• “New Year Aerobatic Smoke” will be displayed in battles on PC only for now (on consoles the functionality will appear in one of the future updates).

The current provided changelog reflects the major changes within the game as part of this Update. Some updates, additions and fixes may not be listed in the provided notes. War Thunder is constantly improving and specific fixes may be implemented without the client being updated.

Snow sparkles in the hangar, so that means it’s time to celebrate New Year in War Thunder. Discounts, sales and special events are waiting for you! Here is a guide to the War Thunder New Year calendar - let’s take a look!

Astonishing aerobatic smoke, animated decorations and decorations for ships! Feel the spirit of the winter holidays!

From December 28th (11:00 GMT) until January 4th (11:00 GMT)


New Year Aerobatic Smoke
Defeat 30 enemy players while controlling aircraft of rank III or higher


Sparkler
Defeat 30 enemy players while controlling ground vehicles of rank III or higher


Snowman
Defeat 5 enemies with torpedoes, while controlling coastal vessel of rank II or higher


New Year Tree
Inflict 50,000 damage while controlling bluewater ships of rank II or higher.

To select aerobatic smoke, go to Settings → Air Battle Settings → Aerobatic smoke type.

Beginning on December 18th (11:00 GMT) until January 11th (07:00 GMT)
The last operation in 2020 offers lavish prizes: two ships, two aircraft, two tanks, ten Pin-up decals and four firearms decorations. It’s all yours for completing simple tasks in random battles!



TAKE PART!

From December 23rd (11:00 GMT) until December 28th (07:00 GMT).
It’s the most wonderful time of the year to try something new for half the regular price!

• 50% off all vehicles in the game
  
• 50% off talismans, back-ups, and modifications
  
• 50% off Premium account for 90 or 365 days in the game store, or 180 days in the Gaijin.Net online store

Discounts work both for Silver Lion and Golden Eagle prices for all vehicles, except those added in the updates “Raining Fire”, “New Power’, and “Hot Tracks”.

Работы принимаются до 8 января (23:59 МСК).

Dress up for the New Year holidays! Welcome to the War Thunder camo contest!
From 24th December 2020 13:00 GMT until 23:59 GMT on the 8th of January, create and post your winter holidays themed camo, and the best entries will win premium vehicles!

How to do it?

1. Create a winter themed vehicle camo (ship, tank, plane or helicopter)
   
2. Upload it on War Thunder LIVE
   
3. Make a social media post about it, with at least one picture of your creation, the #WTChristmas2020 hashtag and a link to your War Thunder Live post

1st Place
Yak-38 or T-72AV (TURMS-T) or Prinz Eugen packs + “New Year Trophy”.


2nd Place
MiG-17AS or AVRE or PG 02 packs + “New Year Trophy”.

3rd Place
One of the starter packs + “New Year Trophy”

10 Judges’ Prizes
“New Year Trophy” — a random decoration and a random decal:

Decals: "Christmas tree" victory marks, Snow maiden, Sledge, Present, Xmas Tree, Xmas Sock, Xmas Rocket or Xmas Clock.
Decorations: Christmas Wreath, Skates, Sleigh, Ski, Teddy Bear (white) or "Teddy Bear (brown).
All winners get a special title “Santa’s Little Helper”.


From December 28th (11:00 GMT) until January 4th (07:00 GMT).
Join New Year special ground and naval battles and get a festive decal “Metal Bull”.



Bring the enemy Christmas tree to your point and secure yours! The special event has three rounds.

Find the floating gifts and bring them to the Christmas tree. First team to collect 3 gifts wins.

One victory in any special event gives you the “Metal Bull” decal.

• The “New Year Rush” is available for ground vehicles of BR’s 4.7-6.7, matching the highest BR vehicle in setup. 7 respawns are available.
  
• The “New Year Delivery” is available for BR’s 1.0 - 2.7 boats and ships. 5 respawns are available.

A 50% discount applies to the following packs till January the 5th:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1108450
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1233370
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1423760
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1233371
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1368800
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1368801
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1368110

https://youtu.be/9QdbsckNpt0
Additions to Dagor Engine that include new vehicle tracks and track effects, updated gunfire for naval and ground vehicles, 3 new helicopters for Italy and 30 new war machines for other countries and many other important changes.


GPU objects on maps and new visual effects of all ground and naval vehicles gunfire.

New vehicle tracks and their effects will become available some time after the major update has been released.


9 new ground vehicles, including Japanese ST-A3 and German Sd.Kfz.251/21

ST-A3



Buccaneer S2, A-7D Corsair II, F-84F and more!

