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Battle Rating update and important changes to the top-tier air RB


[h2]Airfield respawn for late jet bombers and strike aircraft in air RB[/h2]
Historically, many gaming mechanics in War Thunder were originally created for WWII and early Cold War vehicles, for example - air respawn for bombers and strike aircraft. However, many late period jet bombers and strike aircraft feature flight characteristics close to, or even similar to those of jet fighters. In this case, we consider air respawn closer to ground targets as an unreasonable advantage for such aircraft, since their efficiency is obvious both for players, and for gaming statistics. If later strike aviation is taking off and approaching targets together with fighters, their value for the team remains. That’s why we decided to revoke the air respawns for bombers and strike aircraft of ranks VI-VII in air Realistic Battles mode.

Currently, we see no need to adjust the Battle Ratings of these aircraft, but we will monitor your feedback and game statistics to quickly update the BRs of the top-tier aircraft, if they need it.

[h2]Advanced missiles right out of the box[/h2]
Air combat at rank VII in Realistic Battles intensively employs air-to-air missiles, rather than guns, as it is in the lower ranks.

Now, the majority of rank VII fighters will come equipped with more advanced air-to-air missiles right after purchase. This will allow pilots to fight more confidently and be more valuable to the team, even if their aircraft are not yet mastered. It is worth noticing however, that the weapon presets that include the advanced air-to-air missiles (if they are available from ‘stock’) still require the related modifications to be researched.

Here is the list of planned changes for rank VII jet fighters that currently lack the advanced missiles out of the box:
[expand]
USA:
  • F-5E Tiger II - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by a setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups with AIM-9E still require this modification to be unlocked.
  • F-4E Phantom II - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced with a setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups or setups with large numbers of AIM-9E still require this modification to be unlocked.
  • F-8E Crusader - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups with AIM-9E still require this modification to be unlocked.
Germany:
  • F-4F Phantom II - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of AIM-9E still require this modification to be unlocked.
  • F-4F Phantom II (Early) - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of AIM-9E still require this modification to be unlocked.
  • MiG-21MF - The setup with 2х R-3R without the need to research R-3R modification has been added. Mixed setups or with large numbers of R-3R still require this modification to be unlocked (R-3R missile has been also added to the armament nomenclature).
  • MiG-21bis-SAU - The setup with 2xR-3S has been replaced by setup with 2х R-13М1 without the need to research R-13М1 modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of Р-13М1 still require this modification to be unlocked.
  • MiG-23MF - The setup with 2xR-3S has been replaced by setup with 2х R-13М1 without the need to research R-13М1 modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of R-13М1 still require this modification to be unlocked.
USSR:
  • MiG-21SMT - The setup with 2х R-3R without the need to research R-3R modification has been added. Mixed setups or with large numbers of R-3R still require this modification to be unlocked.
  • MiG-21bis - The setup with 2xR-3S has been replaced by setup with 2х R-13М1 without the need to research R-13М1 modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of Р-13М1 still require this modification to be unlocked.
  • MiG-23M - The setup with 2xR-3S has been replaced by setup with 2х R-13М1 without the need to research R-13М1 modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of Р-13М1 still require this modification to be unlocked.
  • MiG-23MLD - The setup with 2xR-3S has been replaced by setup with 2х R-13М1 without the need to research R-13М1 modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of R-13М1 still require this modification to be unlocked.
Britain:
  • Jaguar Gr.1A - The setup with 2xAIM-9G without the need to research AIM-9G modification has been added: Mixed setups with AIM-9G still require the research of this modification.
Japan:
  • F-4EJ Phantom II - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of AIM-9E still require the research of this modification.
China:
  • F-104G Starfighter - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by setup with 2х AIM-9J without the need to research AIM-9J modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of AIM-9J still require this modification to be unlocked.
  • F-5A Freedom Fighter - The setup with 2xAIM-9B has been replaced by setup with 2х AIM-9E without the need to research AIM-9E modification. Mixed setups with AIM-9E still require the research of this modification.
  • J-7E - The setup with 2xPL-2 has been replaced by setup with 2х PL-5B without the need to research PL-5B modification. Mixed setups with PL-5B still require the research of this modification.
France:
  • Mirage IIIC - The setup with 2xAIM-9B + 1х Matra R530 without the need to research Matra R530 modification has been added. Mixed setups with Matra R530 still require the research of these modifications.
  • Mirage IIIE - The setup with 2xAIM-9B + 1х Matra R530 without the need to research Matra R530 modification has been added. Mixed setups with AIM-9B or Matra R530 still require the research of these modifications.
  • Mirage 5F - The setup with 2xMatra R550 Magic 1 without the need to research Matra R550 Magic 1 has been added. Mixed setups with Matra R550 Magic 1 still require the research of these modifications. AIM-9B missiles will be removed from the weapons nomenclature.
Sweden:
  • J35D Draken - The 2xRB24 setup has been replaced by a setup with 2х RB24J without the need to research RB24J modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of RB24J still require this modification to be unlocked.
  • JA37C Jacktviggen - The 2xRB24 setup has been replaced by a setup with 2х RB24J without the need to research RB24J modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of RB24J still require this modification to be unlocked.
  • AJ37 Viggen - The 2xRB24 setup has been replaced by a setup with 2х RB24J without the need to research RB24J modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of RB24J still require this modification to be unlocked.
Israel:
  • Mirage IIICJ - The setup with 2xShafrir 2 + 1х Matra R530 without the need to research Matra R530 modification has been added. Mixed setups with Shafrir 2 or Matra R530 still require the research of this modification.
  • Nesher - 2xAIM-9D is now available without the research of the AIM-9D modification. Mixed with AIM-9D setups still requires this modification to be unlocked.
  • Kfir C.7 - 2xAIM-9D is now available without the research of the AIM-9D modification. Mixed setups or with large numbers of AIM-9Ds still require this modification to be unlocked.

