War Thunder on PC & Mac: Modes, Vehicles & Requirements
A sourced guide to War Thunder desktop play, including vehicle types, Arcade and Realistic modes, system requirements, and account considerations.
Overview
War Thunder is a free-to-play online military vehicle game from Gaijin Entertainment. It includes aircraft, helicopters, ground vehicles, and naval vessels from periods ranging from before the Second World War to modern vehicles.
This is an editorial overview based on official documentation, not a vehicle-performance test. The current affiliate offer does not explicitly list paid search among its allowed traffic sources, so this page links to the official game site rather than presenting the offer as Google Ads-ready.
Choosing a game mode
Arcade Battles simplify vehicle handling and provide more assistance, making them the easiest entry point. Realistic Battles reduce assists and place more weight on positioning, identification, energy management, and vehicle knowledge. Simulator Battles target players seeking the least assisted experience.
War Thunder also includes objectives, events, user missions, cooperative PvE activities, and historical or dynamic missions. New players should learn one vehicle branch at a time instead of spreading research across every nation and mode.
Current desktop requirements
Gaijin currently lists Windows 10 64-bit, a dual-core 2.2 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, a DirectX 11-class GTX 660 or Radeon 77XX, broadband internet, and approximately 23.1 GB for the minimal PC client. The full client needs substantially more storage. macOS and Linux clients have separate requirements on the same official FAQ.
Free-to-play considerations
The game can be downloaded without a subscription, but it includes premium currency, premium time, and paid vehicle packs. Progression becomes more demanding at higher ranks. Treat premium purchases as entertainment spending, and verify platform-specific account restrictions before buying or linking accounts.
Open the official War Thunder download page
Sources and verification
- Official War Thunder FAQ, modes, platforms, and requirements
- Official War Thunder download page
- Official War Thunder game-mode reference
Last verified: September 17, 2026.