A-7D Corsair II


Buccaneer S.2


New Italian helicopter tree

AB 205 A-1


A.109 EOA-2


A.129CBT Mangusta



7 new vessels, including Heroes of Jutland: HMS Invincible and SMS Von der Tann

HMS Invincible


SMS Von der Tann

FULL LIST OF CHANGES

Share the news with your friends!

The Sd.Kfz. 251/21 was a late war modification of the renowned German WWII-era halftrack. Tankers in War Thunder will soon have the chance to obtain the Sd.Kfz. 251/21 as it arrives in the German SPAAG branch with the next major update “Hot Tracks!”.

In War Thunder, the Sd.Kfz. 251/21 will be a new SPAAG awaiting tankers at the lower ranks of the German ground forces tree in the next major update coming to the game. Acting as the middle ground between the Sd.Kfz. 6/2 and the Wirbelwind, the Sd.Kfz. 251/21 will help players transition from the early light to later, heavier SPAAGs in the German ground forces tree.





The Sd.Kfz. 251/21 is arriving in rank II of the SPAAG branch of the German ground forces tree and will become available to all tankers upon the release of the next major update coming to War Thunder soon. In the meantime, stay tuned to the news as the release of the “Hot Tracks!” incoming update draws nearer. Until then, happy hunting commanders!

Check out the full Dev Blog article here!

The F-84F Thunderstreak is a further development of the preceding Thunderjet, introduced in the early 1950’s. Strongly resembling its predecessor, the F-84F offers improved performance to a somewhat familiar airframe and will await all pilots in the upcoming War Thunder “Hot Tracks” Update!

In War Thunder, the F-84F Thunderstreak will be a new rank V jet fighter making its way to the high ranks of not just the American aviation tree, but also those of the German, French and Italian trees! The Thunderstreak inherits many of its predecessor’s signature features, such as a sizable payload for example, while combining them with improved performance characteristics.





The F-84F Thunderstreak is on final approach and will soon arrive to players’ hangars with the release of the next major update coming to War Thunder very soon. In the meantime, make sure to stay tuned to the news as we continue unveiling what the upcoming update has in store for you. Until then, clear skies and good hunting pilots!

Check out the full Dev Blog article here!

Pola was the last ship of the Zara-class of Italian heavy cruisers to be constructed, intended to serve as the class’ flagship. Soon, this well-known veteran of the Regia Marina will join the ranks of the Italian blue water fleet in War Thunder, docking in player ports with the release of “Hot Tracks”, the next major update!

In War Thunder, Pola will soon be joining the ranks of the Italian bluewater fleet with the release of the next major update coming to the game. Featuring virtually identical characteristics as her sistership Zara, introduced in one of the previous updates, Pola will not only further expand the fleet size of the Italian naval tree, but also offers its prospective captains higher rewards thanks to her premium vessel status.





Pola will soon dock in player ports with the release of the next major War Thunder update, giving seasoned captains the opportunity to add another iconic Italian warship to their in-game collection. In the meantime, keep scanning the horizon for more news regarding the upcoming War Thunder “Hot Tracks” update. Until then, calm seas and good hunting captains!

Check out the full Dev Blog article here!

We present to you the Italian research tree for combat helicopters. Today we will tell you about the first three of them.



This helicopter is a licensed copy of the American UH-1H "Huey", modified for the needs of the Italian army. The AB 205 A-1 is an entry-level multi-role helicopter armed with miniguns and LS FFAR rockets.







In the early 70’s, the Italian aircraft manufacturer Agusta began testing a new multi-purpose helicopter, the A.109, which was originally created for the civilian market, but immediately drew the attention of the military authorities. A.109 EOA-2 is a reconnaissance version, designed to destroy various targets including enemy armored vehicles. In addition to machine-gun pods and rockets, the helicopter can be equipped with four TOW anti-tank missile launchers.







The modern A.129 attack helicopter is successfully used by the Italian armed forces, as well as by a number of foreign operators. The helicopter has excellent flight characteristics, outstanding speed and superb maneuverability. The CBT modification was created from combat experience in modern armed conflicts. The Mangusta is armed with a 20mm autocannon and carries a good arsenal of unguided and guided weapons, including Stinger air-to-air missiles and Hellfire II ATGMs.





The War Thunder Team

• Hang-ups have been fixed for Intel HD 4000 and HD 5000 series graphic cards.

The current provided changelog reflects the major changes within the game as part of this Update. Some updates, additions and fixes may not be listed in the provided notes. War Thunder is constantly improving and specific fixes may be implemented without the client being updated.

