In this digest we would like to tell you about our continuing work on improvements and fixes in the game.





There are many reasons why attention to your person may not be desirable. For example if you are a streamer and don’t want to be stream-sniped. Or maybe you are just an active player with thousands of annoying “fans”?

Now there is a solution to all of these problems in War Thunder! A whole range of functionality specifically for “go into the shadow zone”.

Game settings → Main parameters → Privacy and Confidentiality

In this menu you will find the settings which are related to your accessibility to the entire War Thunder community. The most noteworthy is the “Show instead of nick” function.

The nickname shown in this window will replace your real nickname in all places where it can be displayed, but only for you. For an outsider, a random nickname of letters and numbers will be generated each time you are in the battle. The only thing that can be saved in your nickname is the squadron tag.

Other settings are quite obvious and PC/Mac/Linux players with an active premium account can use the “Privacy and Confidentiality”.

Play with comfort but remember — even this feature will not allow you to escape from punishment for violating the game rules. Complaints against such players will come as before and on the server side and in the replays the real nickname will remain.





This change is something you’ve been asking for, for a long time. Aircraft for streak flights in the Ground Arcade battles sometimes might be inadequate in terms of flight and combat characteristics towards their opponents on the ground.

You’ve noticed that, we’ve noticed that, and now are happy to present updated aircraft and weapons for air combat in Ground AB. Now, starting from Battle rating 7.3, streak aircraft are much better suited to the BR of the battle, similarly with their armament. See the full list of vehicles available in the changelog for the update.

Enjoy top guns both on the ground and in the air!





While one of the more recent game modes is gaining steam, we continue to make it better. You’ve reported instant start of the ground battles in close proximity to your helicopter, with AA guns running rampant immediately.

These reports are now acted on. Now you will have time to regroup from a dangerous zone, since the AA guns and vehicles will not be firing at will at their spawn.





When the game balancer is looking for a battle that suits you best, you may Alt+Tab the game window to cast an eye on something else. Some time ago, the join session signal disappeared, and players might find themselves on the battlefield when the fight is already raging.

The annoying bug is located and immediately terminated for good. Hope now you’ll be ready for a battle in time.



For this digest we have prepared a large set of useful fixes and game improvements. Be sure to read the full list below - there are many interesting things.

Once again, many thanks for all your bug reports that you submitted using our special service.

• A bug has been fixed that allowed installation of naval decorations on ground vehicles (report).
  
• A bug has been fixed where after turret traverse drive repair the visual model of the turret on some vehicles was aligned directly forward (report).

• A bug has been fixed that prevented air-to-air missile launch while the IRST lock-on was enabled.
  
• A bug has been fixed where hover mode could be disabled when switching to the “Controls” menu.
  
• Ki-61/100 (all versions) — effects of high-speed airflow to the rudders were reduced in order to make a pull-out easier.
  
• JA 37 С — calibre of countermeasures has been set to 55mm (report).
  
• Wirraway — separate bomb drop has been added in accordance with “Wirraway Operation Instructions”.

• The delay between the start of the ground battle and activation of the AA guns has been increased. Players now have more time to react to the battle and leave a dangerous area.

• A bug has been fixed where the reload time of hydroplanes landed on allied water capture points was equal to the reload time in mid-air, instead of the airfield reload time.
  
• USS Arizona — a bug has been fixed where AI gunners weren’t firing the main calibre guns at the enemy.

• The setup of aircraft and helicopters in Ground Arcade battles has been reworked and complemented:
  -One aircraft setup in the BR range of 7.3+ has been changed to three setups in the ranges of 7.3-8.3, 8.7-9.7 and 10.0+.
  -One helicopter setup in the BR range of 9.0+ has been changed to two setups in the ranges of 8.0-9.0 and 9.3+;
  -Aircraft and aircraft weapon setups at BR 7.0 and below have been partially updated.
  
• A bug has been fixed that prevented the found session notification sound in background mode.

• A bug has been fixed that caused turret twitch while switching from the commander’s sight to 3rd person view (report).

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.

Open new stages and get unique premium combat vehicles, as well as tons of prizes: decals, 3D decorations, profile icons and a unique loading screen and title!

