This War Thunder tier list was updated on October 16, 2026, on the “Sky Odyssey” major update (released September 16) and client build 2.59.0.68 from October 15. It ranks the ten nations by how friendly they are to a brand-new player, then names the specific tanks and planes I’d research first. Battle ratings are Realistic Battles values from the official War Thunder wiki on the ranking date. Gaijin moves BRs often, so check the hangar before you commit.
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Key Takeaways
- Ranking date: October 16, 2026 (Sky Odyssey, build 2.59.0.68)
- S tier for beginners: USA, Germany and USSR
- Best first tanks: M4A1 Sherman (3.7), Pz.IV F2 (3.3), T-34 (1941) (4.0)
- Best first fighters: P-47D-25 (4.3), Bf 109 F-4 (4.0), Yak-3 (4.7)
- This list is about learning curve and grind, not which nation wins most at top tier
How This Tier List Works
I rated each nation on four things a new player feels right away: how forgiving the early vehicles are, how complete the tree is across ground and air, how easy the mid ranks are to grind, and how many guides and players you’ll find for it. Top-tier strength barely counts here. A nation that’s great at 12.0 but miserable at 4.0 isn’t a beginner nation.
S means start here. A means great once you know the basics. B means a fine second nation. C means come back later.
Nation Tier List for Beginners (October 16, 2026)
- S tier: USA, Germany, USSR
- A tier: Britain, Sweden
- B tier: Japan, Italy, France
- C tier: China, Israel
The big three earn S tier because their trees are full from Rank I up, their tanks are forgiving, and nearly every guide and video uses them. The USA gets stabilizers early and has easy-to-use planes. Germany rewards patient players with accurate guns. The USSR has sloped armor and hard-hitting guns that cover a lot of mistakes.
Britain and Sweden are strong but ask more of you, with fragile tanks or unusual playstyles at some BRs. Japan, Italy and France have great moments with awkward stretches in between. China and Israel lean on vehicles from other nations and are more fun once you know how the game works.
Best Ground Vehicles for Beginners
- M4A1 Sherman (USA, 3.7): stabilized gun, decent armor and good gun depression. The textbook starter medium
- M24 Chaffee (USA, 4.0): quick light tank that teaches flanking and scouting
- M18 GMC (USA, 6.0): very fast with a 76 mm gun, but paper thin. Hit and run
- Pz.IV F2 (Germany, 3.3): long 75 mm gun that outclasses most of what it meets
- Pz.IV H (Germany, 4.0): the reliable workhorse. Add skirts and play hull-down
- Tiger H1 (Germany, 5.7): thick front armor and an accurate 88. Angle it and it holds a whole lane
- T-34 (1941) (USSR, 4.0): sloped armor, a punchy 76 mm and good speed
- KV-1 (ZiS-5) (USSR, 4.7): slow and heavy. Great for learning to angle
Best Aircraft for Beginners
- P-47D-25 (USA, 4.3): heavy, fast and armed with eight .50 cals. Climb high, dive, extend, repeat
- Bf 109 F-4 (Germany, 4.0): great climb and handling. It forgives a lot of mistakes in a turn fight
- Yak-3 (USSR, 4.7): light and nimble, deadly at low altitude where most fights happen
Learn energy fighting in these planes and you’ll be ready for the jets later. Avoid the early jet BRs until you’re comfortable in props.
Best Premium Value for Beginners
Premium vehicles come fully upgraded and earn bonus RP and Silver Lions, which they pass to the rest of that nation’s tree. They don’t play at a higher BR or get special stats. That makes the best value for a beginner very simple: a cheap premium at low or mid BR in your S-tier nation, ideally the same type of vehicle you already enjoy.
Skip top-tier premium packs as a first purchase. They throw you into missiles, thermal sights and radar before you’ve learned the basics, and the repair bills are higher. If you’d rather not commit to one vehicle, Premium Account time is the more flexible buy: +100% RP and up to +100% SL in Random Battles, from $7.49 for 20 days on the Gaijin Store (checked October 16, 2026). Sales come and go, so compare the store before you buy.
FAQ
What is the best nation in War Thunder for beginners?
The USA, Germany and the USSR. They have full trees, forgiving early vehicles and the most learning resources.
Which nation should I play second?
Britain or Sweden. They play differently enough to keep things fresh, and you’ll know enough by then to handle their quirks.
Is the War Thunder tier list the same for Arcade and Realistic?
The nation order is mostly the same. Battle ratings differ by mode for some vehicles, so check the BR for the mode you play.
How often does this War Thunder tier list change?
I update it after major updates and big BR changes. This version is dated October 16, 2026.
Brand new? My War Thunder beginner guide covers modes, research and your first month, and the War Thunder review covers whether the game is worth your time. More is waiting in the Military Shooters section, and the latest patch notes are on the official War Thunder website.
