My progression since starting (17.03.2013) Lets brainstorm ideas to improve the Player Card!

[Tubby_Vermin]

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 12 years, 1 month, and 19 days since I first joined War Thunder on April 17, 2013. Looking back, it has been an incredible journey one filled with countless battles, strategic victories, and an ever-growing passion for the game.

Before War Thunder, I spent my time immersed in titles like World of Warcraft (WoW) and World of Tanks (WoT), both of which provided amazing experiences. But eventually, I found myself craving something new—something that would reignite my excitement and challenge me in fresh ways. That’s when War Thunder came along, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Since then, I’ve poured hours into mastering the game, collecting vehicles, and engaging with the community. A quick look at my player card will show just how much time and dedication I’ve invested. I’ve built an impressive collection over the years, securing a vast array of aircraft, tanks, and naval vessels. But as any true collector knows, there are always a few elusive vehicles that remain just out of reach.

That’s why I’ve set myself a goal—to acquire every possible vehicle in the game. It’s a challenge, but one that keeps me motivated and always pushing forward.

Now, I’d love to turn this into a conversation with the community. If you’re a fellow War Thunder enthusiast, let’s see your player card! Show off your rarest and most prized vehicles, and let’s celebrate the collections that make our time in the game even more special. Have you managed to secure some of the vehicles I’m still chasing? Let’s talk about our experiences, our triumphs, and the ongoing thrill of the hunt.

Here’s a breakdown of each Nation in detail

United States of America

Ground

Helicopters

Aviation

Bluewater

Coastal

I will continue to add each nation to this thread as I progress (take about 30 mins to cut and paste and put together) Let’s ensure that our discussion remains constructive and positive.

[Tubby_Vermin]

After all those years of playing War Thunder, I’ve experienced the evolution of the game first-hand. As I reflect on my progression, I believe there is an opportunity to improve how the player card and UI represent a player’s journey. I would like to open a constructive discussion on potential enhancements to the system that could enrich the sense of progression and personalization for every player.

Some ideas for General improvement:

• Customizable Player Identity: The ability to select a character body type (male or female), choose a uniform representing your preferred nation, and showcase earned medals within the game.
• Revamped Progression System: A more dynamic progression that better reflects achievements and milestones.
• Prestige Feature: The option to prestige with your rank, unlocking additional customization options such as new backgrounds, frames, and player icons.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Below is a poll with various potential improvements—please share your input and ideas.

Which enhancements would you like to see in War Thunder’s player progression system?

• Character customization (body type, uniform selection, medal showcase)
• A redesigned progression system with more meaningful milestones
• Prestige system with exclusive backgrounds, frames, and icons
• Other (please share your ideas in the comments)

[Magikッ]

Here’s to another 13 years. There is no escape.

[山_田_凉]

If your thread is asking the question of the title, there is only one answer. In fact, the overwhelming majority of the War Thunder community agrees upon this simple solution.

Revert player card to the state before November 2024.

There is no question that the new profile interface, which Gaijin has undemocratically implemented for half a year now, is shit. It is less informative, less detailed, and completely soul-less. In spite of massive community opposition to this, Gaijin kept the change. Citing “modern looks”, “technical impossibility of reversion”, etc, in just one, singular, Dec. 2024 reflection. From BVVD, no less. Upon analysis, it seems to be another instance of corporate simplification, so common in the modern age, the death of the War Thunder Wiki. If you are to talk about “change” or “improvement”, there is no conversation to be had without this.

[shacortes-psn]

To be honest, I think they should increase the difficulty to getting to Level 100 as I reached it in half a year give or take. A Level 100 is nothing to the veterans that are here but to newer players it’s like seeing a veteran when in reality they might not be by far (my case). I am bad at the game and am Level 100. Such a level gives off the feeling of it meaning that the player you’re facing is better than you or your partner might be better (when they maybe are not). Of course there’s isolated cases, there’s always isolated cases. The only thing that truly reveals one’s veteran-ship is a title like Cavalier of the order of the red star and similar titles which in no way mean they’re better than you or not. Of course you can look at the statistics and service record, but when you’re in a battle you don’t glance at them for too much time. So yeah, I think it should be more challenging. I also think they should add a bit more data on the statistics tab and service record one as there are some tanks that are not fully specialized at killing tanks (Enemy Kill Assists) might have to divide them in two since the scouted targets count as EKAs too. And other things that have been suggested before. Also, the planes on the realistic battles page show ground targets both player and AI and it gives a erroneous value to the player checking them out.

