Top tier focus has to be lowered

Game Discussion General Discussion
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Predominant focus on Top-Tier and Lower-Tier neglect

‘Lower-Tiers’ are between 1.0-7.0.

Over the past few years, it’s become increasingly clear that War Thunder’s updates are predominantly focused on the top-tier areas of the game. While this might be exciting for players who have already reached those upper echelons, the reality is that the vast majority of players never even get there. For many, after months or even years of grinding, the top tiers remain out of reach. Yet, we are continuously seeing new content being added primarily for these high-end tiers, which many players may never experience firsthand.

This emphasis on top-tier content is particularly frustrating for those interested in the broader historical spectrum of the game. Many nations, especially the minor ones, still have a lot of pre-war, World War II, Korean War, and Cold War-era vehicles that are yet to be introduced. These are vehicles that could add significant depth and variety to the game, especially for players who enjoy exploring the mid and lower tiers.

A prime example of this neglect is the lack of World War II self-propelled howitzers (SPHs). There are numerous historically significant SPHs from this era that have yet to make an appearance in the game, despite being perfect candidates for inclusion. It’s been about 11 years since the game’s launch, and the addition of these types of vehicles has been minimal at best.

The same issue extends to the aviation aspect of the game. Nations like Italy, France, Japan, and China, among others, have a rich history of unique and indigenous aircraft that are still missing from the game. These planes could bring a fresh dynamic to the aerial battles, particularly at the lower battle ratings (BRs), where many of these nations would have the most to offer. Yet, despite their potential, they remain overlooked in favor of modern jets and high-tech fighters.

Having played War Thunder on console since 2016 and then transitioning to PC for the last six years, I’ve seen this pattern persist. It’s disheartening to think that many of these historical vehicles and aircraft might never be added to the game, despite a significant portion of the player base eagerly waiting for them.

So, I’m curious—would others in the community like to see a stronger representation of the lower BRs, especially where many of the minor nations have the most to contribute? Shouldn’t there be a more balanced approach that caters not just to the top-tier players but to those of us who appreciate the rich history and variety that the lower tiers could bring?

Most exciting part

Including more lower-tier vehicles would not only diversify the game but also contribute to a more balanced experience overall. By adding more content to these tiers, there would be a greater need for BR decompression in these areas, which could significantly improve gameplay for bombers, strike aircraft, and other vehicles that currently struggle. This shift could also open the door for the potential inclusion of even earlier vehicles, such as those from World War I, making the game richer and more historically comprehensive.

Stronger representation of the lower-br’s in War Thunder. Leave in the comments why you chose your answer! :)
  • Yes
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0 voters

Beautiful quotes:

Spoiler
6 Likes
2

Most of the people care about the modern things. Low tier vehicles will not generate anywhere near the hype as the high tier vehicles.
Everybody wants to see fast, cool stuff

5 Likes
3

Then why you think it is?

What do you define as “cool”?

4

There are THOUSANDS of lower BR vehicles that have been implemented since 2013.

Modern vehicles are still a relatively recent addition that, yet, has gathered the interest of the majority of the playerbase.

1 Like
5

I’d say a little bit. It should be 50/50 not right now with 30/70. WW2 still makes up half the trees of the nations ingame (exept israel) and many countries still missing important ww2 equipment e.g. priest, hummel.

4 Likes
6

Well. Let’s compare jets/planes
You have the props that are kinda slow, no missiles and things like that. Then you have the jets that have modern missiles and armaments. They can go supersonic and soo on. My point is that old planes and tanks would not bring so much attention

7

That is because they haven’t been bothered to add such mechanics ingame yet.

A very good example is the radioguided bombs for Germany and Japan, which only a few aircraft have right now.
Also, super props with double props at the front, or push-and-pull vehicles.

Don’t forget the weird looking prototypes as well!

2 Likes
8

The focus on top tier has killed any interest I have in updates since just grinding stuff out takes forever. I’m looking forward to the balance changes and new gameplay additions more than anything.

I want more varied content, having everything be focused on 10.0+ is really annoying if you don’t play/have that BR.

4 Likes
9

I feel you!
I find this the same way - it takes months to reach these tiers with premium time.
I don’t even want to think what it will be for the F2P community…

10

with this garbage BR currently I think next 2 years nothing modern should be added… Add lower tire vehicles they are more fun and balanced. Like Im sick of needing to play only USA in planes to have any fun.

2 Likes
11

Then vote!
Let it be heared.

1 Like
12

If they put an effort into modelling the engine controls and the like for props, they’d be very exciting gameplay.

When Warthunder started, you could see that Gaijin had intended to emphasize the WW2 sim aspect of the game given the introduction of fairly fine engine control as is, even if a lot of it either does nothing or works in faulty manners.

Fun fact: There’s controls for manipulating the magnetos in your prop’s engine.

Props are also much more conductive for air combat maneuvering/basic fighter maneuvers. Your combat relies upon obtaining an energy advantage and potentially stalling out your opponent within less than a kilometer of kill range.

While I don’t play top tier planes, I cannot imagine scanning radar and pressing a button to kill would be anywhere as exciting as a proper dogfight. BVR combat relies far more on technology than prop combat does. This is not to diss modern fighter pilots IRL - given that maneuvering skill requirements were replaced with situational awareness, technological understanding, much longer loiter times & higher G forces (stamina).

3 Likes
13

This, this is what i mean!

BTW, do you know how to work with these magnets?
I’ve tried it but find it very difficult.

14

What do you even consider low tier? Like for example 7.0

15

1.0-7.0. I’ll make it more apperent!

3 Likes
16

ah nice. Maybe we could create a list which iconic vehicles stitll missing. There should be at least 5 for US, DE, USSR, GB, JPN and Italy

e.g.

US: Priest, T88 HMC
DE: Hummel, Stug4, He280
GB: Mosquito bomber variants, Priest, Alvis saladin

2 Likes
17

While I’ve watched videos of people starting up WW2 era props and explaing it all, I’ve never got around to really figuring it all out in WT. From my experience, it’s “set both magnetos all the time” without the actual variance in planes, but I mostly fly american props in sim so maybe other nations have theirs better modelled.

1 Like
18

Japan:

Experimental Gun-Tank (Ko), Ho-Ri : Japanese Jagdtiger
Experimental SPG, the Type 5 Ka-to
Type 95 Jiro-sha

1 Like
19

Magnetos are just to create spark for the ignition system, you pretty much always want to have both on in any aircraft because it gives a slight power increase due to more complete combustion, although the main reason aircraft have two is for redundancy, if one fails you only get a slight power loss rather than engine failure.

Mixture is something that is not really modelled properly in game though, only a few aircraft (like the P-47) benefit from mixture settings other than default.

1 Like
20

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