Currently, playing as the Israeli nation in War Thunder is one of the most frustrating experiences in ground battles, especially at high battle ratings (top tier). Despite the fact that Israel, in real life, possesses one of the most advanced armored doctrines in the world and a defense industry known for its innovation and effectiveness often surpassing powers like Russia in several domains in the game, it is reduced to a nation that cannot effectively compete with any of the others at the same tier. This is reflected not only in its consistently low win/loss ratio, but also in the overall underperformance of its high-tier armored vehicles, which simply fail to rival or meet the minimum expectations that any full tech tree should offer.
One of the clearest examples of this lack of care in design and balancing is the Raam Segol, a premium vehicle that seems to have been implemented without any thorough gameplay analysis or structural consistency. This tank suffers from a series of crippling weaknesses that make it nearly unplayable at its current BR of 11.3. Its chassis is extremely vulnerable even non-critical hits can result in instant destruction. Worse still, the ammunition is poorly distributed throughout the vehicle. Instead of being concentrated in a single, somewhat protected compartment (as is the case with many vehicles from other nations), the Raam Segol stores its rounds in two separate ammo racks, drastically increasing the chances of catastrophic detonation upon any penetration.
On top of that, its mobility is underwhelming, making early positioning difficult. Its large profile makes it hard to conceal, and its thermal optics are of such poor quality that engaging enemies at long distances despite having a powerful gun becomes impractical. As a result, its only real advantage is the use of smoke launchers, which is hardly enough to justify its placement at 11.3 BR, especially when compared to premium vehicles from other nations that offer competitive performance, strong armor, or advanced systems.
Even more concerning is the fact that the Merkava Mk.2D a supposedly inferior, older tech tree tank performs significantly better in top tier. The Mk.2D has superior survivability, a more reliable armor layout, and an overall more flexible battlefield presence. That a regular tech tree vehicle can so clearly outperform a premium one intended to represent the pinnacle of Israeli engineering is not only disappointing it is a strong indication that the Israeli tree as a whole is deeply unbalanced.
In summary, the current state of Israel in top tier feels like the result of neglect by the balancing team. This negatively affects not only the experience of players eager to explore this nation, but also the perceived design integrity of the game itself. An urgent review of the Raam Segol’s BR (ideally down to 10.7), an overhaul of its survivability, and a reevaluation of its internal ammo placement are all warranted. On a broader level, the role of Israel in the top-tier ground meta needs serious reconsideration. If War Thunder truly aims to represent the historical and technological capabilities of each nation accurately, then Israel deserves to be on par with the real-life military legacy it has earned.
Comparing the thermal camera with other Tier 11.0 and Tier 10.7 vehicles
Puma (11.0):
Birshma (10.7):
T-72AV TURMS-T (10.3):
Cristian II (10.7)
Analysis of protection against ammunition of the T-72 3BM22:
Shoot in Chasis:
Turret shooting:
