Most effective vehicles in War Thunder

Most effective vehicles in F2P-Game War Thunder.

Some time ago the community of the F2P war game War Thunder has launched its own project on Thunder Skill to have finally a public statistical overview ​​about the performance of individual vehicles and win odds of the available different nation teams.
So far, therefore, in accordance with the kill/loss ratio the following vehicles (with an indication of the Battle Rating = BR) are the most effective ones in Realistic Land Battles.

It must be mentioned, however, that only the results of players registered with ‘Thunder Skill’ are included in the rating. Since these are often War Thunder players with above-average skills, their scores (according to the author’s personal assessment after comparing his scores on the individual vehicles in about 50 %) are better than the average. This is why the average overall rates (victories, kills and loss ratios) are mostly in the positive range, which would not be possible in purely mathematical terms if the numbers of all players were included. Therefore, the figures should be seen as a relative indication of the quality of the respective vehicle, nation or on the ‘battle rating’.

 

In addition, there is also a regularly updated ‘heat map’ under WT Data Project with the victory rates of the respective nations at all ‘battle rating’ levels. See an example above right.

Values ​​in the range of 1.0 are only average, and below are already reveal too weak vehicles.

The Top 75 best armoured combat vehicles

Top 75 best tanks (according to Thunder Skill, status from February 2020):

Position #	Tank	Nation	kills/loses	Win rate
1	T-126	Soviet (Premium)	14.66	92 %
2	Char B1ter	France (Premium)	9.92	100 %
3	E-100	Germany (Premium)	8.32	54 %
4	SdKfz 140/1	Germany (Premium)	6.79	62 %
5	M3 Lee	US	5.38	71 %
6	T-50	Soviet	5.16	38 %
7	T14	US (Premium)	5.10	78 %
8	Chi-He	Japan	4.38	91 %
9	Excelsior	UK (Premium)	4.26	77 %
10	KW-1B	Germany (Premium)	4.12	70 %
11	KV-220	Soviet (Premium)	4.11	48 %
12	Char B1bis	France	3.85	31%
13	T-34E	Soviet (Premium)	3.80	72 %
14	M8 Greyhound	US (Premium)	3.79	53 %
15	Black Prince	UK (Premium)	3.76	64 %
16	T-34 (1st Gv.T.Br.)	Soviet (Premium)	3.75	69 %
17	Chi-Ha Kai	Japan	3.72	41 %
18	Crusader II	UK	3.71	70 %
19	M14/1	Italy	3.71	41 %
20	Churchill Mk I	UK	3.70	75 %
21	KV-1E	Soviet	3.64	61 %
22	M26 T99	US (Premium)	3.58	88 %
23	M4A3 (105mm)	US	3.55	82 %
24	IS-7	Soviet (Premium)	3.52	76 %
25	M4 748(a)	Germany (Premium)	3.48	67 %
26	T95	US	3.46	68 %
27	Chi-Nu II	Japan	3.38	57 %
28	M4A2	US	3.24	64 %
29	Ferdinand	Germany	3.25	45 %
30	StuH 42	Germany	3.11	44 %
31	Calliope	US (Premium)	3.07	92 %
32	Pz IV F1	Germany	3.06	32 %
33	Ho-Ri Production	Japan	3.04	57 %
34	T25	US	3.01	73 %
35	Lorraine 40t	France	3.01	69 %
36	Maus	Germany (Premium)	2.97	50 %
37	Churchill Mk III	UK	2.96	63 %
38	Sherman II	UK	2.96	51 %
39	M3 Stuart	US	2.95	75 %
40	M3A1 (USMC)	US (Premium)	2.95	71 %
41	AMX-50	France	2.95	66 %
42	M8A1	US (Premium)	2.95	96 %
43	PzBefw VI (P)	Germany (Premium)	2.93	38 %
44	Ho-Ri Prototype	Japan (Premium)	2.91	61 %
45	M4A1 (76)W	US	2.90	81 %
46	T20	US (Premium)	2.89	76 %
47	M24 (TL)	US (Premium)	2.88	79 %
48	M26 D.C.Ariete	Italy (Premium)	2.88	39 %
49	SdKfz 234/3	Germany (Premium)	2.87	45 %
50	StuG III G	Germany	2.85	59 %
51	T-34-747(r)	Germany (Premium)	2.79	64 %
52	M6A1	US	2.77	83 %
53	Leclerc	France	2.74	61 %
54	Achilles (65 Reg)	UK (Premium)	2.72	58 %
55	Pz III N	Germany (Premium)	2.70	60 %
5666	8,8cm Flak 37 Sfl	Germany	2.69	49 %
57	SdKfz 234/4	Germany (Premium)	2.63	66 %
58	Centurion Mk.5 AVRE	UK (Premium)	2.59	80 %
59	M4A5	US (Premium)	2.59	61 %
60	T-44-122	Soviet (Premium)	2.59	34 %
61	T29	US (Premium)	2.58	66 %
62	T28	US (Premium)	2.58	66 %
63	M5A1	US	2.57	69 %
64	M3A1 Stuart	US	2.57	66 %
65	M4A3E2 Jumbo	France	2.56	35%
66	M4A1	France	2.55	50 %
67	Cobra King	US (Premium)	2.54	85 %
68	Churchill Mk VII	UK	2.53	91 %
69	Daimler AC Mk II	UK	2.52	82 %
70	T32	US	2.52	67 %
71	T-34 (1942)	Soviet	2.50	57 %
72	M4A3E2 (76)W Jumbo	US	2.49	71 %
73	Marder IIIH	Germany	2.48	51 %
74	T-V	Soviet (Premium)	2.48	43 %
75	M3 GMC	US	2.47	73 %