Fully armed for the Festivities! We begin the offensive in the main Christmas operation.

From 11:00 GMT on the 18th of December 2020 until 11:00 GMT on the 11th of January 2021
Earn stars by completing the tasks in Operation W.I.N.T.E.R. The more stars - the more prizes including new vehicles, collectible “Pin-up” decals and “Weapon” decorations!

Ro.57 Quadriarma
Rank II, Italy, Premium


E.B.R. 75
Rank III, France, Premium


Type K-8 (1942)
Rank II, Japan, Premium


МiG-21 PFМ
Rank VI, USSR, Event


Class 3 (P)
Rank VI, Germany, Event


USS Baltimore (CA-68)
Rank V, USA, Event

Event vehicles for ranks V-VII, decorations and decals will be issued in the form of coupons and premium vehicles of ranks II-III and camouflages will be immediately activated on the account upon achieving them.

You will receive an award by collecting the specified number of the stars ⭐ on the appropriate vehicle type.



Activate all 9 “Pin-Up” decal coupons on your account to receive a unique “Have a nice flight” decal.

Activate all 4 “Weapon” decoration coupons on your account to get a unique “Machine gun with grenade launcher” decoration.

More about collections on the WT wiki!

To get one Star ⭐ you need to perform any 3 tasks from 5 in random battles (in vehicles of rank III or higher or rank II or higher for fleet). The tasks will not change and will be reset every 2 days at 11:00 GMT.
whilst controlling aircraft (rank III or higher)

• Destroy 40 enemies in AB (20 in RB, 14 in SB).
  
• Win 9 battles (with an activity of 60% or higher).
  
• Drop 10 tons of Bomb TNT on enemy bases in total.
  
• Destroy 12 enemies in one battle (4 in RB, 2 in SB).
  
• Help allies 10 times to destroy enemy vehicles.

whilst controlling ground vehicles (rank III or higher)

• Destroy 50 enemies.
  
• Win 11 battles (with an activity of 70% or higher).
  
• Capture 15 points in ground battles whilst controlling a ground vehicle or helicopter.
  
• Destroy 12 enemies in one battle (6 in RB, 6 in SB).
  
• Help allies 25 times to destroy enemy vehicles.

whilst controlling naval vessels (rank II or higher)

• Cause 30,000 damage whilst controlling a naval vessel.
  
• Win 9 battles (with an activity of 50% or higher).
  
• Capture 7 points in naval battles whilst controlling a vessel or aircraft.
  
• Destroy 5 enemies with torpedoes whilst controlling a vessel or aircraft.
  
• Finish the battle in first place in naval battles.

You can purchase Stars ⭐ with Golden Eagles without even completing a task until January the 14th 2021 in the menu: Nickname → Achievements → Operation W.I.N.T.E.R. → Tasks for tankers/pilots/sailors

• To receive a Star ⭐ you need to complete any 3 tasks from 5 for the respective type of vehicles.
  
• You can complete the tasks in random battles (excluding “Enduring Confrontation” and “Assault”) in vehicles of rank III or higher (rank II or higher in naval). The exact terms of the achievement can be found in the game client by clicking on your nickname → Achievements → Operation W.I.N.T.E.R..
  
• You can follow your progress and see the detailed tasks description by clicking on your nickname → Achievements → Operation W.I.N.T.E.R.
  
• A Star ⭐ will be counted as received if the achievements ★ are coloured gold ⭐.
  
• Performing tasks must be completed with the destruction, and assistance in the destruction of, player controlled vehicles, NOT AI controlled vehicles.
  
• By completing the task “Win 11 times” in combined ground battles, the task will be counted as completed with the type of vehicle in which you finished the battle (ground vehicle or aircraft of the specified rank). By completing the same task in naval battles, the task will always be counted for naval vessels.
  
• Missed Stars ⭐ can be purchased in the Achievement window until the 14th of January 2021. Don't make a mistake in choosing between the group of achievements - pilots, tankers and sailors.
  
• Prizes received in the form of coupons will be available for trading on the market from 15th of January 2021. The time from which the coupon can be traded can be viewed in the game in the coupon description. The option of trading each coupon separately depends on the time of its receipt and doesn’t depend on the vehicle coupon.
  
• From the 23rd of December, PlayStation and Xbox players will be able to exchange decoration and decal coupons for similar ones (you can exchange coupons of the same type). The exchange is available in the “Workshop” - Exchange items “Operation W.I.N.T.E.R.”.