WarThunder- Ultimate ground forces beginner guide [2018/2019]

Thank you for bearing with, delay after delay made this one a nightmare to make, I wanted to add about 20 minutes extra at the end of this video but it got to the point where I had so much stuff on the timeline the program kept crashing, but hopefully this video is substantial enough!
Link if you want to support me- paypal.me/OxygenThief
Discord- / discord
-FAQ-
(nothing yet, I'll try to update this weekly, if this section gets large enough I'll probably make a downloadable document with all the information)
Special thanks to this lot, for helping with aspects of the video-
Sykes
Stoatie
Inazuma
Kurttank43
FooFooCuddlypoops
GreekIsMad
Blackheat

[@oxy3185]

I hope you enjoy the video, there's a lot of information here so I really do recommend watching it in segments so it's not too overwhelming, I just wanted all the information to be accessible and in one place, if you have any further questions feel free to leave them in the comments or join my discord if you'd like to ask me anything personally, additionally we have a channel explicitly for War Thunder questions if you'd like a quick response- Also- would any of you like a downloadable document with bullet points of information, like a very very condensed version of this video that you can check whenever you like, if so let me know and I'll get to work on that! Alllllso for those of you who this video isn't directed to, I've come up with a radical little drinking game while you watch the video- take a shot every time- -There's an audio pop -I say generally or ultimately -Grammatical error (Don't actually do this you'll die) ( just take a sip of your Monster ultra or something)

[@stillewillem7203]

Disc link is valid

[@stutayls]

Discord link is invalid or has expired

[@kommandantkillcode]

Oxy Hey, the suspension upgrade makes it easier to fire after stopping, while moving or while slowing down. I noticed this on my own between the IS-2s when taking them out in test drive.

[@jred1234]

canadian armed forced insignia cheers from canada nice vid !

[@ThisOLmaan]

Oxy:: hell yes sir i enjoyed the video too much info thanks too you👍🏼👍🏼💥⚔ , you must of read the while page on each shell type, or article, and everything else you ddi ur homework, as we all should do to get better at the game play, know ur enemies tank...

[@Haloreach1950]

Played the game over 2500h, watch your video anyway

[@949surferdude]

@Soldier46 5 hours so far. Can't figure out how to buy new German tank.

[@B.D.E.]

@@949surferdude Research it first, by selecting it on the research tree and clicking on research. Play battles in tanks from that tree, and once you unlock it, buy it with the money you make from battles. Then train a crew to use it (just more money) and presto.

[@nulaponlove5621]

Those are noob # gota pump it ☝. Mine is 4.5ks

[@tiptoe_modelling562]

Same xD

[@flak88autocannon70]

Look at these noobs any one who has less. Than 20000 hours is a noob

[@goodgirl99us]

No apologizes needed I wish I found your video 2 controllers ago.

[@InitiateDee]

"2 controllers ago" lmao

[@mykolasriskus7707]

Hahahaha😂😂😂😂

[@germanbias3614]

Raquel Bauman 😂

[@Rusty-iv9qi]

PCMR

[@falkland-palauunion9757]

Rip them

[@scorch___]

10k battles under my belt, yet I still found myself actually learning something.. Thank you Oxy. Had this video existed back in spring 2014 when I started playing it would've reduced big amount of beginner mistakes I made.

[@F_lynx]

u nub ;)

[@scorch___]

@@F_lynx thank you for your constructive criticism ;) Jk, fucc off Meme's alt...

[@F_lynx]

S_C_O_R_C_H nice try guessing that i am millers alt but i aint :D

[@scorch___]

@@F_lynx ^°^ It wasnt a try... (Iki)

[@maxattack3853]

Wait didn't it come out in 2016

[@UncleManuel]

Lengthy? Maybe. But absofuckinglutely helpful since this game isn't very intuitive and can be frustrating for beginners. Things are much clearer now. Thank you so much! 8-)

[@pawel5218]

I rate the fedora

[@nekko5778]

it is frustrating

[@nevize6660]

I do not have the option to play this, why do i have these stupid problems.

[@cutthroat795]

I focus on different crew skills for the role of the vehicle. Light tanks: driving, arty, targeting, awareness Medium tanks: repair, reloading, arty, commanding Heavy tank: repair, reloading, commanding Spaa: targeting, gunner vitality, arty Tank Destroyer: repair, agility, reloading, awareness

[@vaclav_fejt]

Addendum for the lesser tech trees, where you can grind for higer BR sooner than with the larger trees: Go for versatile crews. This will maximise your crew levels and allow you to upgrade your crews to Expert as soon as possible.

[@Damian-03x3]

I focus on reloading and targetting first, then rangefinding, driving and leadership in all of my crews.

[@RusskiBlusski]

as someone who has put 700 hours in the game, i found this to be a pretty cool guide, but there is one thing i think might be good to mention, and that is machine gun spotting, such as shooting an enemy with machine guns can sometimes mark them on the minimap, along with shooting machine guns through smoke can also reveal the enemys position making it possible to kill them through smoke.