Most effective vehicles

A few years earlier (2016), however, the most effective vehicles were different. As new vehicles are constantly being added in War Thunder, some are subsequently changed or fundamental modifications are made to the game system (e.g. the controversial change in the Penetration of Tank Ammunition from historical test results to much less accurate, theoretical calculation results), it is important to keep up to date on ThunderSkill.

Most effective Heavy Tanks

Additionally, it has to bring to notice, that the use of a heavy tank can cost up to 450 points, a medium tank but only a maximum of 310 points and a tank destroyer at highest 290 points. Therefore, heavy tanks should be supposed to have around a 1.25-1.50 times better shooting quota as medium tanks or tank destroyers, which is unfortunately often not the case. Therefore, one should limit the use of heavy tanks in the game as far as possible, if they do not have high kill to loss quota.

Heavy Tanks:

Kill/Loss Ratio	Heavy Tank	Nation	Battle Rating
1.9	Maus	Germany	BR 7.7
1.5	Caernarvon	Britain	BR 6.7
1.4	T-10M	Russia	BR 8.0
1.3	10.5-cm-Tiger II	Germany	BR 7.0
1.3	IS-2	Russia	BR 6.0+6.7
1.3	Churchill III	Britain	BR 4.0
1.1	Tiger II(H)	Germany	BR 6.7
1.1	Tiger II(P)	Germany	BR 6.3
1.0	M103	US	BR 7.7
1.0	T26E1-1	US	BR 6.7
1.0	Tiger I(H)	Germany	BR 5.7
1.0	Churchill VII	Britain	BR 4.7
1.0	KV-2	Russia	BR 4.3
0.9	KV-1	Russia	BR 3.7
0.8	Conqueror Mk 2	Britain	BR 7.7
0.8	Tiger IE	Germany	BR 6.0
0.8	IS-1	Russia	BR 5.7
0.8	M4A3E2 Jumbo	US	BR 5.0
0.7	IS-3	Russia	BR 7.3
0.5	M4A3 (105mm) Sherman	US	BR 3.7

Most effective Medium and Light Tanks

This is the most important category of combat vehicles, which can be used at relatively inexpensive costs and are most times armed equally, faster, and more flexible and nearly as good as the heavy tank at the same Battle Ratings in War Thunder. You can see that mainly the Russian and at higher Battle Ratings the British vehicles occupy leading positions. Only with the relatively high Battle Rating 6.7 the Germans received with the Panther II a superb medium battle tank. Therefore, the high win rates at most Battle Ratings, especially for the Russian team – and in the high Battle Ratings for the British – are not surprising.

Light and Medium Tanks:

Kill/Loss Ratio	Light or Medium Tank	Nation	Battle Rating
1.8	Centurion Mk 3	Britain	BR 6.7
1.7	T-44-122 (Premium)	Russia	BR 6.3
1.6	Centurion Mk 10	Britain	BR 7.0
1.4	Chieftain Mk3	Britain	BR 8.0
1.4	T-44-100	Russia	BR 7.0
1.4	AVIV Thunderbolt (Premium)	Britain	BR 5.0
1.3	T-34-85	Russia	BR 5.0-5.3
1.2	M26E1 (Premium)	US	BR 6.7
1.2	Panther II	Germany	BR 6.7
1.2	T-34-100 (Premium)	Russia	BR 6.7
1.2	T-34-76	Russia	BR 3.7+4.0
1.1	Leopard 1	Germany	BR 8.0
1.1	T-34E (Premium)	Russia	BR 4.3
1.1	M4 Sherman	US	BR 3.7
1.0	M46 Patton	US	BR 6.7
1.0	T92	US	BR 6.7
1.0	M26 Pershing	US	BR 6.3
1.0	Comet	Britain	BR 5.3
1.0	M4A3 (76mm) Sherman	US	BR 5.3
1.0	Cromwell I	Britain	BR 3.7
1.0	PzKpfw IV G	Germany	BR 3.7
0.9	T-54	Russia	BR 7.3+7.7
0.9	Panther F	Germany	BR 6.3
0.9	T-44	Russia	BR 6.3
0.9	M4A1 Sherman	US	BR 3.3
0.9	PzKpfw IVF2	Germany	BR 3.3
0.8	M60	US	BR 8.0
0.8	Sherman Firefly	Britain	BR 5.0
0.8	M4A2 (76mm) Sherman	US	BR 5.0
0.8	PzKpfw IV H	Germany	BR 4.0
0.8	Cromwell V	Britain	BR 3.3
0.8	Valentine XI	Britain	BR 3.0
0.8	PzKpfw III J1	Germany	BR 3.0
0.7	Panther D	Germany	BR 5.7
0.7	T-34-57	Russia	BR 4.7
0.7	A13 Mk I	Britain	BR 1.0
0.6	M41A1	US	BR 6.3
0.6	Panther A	Germany	BR 6.0
0.6	PzKpfw III M	Germany	BR 3.3

