Overview of October 30 Server Adjustments
On October 30, 2026, the developers of War Thunder deployed a server-side update addressing specific vehicle balance parameters. These changes follow the October 29, 2026, announcement of the upcoming 'Eagle's Shadow' major update. The adjustments focus on correcting Battle Rating (BR) discrepancies for a selection of aircraft across multiple game modes and introducing a technical limitation for the F-102A.
Battle Rating Adjustments
The following aircraft have received adjustments to their Battle Ratings to align with current performance data and community feedback. These changes are effective immediately as part of the server-side update.
| Aircraft | Game Mode | Previous BR | New BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-16A MLU (China) | Air Simulator Battles | 14.0 | 13.7 |
| Hawk T Mk 1A | All Air Battles | 7.7 | 7.3 |
| Hawk T Mk 1A (FRP) | All Air Battles | 7.7 | 7.3 |
| N1K2-J | Ground Realistic Battles | 6.7 | 6.3 |
| N1K2-Ja | Ground Realistic Battles | 6.7 | 6.3 |
| Spitfire F Mk XVIIIe | Ground Realistic Battles | 6.7 | 6.3 |
| Yak-3U | Ground Realistic Battles | 6.7 | 6.3 |
Weapon Loadout Restrictions
The F-102A (all variants) has received a specific modification to its weapon loadout capabilities. Players can no longer equip the AIM-26B and FFAR rockets concurrently. This change restricts the available loadout combinations for the aircraft in all game modes.
Current patch compared with the previous update
| Official update | Published | Words | Fix terms | Balance terms | Addition terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Server Update 30.10.2026 | 2026-10-30 12:37 UTC | 171 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| "Eagle's Shadow" Update Trailer! | 2026-10-29 21:26 UTC | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Methodology and Limitations
This report is based on official server update notes published on October 30, 2026. The information provided reflects key changes as documented by the developers. It is important to note that these patch notes may not represent a comprehensive list of all improvements or adjustments made to the game. Some modifications are implemented via server-side updates that do not require a formal client-side download. The development team notes that changes are prioritized based on importance, such as addressing game-breaking issues, and are informed by community feedback gathered from forums and bug reporting services.
Confirmed evidence
- The F-16A MLU (China) has had its Battle Rating in Air Simulator Battles reduced from 14.0 to 13.7.
- The Hawk T Mk 1A and Hawk T Mk 1A (FRP) have had their Battle Rating in all Air Battles modes reduced from 7.7 to 7.3.
- The N1K2-J, N1K2-Ja, Spitfire F Mk XVIIIe, and Yak-3U have had their Battle Rating in Ground Realistic Battles reduced from 6.7 to 6.3.
- The F-102A (all variants) now has a limitation on the concurrent use of AIM-26B and FFAR weapons.
- The 'Eagle's Shadow' major update was announced via a trailer on October 29, 2026.
- Patch notes are formed by taking community reactions and requests from bug reporting services and forums into account.