[/expand]
You can check Battle Ratings update table here

Operation Veritable


On February 8th, 1945, Allied forces began Operation Veritable to seize a foothold to the west of the Rhine on German territory.
Complete the task from 11:00 GMT on the 8th of February until 11:30 GMT on the 12th of February and get the reward!
Rewards
  • 20-50% RP booster for 3-10 battles
  • 20-50% SL booster for 3-10 battles
  • 3-5 universal backup vehicles
  • Random camouflage for ground vehicles of rank I-IV for USA, Great Britain or Germany from amongst those available to obtain in-game through achievements or purchase with GE.
  • 1 day premium account

[h3]Task[/h3]
  • Destroy 40/20/20 (AB/RB/SB) player vehicles whilst controlling specified vehicles in random battles

Tasks can be completed only on vehicles from the list:
  • USA: M5A1, M10 GMC, M18 GMC, M36 GMC, M4A3E2, M4A3E2 (76) W, Cobra King, M4A2, M4A3 (105), Calliope, M4A3 (76) W, M4A2 (76) W, M8A1, M8, P-47D-25, P-47D-28, P-47N-15, P-51D-5, P-51D-20-NA, A-26B-10, A-26B-50
  • Great Britain: Valentine IX, Sherman II, Sherman Firefly, Crusader AA Mk.I, Crusader AA Mk.II, Challenger, Achilles, Archer, Spitfire F Mk.XVI, Spitfire F Mk.IX, Spitfire LF Mk.IX, Tempest Mk.V
  • Germany: Sd.Kfz.234/1, Sd.Kfz.234/2, Sd.Kfz.234/2 TD, Sd.Kfz.234/3, Sd.Kfz.234/4, Sd.Kfz.251/21, Wirbelwind, 15 cm Pz.W.42, StuG III G, Jagdpanzer 38(t), Jagdpanzer IV, Panzer IV/70(V), Pz.IV G, Pz.IV H, Pz.IV J, Pz.Bef.Wg.IV J, Tiger II (P), Tiger II (H), Panther D, Panther A, Jagdpanther, Bfw.Jagdpanther, Bf 109 G-6, Bf 109 G-14, Bf 109 G-10, Fw 190 A-5, Fw 190 A-5/U12, Fw 190 A-5/U2, Fw 190 A-8, Fw 190 D-9, Fw 190 F-8

Follow progress by clicking on your nickname → Achievements → Memorial Date.

Screenshot Competition - Big Guns!

Welcome to the 13th War Thunder Steam Screenshot Competition!

