In, the current ±1.0 BR matchmaking system creates major balance problems, especially in Air RB, where a single BR step can represent a massive technological jump between aircraft.
The main argument against reducing matchmaking spread to ±0.7 is usually the fear of increasing queue times. However, in practice, a ±0.7 system would greatly improve gameplay without necessarily harming matchmaking times in any significant way.
Why ±1.0 Matchmaking Is Problematic
Performance gaps are simply too large
In War Thunder, a 1.0 BR difference can mean:
- huge speed differences;
- much better climb rates;
- superior energy retention;
- stronger weaponry;
- or even access to missiles and newer aircraft generations.
As a result, some aircraft become completely unable to:
- catch enemies;
- disengage from fights;
- control engagements;
- or even properly use their intended playstyle.
When an aircraft can neither engage nor disengage effectively, player skill becomes secondary to raw aircraft performance.
Full uptiers create frustrating gameplay
Many players spend entire sessions constantly facing full uptiers against aircraft that massively outperform them.
This leads to:
- quick deaths;
- one-sided engagements;
- feelings of helplessness;
- and much more passive gameplay.
Instead of rewarding positioning and skill, players often end up simply trying to survive.
New players suffer the most from the current system
This is probably one of the biggest issues.
A new player:
- barely understands energy fighting;
- doesn’t know aircraft strengths and weaknesses;
- is still learning aiming and positioning;
- and is already dealing with a steep learning curve.
But with ±1.0 matchmaking, they can also face aircraft that are objectively superior in almost every way.
This creates matches where:
- they do not even understand why they died;
- they struggle to get kills;
- and they feel like their aircraft is useless.
On the other hand, a ±0.7 matchmaking system would provide:
- fights between more comparable aircraft;
- more opportunities to succeed;
- more kills for beginners;
- and a much more beginner-friendly experience overall.
A new player who manages to get kills and understand their mistakes is far more likely to continue playing than someone who gets repeatedly destroyed by aircraft they realistically cannot compete against.
Why ±0.7 Matchmaking Would Be Better
More balanced fights
With ±0.7 matchmaking:
- speed differences would stay more reasonable;
- aircraft would retain coherent gameplay roles;
- and engagements would depend more on pilot skill than raw stats.
Players would feel that:
- their decisions matter;
- mistakes are punished fairly;
- and they can genuinely influence the outcome of a fight.
More aircraft would become viable
Currently, many aircraft are perfectly balanced at their exact BR but become extremely weak in full uptiers.
A ±0.7 system would reduce:
- aircraft that suffer unnecessarily;
- vehicles that are only viable in downtiers;
- and unhealthy “meta” aircraft dominating entire BR ranges.
This would allow much greater aircraft variety and improve overall enjoyment.
Queue times would probably not increase significantly
This is the main concern developers usually mention: reducing BR spread could increase queue times.
But realistically:
- War Thunder has a massive playerbase;
- many BR brackets are already highly populated;
- and most players would gladly wait a few extra seconds for fairer and more enjoyable matches.
More importantly, better match quality would likely improve player retention:
- less frustration;
- fewer rage quits;
- more new players staying in the game;
- and a healthier long-term player population overall.
A slightly longer queue for significantly better matches is often preferable to instant queues with frustrating gameplay.
A great temporary solution until BR decompression happens
The core issue remains BR compression in.
Aircraft from vastly different technological generations are placed far too close together.
A full BR decompression takes time:
- hundreds of aircraft would need adjustments;
- economies would need rebalancing;
- and multiple game modes would require changes.
A ±0.7 matchmaking spread would therefore be a simple and immediate improvement to:
- overall balance;
- gameplay enjoyment;
- new player experience;
- and long-term match quality.
Conclusion
The current ±1.0 matchmaking system often creates fights where performance differences are simply too large for player skill alone to compensate. This especially hurts:
- average aircraft;
- casual players;
- and most importantly, new players.
A ±0.7 matchmaking system would provide:
- fairer battles;
- greater aircraft diversity;
- more kills and learning opportunities for beginners;
- a more welcoming experience;
- and gameplay more focused on piloting skill.
And contrary to common concerns, it would not necessarily create problematic queue times, especially for a game with a playerbase as large as War Thunder’s.