April 27th — July 27th
Battle Pass Season 7

Every season there are a new set of awards. See the full list in the Battle Pass tab in the hangar, or check out our Wiki:

Season 7 awards and Challenges

Here are the award vehicles for season 7:

Britain, III rank, Premium.

The British Battle-class destroyer wields an outstanding short-range AA battery and main caliber guns grouped on the ship’s fore.



France, III rank, Premium.

The reconnaissance version of the American P-51 Mustang piston engined fighter in service with the French air force. High max speed and shredding .50’s in the wings!



Germany, IV rank, Premium

Elefant is one of the best WWII self-propelled guns. Modernized from the Ferdinand SPG, this armored monster now has a forward machine gun and even better protection at the hull’s front.


















“Tanker in a gas mask”

Beginning this season, I-II rank award vehicles are replaced with Premium account offers that are useful for both newcomers, and seasoned veterans.


Battle Pass is a seasonal event during which you will earn progress points and use them to open new levels. Each opened level brings you a valuable reward, from Silver Lions and boosters to exclusive season prizes: decorations, profile icons and premium vehicles.

Open new stages and get awards at any time during the season.

You can access the “Battle Pass” window through the promo block on the right side of the hangar screen.

Play

• You get progress points every day for entering the game.
  
• From 1 to 5 points.

Complete Battle Tasks

• See Battle Task descriptions in the game and get progress points for completing them.
  
• From 2 to 5 points.

Complete Season Challenges

• Season Challenges are very similar to Battle Tasks. One Challenge is available at the season’s start. Every week you get another one or two challenges, three more can be unlocked by opening stages.
  
• 30 points.

Learn more about the Battle Pass

And here is the main prize for the new season of the War Thunder Battle Pass called “Armored Elephant” - meet the German heavy tank destroyer Elefant!


Features:

• Accurate and deadly 88 mm gun
  
• Good frontal protection
  
• Premium

The Elefant self-propelled gun is the main prize in the new season of the War Thunder Battle Pass, which, thanks to our heavyweight, has been named the “Armored Elephant''. This is a premium rank IV vehicle in the German ground vehicle tech tree. So, the Elefant is an improved version of the Ferdinand self-propelled gun, one of the most common vehicles in the mid-rank German setup. Why do players love the Ferdinand so much? It's simple - It has a very effective, fast firing 88 mm gun with familiar and forgiving ballistics, accompanied by very thick armor on the front of the casemate and hull which allows this SPG to withstand the vast majority of kinetic rounds at its rank. The vehicle performs excellently when engaging at long range, where it is almost invulnerable. This positioning additionally ensures that a successful flanking maneuver against the Elefant is extremely unlikely.



The Elefant is ensured to become a firm favorite for fans of German armor! The gun, ammunition and powerful armor, familiar from the Ferdinand, are complemented by a number of improvements. A machine gun for the radio-operator has been installed on the upper frontal plate of the hull, which can be used to designate targets for your allies. The 100-mm armor plate itself has been reinforced with 50-mm of additional armor surrounding the newly installed machinegun, as well as sections of spare tracks protecting the weaker, sloping parts of the upper hull - a weak spot all too familiar to seasoned Ferdinand commanders. It is very important to mention that this capable vehicle also offers Premium bonuses - it speeds up the research of any German armored vehicle between the ranks of I-V and of course allows you to earn an increased amount of Silver Lions.



This armored German Elephant will be the main prize in the new War Thunder Battle Pass season. Soon we will be announcing the full list of stages, rules and prizes of the new season - stay tuned!

The reconnaissance version of the legendary American P-51 Mustang fighter in service with the French Air Force will be one of the main prizes in the new Battle Pass season!


Features:

• Good flight characteristics
  
• .50 Brownings in the wings
  
• Lacks suspended weapons
  
• Premium

F-6C-10-NT reconnaissance fighters were converted from serial P-51C-10-NT Mustangs by installing photographic equipment. The version of the F-6C-10-NT fighter, supplied under the Lend-Lease to the French Air Force, will be one of the main prizes of the new season of the War Thunder Battle Pass!

