Gaijin Entertainment has outlined several key changes coming to War Thunder in the next major update. The development team is shifting focus toward quality-of-life improvements, including a complete overhaul of the hangar's preset UI and new mechanics for handling player desertion in battle.

UI Improvements and Preset Management

The hangar is receiving a significant update to how players manage their vehicle lineups. The current preset window is being replaced by a left-side dropdown menu that supports horizontal scrolling, making it easier to view large numbers of presets. Players can now toggle the display of game modes and Battle Ratings, which will update automatically when vehicle lineups change.

Destruction Credits for 'J-Outs'

To address issues in Ground and Naval battles, the game is implementing a destruction credit mechanic similar to the one found in Air Battles. If a player exits their vehicle (“J-ing out”), the system will grant a kill credit to the nearest enemy player within a 3 km radius for ground vehicles or a 20 km radius for naval vessels. If no enemy is in range, the credit may be assigned to the player whose ammunition was closest to the vehicle at the time of exit.

Development Milestones

  • Bomber Survivability: The team is currently analyzing historical documentation on aircraft damage to improve bomber survivability against low-caliber fire (12.7 mm and below).
  • Nuclear Escalation: A new test phase is planned featuring 1970s-era equipment for the 8.7-11.0 Battle Rating range. The mode is moving toward a permanent release, potentially arriving as soon as the next major update.
  • New Maps: The Falklands-themed "Darwin Hill" map is being added for Ground Battles, featuring open terrain and new environmental assets.
  • Vehicle Updates: The Israeli aviation tree will receive its first Rank IX jet, and the US tree will get a researchable F-14D variant. Additionally, the M103 series will receive a detailed model update.

Players can also expect an updated menu for mode selection, including easier access to optional settings like Night Battles, and a new top-down view for sensor-based battle replays accessible via the 'M' key.