Gaijin Entertainment has announced a significant change to the matchmaking mechanics in War Thunder, set to arrive in the next major update. The developer is introducing a system that allows players to choose different Battle Ratings (BR) for the same vehicle depending on the specific loadout equipped. This change applies to both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, providing players with more control over the matchmaking environment for their chosen units.

How the New BR System Functions

The core of this update centers on the relationship between weaponry and matchmaking. Previously, researching and equipping advanced armaments often forced a vehicle into a higher BR bracket, regardless of whether the player wanted to utilize those specific upgrades in every match. With the new system, players can opt to keep a vehicle at a lower BR by choosing not to equip high-tier modifications. This allows for more flexibility when building lineups or focusing on specific combat roles without being penalized by the automatic BR increase associated with top-tier gear.

The implementation details for the upcoming update are as follows:

  • Variable BR based on loadout: Players can select different ratings for a single vehicle.
  • Initial Scope: The feature will initially apply only to select aircraft and helicopters.
  • Premium Access: Premium vehicles will have all modifications unlocked immediately, allowing instant access to all custom BR configurations.
  • Future Expansion: The developer is considering expanding the mechanic to ground vehicles in future updates.

Impact on Premium and Standard Vehicles

For those utilizing premium vehicles, the transition is streamlined. Because premium units come with all modifications unlocked by default, owners will have immediate access to every available BR configuration for those specific vehicles. For standard vehicles, players will still need to research the necessary modifications to unlock the various loadout options that dictate the available BR settings. It is essential for players to review the official update changelog upon release to identify which specific aircraft and helicopters support this new mechanic, as the feature will not be universal across the entire roster at launch. By decoupling specific weapon loadouts from a fixed, singular Battle Rating, the developer aims to provide a more tailored experience for pilots and helicopter crews across all supported platforms, including PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.