P-51 Mustang fighters are well known to our pilots, and one could hardly find a battle in the low or mid ranks, where these fast and maneuverable aircraft are not used. The F-6C-10-NT has no suspended armament and is designed to destroy primarily fighters and attack aircraft. Four heavy "Brownings" in the wings have a total ammo capacity of 1260 rounds, which is usually enough for a medium duration battle.



The Mustang feels most comfortable at medium and high altitudes, so experienced pilots often use this fighter for “boom n zoom” tactics: the aircraft has a good climb rate, high maximum speed and a construction strong enough for high loads. In mixed combat, the Mustang is not as effective as cannon and strike fighters, but it can be used to hunt enemy aircraft and destroy lightly armored ground vehicles. The fighter responds to the controls well and calmly engages in duels.



At its rank in the French aviation lineup, the F-6C-10-NT will become one of the fastest aircraft. Its premium status will allow you to research French aviation of low and medium ranks faster. You can get the F-6C-10-NT for free for completing the stages of the new season of the War Thunder Battle Pass, which will start in the game in a few days. Details about the rules and prizes of the new season will be announced very soon, stay tuned!

Commanders, we invite you to another round of naval battles in the Enduring Confrontation game mode. This time, we’ve added all of the existing EC missions into the rotation: Dover Strait, Saipan, Port Moresby, Malta and Denmark.


Naval confrontation will be available until the 25th of April, but testing may end earlier if we need to fix some bugs.

• A bug has been fixed that made the Mission Editor unavailable for the following aircraft: A-10A, A-10A Late, F-104S.ASA, Su-22UM3K (Germany), MiG-23MLA (Germany), J-8B, Mirage F1C, Kfir C.2.
  
• You are now able to purchase the April chest and the key in bulk of up to 100 pieces.
  
• An option of skipping the April chest animation has been introduced.

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.

The Battle-class destroyer HMS Cadiz comes to War Thunder as one of the main prizes in the upcoming new season of the Battle Pass!


Features:

• All main calibre guns are grouped the ship’s fore.
  
• Effective anti-air defence.
  
• 10 torpedoes.

The premium destroyer HMS Cadiz will become the third Battle-class ship in the game, she will be available in the new season of the Battle Pass, which will start in War Thunder very soon. The British Battle-class destroyers are known as one of the best in the game due to the forward placed main guns, a solid air defence battery and 10 torpedoes in two five-tube launchers. Cadiz is a typical representative of her class! Both turrets of the main calibre guns are located in the forward part of the deck, which gives the ship an advantage in face-off attacks and breakthroughs to the front. The 114mm cannons offer a good balance between rate of fire and damage, the commander can choose from semi-armour-piercing and several types of high-explosive fragmentation shells. The most effective are probably the radio fuse rounds, which produce a larger number of fragments upon detonation and can be successfully used against aircraft.



Unlike Armada and Tobruk, which are considered to be very well protected from air attacks, the destroyer Cadiz has even more numerous short- and medium-range automatic anti-aircraft artillery: four twin Bofors guns assisted by 6 single mounts - a total of 14x40-mm guns! In battles in which Cadiz will participate, it would be wise to set the AI auto guns to fire on both air and surface targets, wrecking havoc to both boats and aircraft. The gun orchestra is complemented by two five-tube torpedo launchers, which are located in the middle of the deck.



The premium Cadiz destroyer is great for capturing points and energetic gameplay in the very centre of the location. The ship will be a perfect addition to any naval setup at medium and high ranks. The new British destroyer, along with other unique vehicles, will be one of the main prizes of the upcoming new season of the Battle Pass. Details to be announced soon!

In this digest we would like to tell you about our continuing work on improvements and fixes in the game.





Every installed modification on your ship makes her better, however some of them might not work in Arcade battles. We have fixed a bug that prevented some seakeeping modifications from their effect, such as “Dry docking”, “Rudder replacement”, “Propeller replacement”, “Engine maintenance”..

Thanks to your reports we managed to localise and fix the bug.





The ballistic calculator with the CCRP (Constantly Computed Release Point) mode provides much help for pilots of modern aircraft. Unfortunately, there were few bugs with that system. For example, the release area might be activated by itself just by launching a missile, or it could not be turned off after locking on an aerial target. Both bugs are locked on and destroyed.