[Tubby_Vermin]

I understand where you’re coming from. The November 2024 player card update certainly wasn’t received well, and a lot of players myself included miss the depth and clarity the old system provided. While Gaijin has cited technical reasons for not reverting it, that doesn’t mean we should stop pushing for meaningful improvements.

If a full rollback isn’t feasible, perhaps a compromise could be reached. What if we pushed for an expanded player card customization system something that restores key information from the old format while allowing for new elements that enhance individual progression? That way, we wouldn’t be stuck with a soulless UI, but instead have a system that players actually feel connected to.

At the very least, Gaijin needs to acknowledge the community’s dissatisfaction with the current state of player cards. If they want engagement, they need to work with players rather than making unilateral changes and ignoring feedback.

What would be your ideal balance between restoration and innovation be?

[Tubby_Vermin]

Level 100 isn’t necessarily representing experience or skill. Right now, it’s more of a time-gated milestone rather than a true reflection of a player’s expertise, which can lead to some misleading assumptions in battle.

I agree that making level progression more challenging would help distinguish veteran players, but how do you see that working? Would it be tied to actual performance metrics, like K/D ratio, total victories, or some kind of skill-based ranking system?

Another angle to consider is prestige leveling, where high-level players could “reset” their rank in exchange for exclusive unlocks like player card frames, backgrounds, or unique titles. That way, it wouldn’t just be about hitting 100, but about continuing to prove your mastery beyond that.

Your take on service record improvements is spot-on though. Some vehicles, particularly scout tanks, don’t get fully represented in stats, and refining that data display could make it easier to gauge a player’s actual strengths and weaknesses.

[LeChance]

Advancing your levels can be done various ways if I recall. Making purchases will advance a player’s level. I think I got to level 100 in about 7 - 8 months back in 2014 when I started, but I played a LOT too . . .lol.
I would like to see the player level extended out to at least 250, but 500 would be much better. Once you get past level 100 there should only be ONE way to advance tho, completed games . . . nothing else. Every game a player starts and plays to it’s conclusion would receive advancement of his level. That would be the only parameter and reflect on a player’s participation and experience far more than the current system does.
I would also add vehicle rewards for reaching certain levels. If it is extended to 250, then rewards at 50 level intervals . . 150, 200 & 250. Should it be extended to 500 levels, then something also appropriate and/or prorated accordingly.

Long time players should also get “automatic” level advancement as we have put in the work already and it should show. I, for example have been playing for over 11 years and have over 63k completed missions in Arcade along(yeah it’s my main mode . . lol) so an automatic advancement to level 250 or 500 would seem already earned. Tubby would also be eligible for the max level too I am sure.
And newer players would still get some advancement, those not yet to level 100 would have to do the work and earn their way up . . . just like all players in the past have been doing all along anyway.

It would be a BIG QoL improvement, add a lot for players to do/work for and some decent vehicle, and whatever else they might add, rewards would be the cherry on top.
Everybody wins . . . . seems like anyway . . . lol
Just a thought on my part and something that could be worked out somehow if they wanted to . . . that’s just a “napkin blueprint” I threw out there anyway.

[RunaDacino]

@Tubby_Vermin

Level 100 isn’t necessarily representing experience or skill. Right now, it’s more of a time-gated milestone rather than a true reflection of a player’s expertise, which can lead to some misleading assumptions in battle.

Even worse, it’s tied to rank. If you mostly fly propeller planes you’ll be progressing quarter to half as fast as someone who always flies their highest unlocked aircraft.

My 1 hour of flying in a non-premium prop in SB gives me ~10K RP. You can get that in 10 minutes without premium with jets if you get 2-3 kills.

@Tubby_Vermin

Your take on service record improvements is spot-on though. Some vehicles, particularly scout tanks, don’t get fully represented in stats, and refining that data display could make it easier to gauge a player’s actual strengths and weaknesses.

I’d love if assists were tracked, especially in perspective of air modes. You can easily score a kill-shot that completely and utterly defeats an enemy (cut off enough lifting surface to cause them to lose control, torch them in a way they’ll never put out without EPS and even EPS will leave them with an engine that’s gonna seize in a few moments) but not receive “severe damage” due to technicalities.

@Tubby_Vermin

Customizable Player Identity: The ability to select a character body type (male or female), choose a uniform representing your preferred nation, and showcase earned medals within the game.

This appeals most to me. Would be extra cool if you could customize your pilot model in SB with this especially (you rarely see it, but in some planes you get reflective enough instruments to see your pilot’s face), but just a custom pfp ala EVE online or Elite: Dangerous would be cool too.