Most effective Tank Destroyers

Only in the problematic range of tank destroyers, the German teams are the clear leader. But the effective use of these vehicles without a turret is quite challenging and requires already some experience in the mostly existing confusing close-quarter maps.

Tank Destroyers:

Kill/Loss Ratio	Tank Destroyers	Nation	Battle Rating
1.9	Panzerjäger I	Germany	BR 1.7
1.6	Jagdtiger	Germany	BR 7.0
1.6	Dicker Max	Germany	BR 4.3
1.2	SU-85	Russia	BR 4.7+5.3
1.2	Achilles	Britain	BR 4.0
1.2	Marder IIIH	Germany	BR 3.0
1.0	Nashorn	Germany	BR 5.3
1.0	SU-152	Russia	BR 5.0
1.0	StuG III G	Germany	BR 4.0
0.9	Jagdpanther	Germany	BR 6.3
0.9	M18 Hellcat	US	BR 5.0
0.8	M10 Wolverine	US	BR 3.7
0.6	StuG III F	Germany	BR 3.7

Most effective Anti-Aircraft Tanks

Again, apparently the German team are in advantage, even when these are only support vehicles for the second or third wave, which usually can not turn the tide of battle.

AA-Tanks:

Kill/Loss Ratio	AA-Tank	Nation	Battle Rating
1.0	Gepard	Germany	BR 2.0
0.9	Wirbelwind	Germany	BR 3.7
0.8	Kugelblitz	Germany	BR 6.7
0.6	ZSU-57-2	Russia	BR 7.7
0.6	M19	US	BR 5.0
0.6	Ostwind	Germany	BR 4.7
0.6	94-KM ZIS-12	Russia	BR 3.3
0.6	AC Mk II AA	Britain	BR 2.7
0.5	ZSU-37	Russia	BR 4.7
0.5	SdKfz 6/2	Germany	BR 3.0

Most effective Aircraft

Subsequently, the most effective aircraft, which have come in larger quantities into action during the realistic ground battles of War Thunder:

Aircraft:

Kill/Loss Ratio	Plane	Nation	Battle Rating
5.3	Canberra B	Britain	BR 8.0
2.1	Arado 234B	Germany	BR 6.7
2.0	Do 217E	Germany	BR 4.7
1.9	Spitfire F	Britain	BR 5.3-6.3
1.7	B-25J Mitchell	US	BR 4.0+4.3
1.7	F6F-3 Hellcat	US+Britain (Premium)	BR 3.7
1.7	Wellington	Britain	BR 2.3-3.3
1.6	Tu-2S	Russia	BR 6.3
1.6	F8F-1 Bearcat	US	BR 6.0
1.4	(lease-lend) B-25J	Russia	BR 4.3
1.3	Pe-8	Russia	BR 4.0
1.3	Il-4	Russia	BR 3.0
1.2	AD-2 Skyraider	US	BR 6.0
1.2	Firefly FR	Britain	BR 3.7+4.0
1.2	Pe-2	Russia	BR 3.7-4.7
1.1	Fw 190A	Germany	BR 4.7+5.0
1.1	Bf 109F	Germany	BR 3.7-4.0
1.0	Me 410A	Germany	BR 3.7
1.0	P-47D Thunderbolt	US+Russia (Premium)	BR 3.7
0.9	Me 410B	Germany	BR 4.7
0.8	Ju 87D	Germany	BR 2.7+3.3

Overall arise spots in effectiveness among the nations around the following Battle Ratings:
Germany at BR 4.3 (Dicker Max) and 7.0 (Jagdtiger, 10.5-cm-Tiger II, Panther II, Arado bomber) and the Maus at 7.7.
Russia around BR 3.7-4.0 (T-34-76), 5.0 (T-34-85) and BR 6.3-7.0 (IS-2, T-44-100, Tu-2 or Premium T-44-122, T-34-100), especially because of the T-34/44 series.
Britain from BR 6.7-7.0 (two Centurions, Caernarvon, Spitfire F), at BR 8.0 (Chieftain, Canberra bomber) and probably around BR 4.0 (Churchill III, Achilles).
In the US none optimal, above average BR can be found (if any, than most likely around the BR 6.7, including the use of premium vehicles).

The most effective premium tank appears to be the Russian T-44-122 with a kill to loss ratio of as much as 1.7 !

Who does not know the F2P tank and plane war game War Thunder can download it from here for free:

---

More about War Thunder

---