To learn more about your vehicle equipment, including the ballistic calculator, make sure to visit the War Thunder Wiki often!





Our in-house built Dagor graphic engine gets better over and over again! Have you encountered an issue where distant surfaces might turn black on low resolution graphic settings? This one is fixed now!





Chinese components have become better again. We have increased the magnification of the Chinese sights for some MBTs.

Four up-to-date Chinese tanks - ZTZ96A, ZTZ96A (P), ZTZ99-II and ZTZ99-III - get improved optics, from fixed 8x to variable 6x-11x. Players did an awesome job compiling data from various sources to make it happen. Thank you! Shoot sharp!



For this digest we have prepared a large set of useful fixes and game improvements. Be sure to read the full list below - there are many interesting things.

Once again, many thanks for all your bug reports that you submitted using our special service.

• M113A1 (TOW), M113A1 (TOW), Swingfire, Type 75 MLRS, RakJPz 2, RakJPz 2 (HOT) — a bug has been fixed where selecting the AA gun in the radial menu disabled the missile launchers.
  
• Missing animation of empty cartridges has been restored.
  
• ZTZ96A, ZTZ96A (P) — sight magnification has been increased from 8х to 6х-11х. The generation of the gunner’s thermal imager has been changed from first to second. Source: compilation of the players’ feedback; data on the Al-Khalid tank with similar targeting equipment (report).
  
• ZTZ99-II, ZTZ99-III — sight magnification has been increased from 8х to 6х-11х. Source: compilation of the players’ feedback; data on the Al-Khalid tank with similar targeting equipment (rеport).
  
• BMP-1 — wave shield and position of the missile in the hangar have been fixed.
  
• Magach 6A — BR has been reduced in all gaming modes from 8.0 to 7.7.
  
• M3A3 Stuart — mass of the tank has been adjusted from 12.6 t to 14 t (report)
  
• M163, M113A1 (TOW), CM25, ASRAD-R — material of the side skirts has been corrected from construction steel to rubber fabric.
  
• PUMA — a bug has been fixed that led to ammunition disappearance from the hull ammo racks after destruction of the ammo in the turret’s rear.
  
• LAV-AD — rate of fire of the 25mm GAU-12U gun has been adjusted from 2,200 rpm to 1,800 rpm. (report)
  
• LAV-AD — a bug has been fixed where the HE round was dubbed in the shell list in the protection analysis menu.
  
• Lvkv 9040C — name of the radar has been fixed in the x-ray mode.
  
• Zachlam Tager — a bug has been fixed with missing data on the elevation drive speed and targeting angles of the missile launcher in the xray mode.
  
• FV102 Striker — a bug has been fixed with missing data on the explosives type and TNT equivalent on the info cards of the missiles (report)
  
• A bug has been fixed due to which it was possible to control the ATGM via the AA machine gun sight: T-55AM-1, Т-55AMD-1, Т-62M-1, Т-64B, Т-72B (1989), Т-72B3, 2S25M, XM803, MBT-70, KPz-70, M60A2, M551, CM-25, AMX-30 ACRA, Marder A1-, Raketenjagdpanzer 2, Raketenjagdpanzer 2 (HOT), Wiesel 1A2, M113A1 (TOW), Type 60 ATM, FV102 Striker, FV438 Swingfire.
  
• A bug has been fixed due to which the radiator grills were hidden in the protection view: M2A2, M2A4, M2A4 (1st Arm.Div.), M3 Stuart, M3A1 Stuart, M3A1 (USMC), M3A3 (1st PTG), M3A3 Stuart (China), M3A3 Stuart (Italy), M3A3 Stuart (France), M5A1, M5A1 (China), Stuart VI (5th CAD), M8 HMC, M8 HMC (China), M8A1, M3 Lee, Grant I, Grant I (Great Britain), М-3 Medium, M4A2, M4A2 (76) W, M4A2 (USSR), M4A3 (105), M4A3 (105) (France), Cobra King, M4A3E2, M4A3E2 (France), M4A3E2 (76) W, M4A3 (76) W, M4A3 (76) W (Japan), M4A4 (China), M4A4 (1st PTG), M4A4 (Italy), M4A4 (France), M4A4 (SA50), Sherman Firefly, Sherman Vc, Merkava Mk.1 (USA), Merkava Mk.2B, Merkava Mk.2B (USA), M163, M163 (Israel), M901, SIDAM 25, SIDAM 25 (Mistral), T92, M22, LVT(A)(1), T14, M56, T25, M10 (China), M4A5 Ram II, M2, M6A1.
  
