War Thunder has grown into one of the most played shooter games on the planet, and the single biggest decision you face as a new or returning player is which nation to grind first. Pick wrong and you could sink weeks into a tech tree that frustrates you at every battle rating. Pick right and the whole game opens up.
This guide breaks down what the community tier lists tell us about every playable nation and sub-tree, so you can make an informed choice before spending a single Silver Lion.
The community rankings referenced here are based on aggregated tier list data last updated in April 2026. Balance patches can shift vehicle performance, so cross-check with the current patch notes before committing to a grind.
Picking your nation matters
What do the community tier lists actually measure?
The aggregated rankings on community tier list platforms pull data from multiple player-submitted lists and average them out. With 11 submitted tier lists feeding into the current rankings, the results reflect a broad cross-section of player opinion rather than a single content creator's hot take. That said, rankings carry inherent bias because different players prioritize different things: some value top-tier jets, others care about early-rank tanks, and sub-tree quality can swing a nation's score dramatically in either direction.
The tier categories used across these community lists typically break down as follows:
A nation ranked lower overall can still have specific rank brackets where it outperforms S-tier nations. Always look at the bracket you actually plan to play, not just the overall score.
How are sub-trees factored into nation rankings?
Sub-trees are a major variable. A nation with a weak domestic lineup can jump tiers if its sub-tree fills critical gaps, particularly at higher battle ratings where vehicle diversity matters most. Community lists that account for sub-trees tend to rank nations differently than those that only evaluate the main tree.
When evaluating a nation, ask yourself:
- Does the sub-tree add vehicles at ranks where the main tree is thin?
- Does the sub-tree duplicate vehicles you already have, reducing its value?
- Is the sub-tree locked behind a significant grind before it becomes useful?
These questions matter more than the raw tier placement for your personal experience.
Sub-trees fill lineup gaps
Which nations rank at the top?
Based on available community data, the nations that consistently appear in the upper tiers across multiple submitted lists share a few traits: strong vehicle variety across all ranks, competitive top-tier lineups, and sub-trees that add genuine value rather than padding.
Nations that tend to cluster at the top of community rankings generally offer players a smoother progression curve, meaning you are less likely to hit a wall at a specific battle rating where your vehicles feel outclassed.
Community tier rankings reflect the meta at a specific point in time. A single major update can move an entire nation up or down significantly. Always check the patch version tied to any tier list you consult.
Which nations are considered weaker picks?
Nations that land in the lower tiers across multiple community lists typically share one or more of these problems:
- Thin lineups at specific rank brackets that force you into uncompetitive vehicles
- Sub-trees that overlap with the main tree rather than complementing it
- Top-tier vehicles that lag behind equivalent vehicles in other nations
The "Bad" tier in community rankings does not mean unplayable. It means the grind is harder and you will need more game knowledge to compensate for vehicle shortcomings.
Lineup depth varies by nation
How to use tier lists without getting burned
Tier lists are a starting point, not a verdict. Here is how to use them sensibly:
- Identify your preferred mode. Air, ground, and naval lineups vary significantly by nation. A nation that dominates in ground RB may have a mediocre air tree.
- Check the battle rating range you care about. Most players spend the majority of their time in mid-rank brackets. A nation ranked highly overall might have its strength concentrated at top tier.
- Factor in your playstyle. Some nations favor aggressive brawling vehicles, others reward patient sniping. Neither approach is better, but mismatching your style to your nation makes the grind feel worse.
- Revisit rankings after major updates. Gaijin's balance patches can shift entire nations. A tier list from six months ago may not reflect current vehicle performance.
The community tier list data referenced here aggregates 11 player-submitted rankings. More submissions improve accuracy, so checking platforms with higher submission counts gives you a more reliable average.
What's the best nation for new players?
Based on available community data, nations that rank in the upper half of community tier lists are generally the safer pick for new players, because better-ranked nations tend to have more forgiving progression curves. A nation with consistent vehicle quality across ranks means fewer moments where you feel like you are grinding through a bracket just to survive it.
For players who have never touched War Thunder before, the practical advice is to pick a nation whose real-world vehicles interest you. Motivation matters in a game with this much grinding. If you burn out at rank 3 because you picked a nation purely for its tier ranking, the tier list was useless anyway.
You can find more detailed breakdowns for specific vehicles and playstyles in the War Thunder guides collection on GAMES.GG, which covers everything from beginner tips to advanced tactics.
Final thoughts on picking your nation
Community tier lists give you a useful signal, but they compress a lot of nuance into a single ranking. The best nation for you is the one that matches your preferred mode, your target battle rating range, and your playstyle, ideally while also ranking well enough that the grind does not feel like a punishment.
Use the tier data as a filter, not a mandate. Check what the community is saying now, factor in the latest patch, and pick the tree you will actually enjoy playing. For more on War Thunder and other top shooter games, browse the full library at GAMES.GG.