You were extremely quick to deliver over 130 beautiful screenshots! We had plenty to choose from! The three most popular and the three selected by us will get 300GE! We will meet again next week!
[h2]Before we announce 12th edition winners, let’s begin the 13th edition of our competition![/h2]
Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub (link for instructions) with the tag #WTscreen13. You have time until 13.02.2022 to submit your screenshot.
After that date, 6 winners will be selected (3 of which will be the highest rated by the community and 3 selected by our judges), each of which receive a reward of 300GE.

[h2]Screenshot theme - Big Guns[/h2]

[h3]Terms:[/h3]
  • Your screenshot needs to be focused on big guns. If you can flatten the barn in one shot - Bring it on!
  • Screenshots need to be compliant with the War Thunder rules.
  • You need to be the author of the screenshot.
  • Screenshot needs to be new. You cannot use those which have previously been published or used in other competitions.
  • We will only accept raw screenshots from the game. You cannot use any editing software nor any other visual enhancements (like Nvidia Ansel filters).
  • You can use filters and settings built into War Thunder.
  • You can use the replay functionality built into War Thunder.
  • Rewards will be delivered to the author's account within 7 working days.

[h2]And now, time for the winners of the competition’s 12th edition - Fast Delivery![/h2]
[h3]Winners selected via community votes:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2739805922
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2741922835
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2738794177
[h3]Winners selected by our judges:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2745533791
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2742943091
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2738473590
Each winner will get 300GE! Congratulations and see you next week!

Server Update 03.02.2022 (Economy changes)

Planned economy changes have been implemented:

Changes to the research trees:
  • M1A1 Abrams and IPM1 一 switched places.
  • Pz.IV F2 and Pz.IV G 一 grouped up.
  • Pz.IV H and Pz.IV J (in the group) 一 moved to rank II.
  • TAM and Begleitpanzer 57 一 switched places.
  • Crusader AA Mk.I and Crusader AA Mk.II 一 switched places.
  • Chi-Ha Kai and Ho-I 一 switched places.
  • Ikv 103 一 moved to rank III.
  • F-104G 一 moved to rank VII.
  • Ju 88 C-6 一 moved to rank II.
  • Bf 110 C-7 and Bf 110 F-2 一 grouped up.
  • Tu-4, Tu-4 (China) 一 moved to rank V.


[hr][/hr]
The current provided changelog reflects the major changes within the game as part of this Update. Some updates, additions and fixes may not be listed in the provided notes. War Thunder is constantly improving and specific fixes may be implemented without the client being updated.

End of the Battle of Stalingrad


The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the turning points in the history of World War II. The German offensive towards Stalingrad threatened the USSR with the loss of the Caucasian oil fields and the region itself, but the exhausting counterattacks of the Red Army prevented German plans. During months of intense action, Germany and Axis nations lost the initiative, and the last decisive blow from the Soviets resulted in an encirclement of German troops, followed by capitulation at the beginning of February 1943.
Complete the task from 11:00 GMT on the 2nd of February until 11:30 GMT on the 7th of February and get the reward!
Rewards

Completing the “End of the Battle of Stalingrad” task will bring you a battle trophy with one of the following rewards:
  • 20-50% RP booster for 3-10 battles
  • 20-50% SL booster for 3-10 battles
  • 3-5 universal backup vehicles
  • Random camouflage for ground vehicles of rank I-III for USSR or Germany from amongst those available to obtain in-game through achievements or purchase with GE.
  • 1 day premium account
Task
  • Destroy 40/20/20 (AB/RB/SB) player vehicles whilst controlling specified vehicles in random battles

The task can be completed only in vehicles from the following list:
  • USSR: Т-70, GAZ-MM (72K), Т-34 (1941), Т-34 (1st Gv.T.Br.), Т-34 (1942),Т-34E STZ, М-3 Medium, BM-8-24, BM-13N, KV-1S, KV-1 (L-11), Il-2 (1941), Il-2 (1942), Il-2-37, Yak-1B, La-5, Yak-9
  • Germany: Sd.Kfz 6/2, Pz.III L, StuG III F, Panzerjäger 1, Marder III, Pz.IV F2, Pz.IV G, Pz.35 (t), Pz.38 (t) F, Sd.Kfz. 251/10, Bf 109 F-4, Bf 109 G-2, Bf 109 G-2 (Romania), Ju 87 B-2, Ju 87 D-3

Follow progress by clicking on your nickname → Achievements → Memorial Date.