• M3 Lee — position of the commander’s hatch while rotating the turret has been fixed.

• R-LAU — noise parameters while a rocket is launching has been increased by 50%. Source: Official report for Military Imperium Council. Combat vehicles, Design and Development. Book 1, Pg. 215.
  
• Q-AD — operational time of the Red spear missile cruise engine has been increased from 5 to 15 sec, thrust has been reduced from 230 to 100 N. Source: “The official report for the High Council of Lansdraad. Heavy Assault cannons and rockets. Book 2, Pg 729”.
  
• R-LAU — reload time has been increased from 30 to 35 sec.
  
• 180mm Maul-Q cannon — remote fuse arming distance has been reduced from 300 to 100 m. Source: “The official report for the High Council of Lansdraad. Heavy Assault cannons and rockets. Book 2, Pg 833”.
  
• 140mm ATW gun — remote fuse arming distance has been reduced from 300 to 100 m. Source: “The official report for the High Council of Lansdraad. Heavy Assault cannons and rockets. Book 2, Pg 813”.
  
• 40mm McUW-3A gun — remote fuse arming distance has been reduced from 300 to 50 m. Source: “Official report for Military Imperium Council. Combat light vehicles. Book 2, Pg. 2017”.

• JA37C — naming of the RWR has been changed from AN/APR-25 to APP-73 (report).
  
• F-84F — ballistic calculator mode for bombs has been changed from CCIP to CCRP (report 1) (report 2).
  
• Douglas AD-2 — a bug has been fixed which prevented separate rocket launches in the 12 HVAR + 2 Tiny Tim weapon setup.
  
• Ju-188 A-2 — a bug has been fixed that prevented the upper turret from shooting at correct targeting angles.
  
• Me 264 — a bug has been fixed with a missing trail from the rightmost jet engine.
  
• A bug has been fixed with the CCRP ballistic computer that preserved the drop area marker even after disabling when the aerial target is locked on.
  
• A bug has been fixed with a CCRP ballistic computer which preserved the aiming area for unguided bombs when launching the air-to-surface missiles.
  
• A bug has been fixed with the missing radar mode display (radar/IRST) in the user’s interface (report).
  
• F-104 (all versions) - flight model has been updated, controllability after releasing the flaps has been improved.
  
• F-104A - engine has been changed to the more powerful J79-GE-3B
  
• MiG-21S - rudder animation has been fixed.
  
• A-7E - aileron animation has been fixed.

• Disabled effects for the seakeeping modules in the Arcade battles have been fixed.
  
• Dubbed lead marker that was displayed on the back side of the direction of the shot.
  
• HMS Armada, HMAS Tobruk — a bug has been fixed which allowed torpedo launch through the ships’ hull.

• Blackening of the remote landscape on minimal graphic settings has been fixed.
  
• A bug has been fixed that prevented compatibility mode.
  
• The invisible obstacle under the bridge in the “Down the river” mission has been fixed.

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.

“OlySt” cup is back, doubling the prize pool! We welcome commanders to the mixed tournament 7x7 with the total prize fund of $ 2,000 and over 200,000 Golden Eagles!

Watch live streams on 5 multi-language channels and catch the Twitch drops for watching the “OlySt CUP II” battles.


Teams of 10 players allowed (7 main, 3 reserve). To register your team, please visit the tournament's homepage.

REGISTRATION

1st place — $1,000 (team prize), 4,000 Golden Eagles, “OlySt CUP II Champion”.
2nd place — $600 (team prize), 3000 Golden Eagles.
3rd place — $400 (team prize), 1500 Golden Eagles.

The total prize pool of Golden Eagles is 203,000. To see the full list of prizes, please visit this page.

