Protect NEW PLAYERS — Era-based matchmaking: WWII - Cold War learning phase

Game Discussion General Discussion
,
1

This is a General Discussion post to gather community feedback, ideas, and refinement before resubmitting as a formal Suggestion. Your constructive input shapes how this develops.

The Problem

War Thunder isn’t one game but a multiple distinct gameplay with fundamentally different eras and mechanics:

  • Phase 1 (BR 1.0-7.7): WWII, early Cold War. No stabilizers, traditional armor angles, positioning-focused gameplay.
  • Phase 2 (BR 7.7-10.3): Transition era. Stabilizers appear, fire control improves, gameplay shifts toward mobility and range.
  • Phase 3 (BR 10.3+): Modern MBTs, thermals, composite armor, advanced fire control. Entirely different paradigm.

New players learn Phase 1 while facing experienced seal-clubbers (level 100+) with rare event premiums. Result: high attrition among new players before reaching Phase 2 = poor new player retention.

Seal-clubbers farm low tier because matchmaking doesn’t restrict them and there’s no consequence.

Applies to Both Modes

While this post focuses on Ground Battles, the seal-clubbing problem is identical in Air Battles. New pilots face low-tier veterans with rare event aircraft farming kills. Era-based MM would benefit both modes equally.

The Solution

Implement era-based matchmaking with anti-smurf detection:

Stage 1: New Account Protection (Account age 2-6 months)

  • Separate matchmaking for genuinely new accounts
  • BR 1.0-7.7 only (Phase 1 learning)
  • Prevents seal-clubbing during core learning phase
  • Optional (players can opt into general MM anytime)

Stage 2: Era Transition (BR 7.7-10.3)

  • Once players reach BR 7.7, they enter general matchmaking
  • Gradual transition into more complex modern gameplay

Stage 3: Modern Era (BR 10.3+)

  • Full general matchmaking with all player levels

Anti-Smurf Detection System

To prevent experienced players from indefinitely farming new player MM:

High Performers (Detected by consistent metrics):

Detection criteria:

  • Average 2.5+ K/D over 10+ consecutive matches, OR
  • Consistent top 10% match scores

If triggered:

Option A (Genuine Prodigy):

  • System offers: “Congratulations! You’re exceptionally skilled. Join general matchmaking and show what you’ve got to veterans.”
  • Reward: 500k-1M Silver Lions
  • Choice: Accept and graduate, or stay a little longer in new player MM for maximum 1-4 weeks

Option B (Smurf/Bad Faith):

  • Refuses graduation suggestion despite sustained high performance
  • After 1-4 weeks, forced graduation to general matchmaking
  • Account flagged to prevent re-entering new player MM on alts

Backup System: Decorative AI Bots

Historical precedent: Early War Thunder Ground Forces included decorative AI bots in matches as cinematic elements. If new player MM queue times struggle, reintroduce bots to provide matches while protecting new players from seal-clubbing.

Complementary System

This works best paired with tutorial improvements (in-game map callouts, expanded mechanics education). Together: better tutorials + protected MM + era progression = comprehensive new player experience.

Why This Works

  1. Protects genuine new players - seal-clubbers face time limits or early detection
  2. Rewards legitimate skill - talented new players get recognized and SL bonus
  3. Respects player choice - skilled players can graduate voluntarily or stay briefly
  4. Addresses smurfing - consistent high performance triggers forced graduation
  5. Era-based framing - helps new players understand game phases, not gatekeeping

Potential Concerns

  • Queue times: Current queue health is good; 10-30 second wait is acceptable
  • Monetization: This makes new players self-sufficient without premium, but long-term retention benefits the game
(Select up to 4 choices) Should War Thunder implement era-based matchmaking for new players with anti-smurf detection?
  • Yes, protect new accounts for 2-6 months (Phase 1 learning)
  • Yes, but use different account age requirement (specify below)
  • Yes, implement anti-smurf detection separately
  • Yes, add decorative bots for new player matches if queue times suffer
  • No, current system is fine (please explain why, and mention if you frequently play low BR)
  • Other ideas (explain below)
0 voters

Community Input Welcome

What would you adjust? Better smurf detection criteria? Different phase thresholds? Alternative solutions?

2

No

3

Most people don’t even have a KD over 0.5, let alone 1.0

The whole game is this not even just low tier

Do I even have to say it? nvm, account level isn’t even tied to anything but RP gain so wallet warriors with less than even 400-600 hrs can be lvl100

Most people download this game and forget about it for months or even years untill they realize this is in fact a game

1 Like
4

Queue for battle will be quite long - will definitely be longer than 30 seconds. I often see 30 seconds NOW. = issue for player retention.

Don’t see the difference between Stage 2 and Stage 3. You are either in general matchmaking or you are not.

5

Its the new players’ fault for getting baited into buying top tier premiums without knowing anything.
And the devs’ fault for casting the bait.
Most of the high tier premiums are handheld AF so its whateva

6

That’s right but “it doesn’t matter” is exactly the problem. New players shouldn’t have to choose between grinding 200 hours or buying an OP premium. Era-based MM doesn’t fix the monetization, but it gives new players a better fighting chance while they learn without spending

7

Instead of 2-6 months how about the amount of hours? some people are really busy and maybe plays the game 1 hour a day 2-6 months he ain’t gonna learn alot.

1 Like
8

Excellent point. Account age is arbitrary but playtime hours are a better metric. A player with, for example, 100-200 hours of actual gameplay (regardless of account age) would be more reliable🤙

This would separate matchmaking for players under X total playtime hours (developers could determine threshold)

9

Translation: I want my ww2 heavy tank to be it’s own top tier.

Account levels also mean nothing. Current system is the best possible

10

I like the idea of splitting the game into eras, but not like this.

Gaijin need to both decompress the game with more BR brackets and reduce the grind. This would do far more for new players and the overall health of the game.

For example 1.0 to 2.7 is fairly balanced with a few exceptions. However, the uptiers from 2.0 to 3.0/2.3 to 3.3/2.7 to 3.7 can be devastating. So adding an extra BR bracket here would do wonders, as well as moving up some problem vehicles such as the M4A3 105.

The same goes for that 6.7 to 8.7 area, it very quickly goes from late WW2 to post-war to early Cold War. A couple more BR brackets here would help a lot.

Then as I said before is the grind, not just the tech tree grind but the stock grind. There’s nothing worse than having to learn a new vehicle and then have to play it at its worst.