Expand Infantry to All Nations: National Tech Trees, Era-Specific Camos, Authentic Patches & Dynamic Matchmaking

Game Discussion Infantry mode (WiP)
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Hi everyone!

Like a lot of you, I was super hyped testing out the recent infantry mechanics. Having boots on the ground alongside tanks and jets adds an incredible layer to combined arms, and honestly, it has massive potential.

That said, restricting it to just a rigid “US vs. USSR/Russia” East vs. West setup feels like a huge missed opportunity. War Thunder’s absolute best feature is its massive roster of 10 different nations, each with its own iconic military doctrine, weapons, and distinctive look.

I really think infantry should be expanded into dedicated Tech Trees for all 10 nations, complete with nation-specific weapons, authentic uniforms, official military patches, and dynamic matchmaking. Here’s how I think this could work and why it would be amazing for the game!

1. 10 National Tech Trees & Dynamic Matchmaking

Instead of generic or faction-locked loadouts, every country in the game should get its own infantry tree progressing through Battle Ratings (BRs):

  • USA: M16/M4 series, XM7 Spear, M249 SAW, Javelin/SMAW.
  • Germany: G36, HK416, MG3, Panzerfaust 3.
  • Great Britain: SA80 series (L85A2/A3), L7A2, NLAW.
  • China: QBZ-95, QBZ-191, PF-98.
  • Sweden, France, Japan, Italy, Israel: Domestic small arms and AT launchers (FAMAS/HK416F, Type 20, Ak-5, Galil, Tavor/Spike, etc.).

Matchmaking: We shouldn’t lock team setups into strict Cold War blocks. Matchmaking should just mirror Ground RB/AB/SB—nations can ally or fight against each other depending on the game mode and BR bracket (e.g., Germany & UK vs. USA & Japan).

2. Nation-Specific Uniforms & Camouflage (The “Drip” Factor)

Visual identity is a massive part of what makes War Thunder fun. Giving each faction their authentic combat gear doesn’t just look awesome, it also makes Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) in Sim and Realistic modes much more intuitive.

Imagine running around with these iconic camos and setups:

  • 🇩🇪 Germany: Iconic Flecktarn and Tropentarn, with KSK-spec plate carriers.
  • 🇸🇪 Sweden: The legendary M90 Splinter camo—easily one of the coolest patterns in military history.
  • 🇮🇱 Israel: Olive Drab combat fatigues paired with the iconic Mitznefet helmet cover for that instantly recognizable silhouette.
  • 🇺🇸 USA: OCP, MARPAT, and classic 3-Color Desert with FAST helmets and IR mounts.
  • 🇷🇺 Russia: EMR (Digital Flora), Partizan/KLMK, Ratnik suits, and Altyn or 6B47 helmets.
  • 🇬🇧 Great Britain: MTP and classic DPM with Virtus body armor.
  • 🇨🇳 China: Type 19 “Starry Sky” (Woodland, Desert, Urban) and legacy Type 07.
  • 🇫🇷 France: CCE and Daguet desert camo with FÉLIN integrated helmet optics.
  • 🇯🇵 Japan: JGSDF Type 3 Dot camo.

3. Authentic Unit Patches & 3D Gear Customization

Just like sticking decals and 3D decorators on our tanks, infantry customization would be a game-changer:

  • Unit Patches: Shoulder patches for famous divisions and special forces (e.g., 75th Rangers, 101st Airborne, VDV, Spetsnaz, SAS, KSK, French Foreign Legion).
  • Tactical Gear: IR national flags, blood type tags, and night-vision identification markers on helmets/shoulders.
  • 3D Helmet & Vest Accessories: Night vision goggles (PVS-31, Quad-nods), tactical goggles, strobes, radios, sidearm holsters, and camo tape wrapped around your rifle.

4. Why This Makes Sense for Gaijin Too

I know developing full trees takes work, but this makes a ton of sense from a developer standpoint:

  1. Massive Monetization Potential: Premium elite squads (e.g., US Navy SEALs Pack, UK Royal Marines Pack, Spetsnaz VDV Pack) bundled with unique weapon variants, camos, and titles.
  2. Golden Eagle & Battle Pass Fillers: Rare unit patches, special camouflage patterns, and 3D helmet/vest decorators would sell like hotcakes.
  3. Attracting New FPS Players: This could bring in a massive crowd from tactical FPS games like Squad, ArmA, or Insurgency straight into War Thunder’s ecosystem.

Conclusion

Moving away from a simple “East vs. West” placeholder and giving every nation its own infantry tree with authentic uniforms and gear would make infantry a permanent, thriving part of War Thunder’s combined arms gameplay.

What do you guys think? In your opinion, what should Gaijin prioritize first to make this mode as good as it can possibly be?

Future Idea - Concept Images

“I have another relatively good idea that I will explain later in another topic, but I will post some concept images; maybe you will like them.”

EARLY CONCEPT
EARLY CONCEPT3200×1800 1.36 MB

  • Yes
  • No
  • Maybe
0 voters
1 Like
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Oh I thought that would be the case that we’ll get more factions added over time. Gajin is really planning adding just two blocks?

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It is still, in WIP, that is why they are saying themselves that they are limiting it to US/Russia.
But in the future, we can be looking forwards to other war times ,such as the Vietnam, and other nations.
We shouldn’t forget that we are still only in a closed Beta rn.

Imagine a Ukraine/ Russia gamemode, T-84 vs T-90M at long range, with Arena not working, complex SPH/MLRS gameplay, and trench wars. hell yeah

2 Likes
4

This is how they tested tanks at the start of that cbt. They started with russia and USA and expanded from there. As of now there is no reason to think they would limit themselves to just these two nations.

2 Likes
5

Honestly, the infantry mode loadouts currently look like a US vs. Soviet/Russia matchup. Really hope they expand it to other factions soon!

6

Infantry is in early closed beta testing, wishlisting for new additions
at this point is kinda . . . way ahead of the game.

It will take time, most likely a LOT of time. There are so many things that
they COULD do, but for now, best thing to do is play what is put forth,
report any/all bugs that you see in the “current” version of the mode.

That way they can fix things as they go and not cram way too much
stuff into the mode before it is ready . . . that’s exacly what the
“closed beta testing” is all about. It is NOT a finished product.

It is a work in progress and not ready for release . . . that’s when your
suggestions might be useful, until then . . . focus on the game at hand.

Pro Tip . . . .

1 Like
7

XM8 😏

XM7 is dead in the water rn

1 Like
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This is a completely new game mode, with tons of new content and mechanics that the devs have worked on for a long time. like all other modes (naval, ground, air etc.) it will take a while to add content for other nations.
I think gaijin’s current process is to completely finish two trees (USSR and US) and possibly add other trees later, to test the mechanics first.

1 Like
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I thought the XM7 was already mostly complete and got the M7 designation?

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Nah, it’s on it’s way to be replaced by XM8 in the near future