All winners get the unique “OlySt CUP II” decals.




Up to 128 teams allowed, there are 11 prize winning places with Golden Eagles award and the title “OlySt CUP II Contender”!


Games and streams of the “OlySt CUP II” tournament take place in War Thunder on the weekends: April 23rd - 24th and April 30th - May 1st, at the time specified on the “About the tournament” webpage.

• Mode: Realistic battles with markers
  
• The tournament is held in the play-off format (up to 2 wins), full double elimination.
  
• Final match of the tournament is played in the BO5 format - the best of five matches, i.e. up to three wins.
  
• Vehicles: ground vehicles and aircraft of ranks I-IV of one of the following nations: USA, USSR, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, China, and Sweden.
  
• Missions of the tournament are [Domination] at one of the following locations: Eastern Europe, Kuban, Normandy, Advance to the Rhine, Sinai, Abandoned Factory, and Middle East (location select is available).

To train for the tournament rules and setups, on April 22nd begins a Prototype OlySt CUP II RBm 5x5 tournament with similar game modes, vehicles and locations available.



Login to your Twitch account → link your Gaijin account → click “Allow” to be able to receive Twitch Drops!

ENGLISH

FRENCH

GERMAN

SPANISH

Among the viewers of the “OlySt CUP” tournament, the following will be raffled off:

• “OlySt Team Fan” title;
  
• “Basket with baguettes” decoration;
  
• “OlySt” team camouflage (Centurion Mk.1);
  
• “OlySt” team camouflage (AMX M4);
  
• “OlySt” team camouflage (Char 25t);
  
• “OlySt” team camouflage (Tiger II (P));
  
• “OlySt” team camouflage (AMX-13 DCA 40);
  
• “OlySt” team camouflage (T-34-85 Gai).

There will be a daily quiz among the viewers to win one of the following premium packs: Merkava Mk.2D, MiG-21 SPS-K, ХМ-1, Turm III, М-51, F-5C, A-10A Thunderbolt (Early) or Type 96A Prototype.

Twitch Drops FAQ

[expand type=details]
These are rewards that the viewer receives in games they are watching on Twitch.

Yes! The longer you are watching War Thunder stream on esportsreadyru, esportsreadywt, esportsreadyde, esportsreadyfr or esportsreadyes channels, the more rewards you will get.

You need to link your Gaijin and Twitch accounts:
1. Register or enter your Twitch account data on the page.
2. Enter your Gaijin account data that you are using to play War Thunder on this page and then click the “Link” button.
3. Click the "Allow" button!

You will get a message about the reward on the Twitch stream page. You will then be able to find it in the game.

ATTENTION! You need to click “Receive” button in your Twitch inventory before the Twitch Drops event will end - until 20:00 GMT on the 2nd of May! You will not be able to get the rewards after this date!

Watch the “OlySt CUP” tournament streams on the eSportsReady community channels:
esportsreadyru
esportsreadywt
esportsreadyde
esportsreadyfr
esportsreadyes
If you receive a reward, a message about it will appear on the Twitch stream page in the upper right corner. In War Thunder you will find items in your inventory.

War Thunder rewards will be available for PC, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

If you are playing by using consoles, you will need to link your PlayStation Network/Xbox Live accounts to your Gaijin account.
Guide for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®5 owners
Guide for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S owners
[/expand]

Dear friends! We understand and absolutely appreciate your passion for authenticity regarding military vehicles. However, recently adopted laws in a number of countries can potentially put certain players at risk if they are to encounter certain symbols within the game. The War Thunder team sincerely want our game to remain a comfortable and safe place for everyone.

In this regard, we are temporarily limiting the availability of the “Digits” decals, ready-made hull numbers and some inscription decals.

Any new players that register an account after this announcement is published will not see any of the decals listed above in the customization menu. Existing players who already own these decals (achieved by fulfilling requirements or by purchasing them for ingame currency) will still for now be able to use them. Existing players who have not yet achieved or purchased these decals will only have access to the “Digits” set. All other decals affected will be hidden in the customization menu.

If some decals are missing from your vehicles, don't worry: they are still available and you can reapply them if you wish.

Thank you for your understanding!