[@a_lauscha5604]

As someone who is familiar with the Air-battle part of the game and considering to -- finally -- try Tank battles, I must say that this is incredibly helpful. (And very nicely done!) You Sir are the real MVP! O7

[@duckman5891]

How has ground battles been?

[@BattleSloths]

The mic audio was severely lowered from 41:18 when you started talking about Tank Destroyers, I could barely hear you lol

[@low_level_wot9283]

"Join in progress" means, that you are joining a losing battle, which players are leaving....it is a must to set it off, I agree.

[@bmccarty2012]

Thanks! This was really helpful, especially for a hack like me who doesn't know a thing about angling armor and goes around with a full ammo load. Now I know why I get burned down every other time I play.

[@thatguyrome6045]

you know it would have been really nice if someone stopped me from starting out with France, the getting frustrated then going to Britain and thinking I was an extremely bad player and then quitting.

[@howcanyoureadthistheresnop9244]

Some Guy you still playing or no

[@koencagurangan3256]

I started with Sweden but A stupidly high death count due to Spitfires, Yak’s, and BF 109’s makes me regret it and think i should’ve gone with Britain, USSR, Germany and such

[@Koyomix86]

@@koencagurangan3256 USSR is good but it takes forever to get to top tier and also you’ll get stuck in T-54 hell. Don’t do Germany it’s the most painful tree and I have no experience with the others. Honestly I recommend Italy they have some really fun vehicles and because it’s such a small tree you can get top tier pretty quick and Italian top tier is really good.

[@nelsonvinsha8700]

@@koencagurangan3256 sweden aviation fighter is good against air target, i kinda regret choosing japan since all their aviation focus on naval n bombing but not fighter,, its so frustating to grind

[@mark802060]

Ah calming English voice...finally! As you said: "Let's get started".

[@madsharkz8640]

One time I completely wasted my plane by flying it into a tank thinking I would kill it. I’m smarter now tho

[@LtRiot]

it used to. And it was cancer

[@laksamanasuhendra5868]

*kamikaze*

[@Raptor_360]

I think we all thought we could be Kamikaze pilots at some point of the game.

[@TDKn1ght]

One time?! It took me 12 times before I realized it wasn’t because I wasn’t going fast enough or because I wasn’t hitting the right spot... I’m not really smarter now, but I realized I’m a great pilot as I never missed a Kamikaze.

[@narvaisthequiet7988]

Your not the only one

[@ZETH_27]

I have to say. You have some very interesting preset names.

[@julianmorrisco]

I’m watching this a second time. Been playing since November when I first watched this but after a couple of months playing I want to go through it again. Cheers, Oxy.

[@prestonclay8098]

My first of Oxy's vid's. Fantastic, straight and to the point. Can't wait to see more!!! Thanks!!!

[@the-macjagger]

@Oxy one tip to add to AB play...very important. RP transfer to crew skill and module research is 3 times that of RB. .3x vs .1x. Very good idea to play AB with stock lineups until researching FPE and 1st upgraded round. RB however yields higher overall RP for vehicle research.

[@sonsoffishes1]

Wow. Thank you so much! Steep learning curve in this game and this is going to help me immensely! Sure it's a long video but definitely worth every second. Good job!

[@MalakianM2S]

RB may be the most fun, but it isn't when you are trying to learn the ropes and you realize 1.3 ground rbs are full of seal clubbers really eager to show you how unfun the whole thing is. Anyways, great video and great content, a year old video and still of great help and value, thanks a lot.

[@therightmind7466]

"I find it enjoyable to go from the 1930's tank to the M1A2 abrams...." IT WOULD TAKE YOU OVER 2 YEARS TO GET IT WITHOUT PAYING ANYTHING!!!

[@fatsquidpis8660]

Not really. I grinded the American tree to the Abrams in like a month and a half without paying.

[@ruvyzvat4741]

@@fatsquidpis8660 i would not find that realistic but i have noticed that people who finally get jets or top tier tanks usually have taken 2 years because they were going for 5 nations at once. i have grinded the America tech tree in 7 months i have everything from jets and top tier tanks i was free 2 play for most of this time

[@professionalsamuraiforhire2451]

well it took them like 70 years to get there. So for me, 2 years is fine.

[@streetfighter2471]

@@fatsquidpis8660 Bull fucking shit. It took me a whole year to get anywhere close the the modern mbts.

[@AntonHofscheisser]

@@streetfighter2471 true I play since 3 months and I'm not half way done but I'm also bad most of the time😂

[@Forward__Unto_Dawn]

Thanks! I got to start the game recently and this helped a lot. Being a Wot player i knew the basics,but the details sure did come in handy.

[@n1wakeboarder42]

A video made by an educated (and organized) player. Thank you

[@scrapacoco6890]

Thanks for taking the time to make this vid! I was shocked at first when i saw the vid was an hour & a half long but after watching it i see why it needed to be that long if not longer :)

[@JoseLopez-cf6ln]

Hi can you make a same video but about planes.

[@SophiFike]

This was brilliant. Wish this would've been around when I started out. Learned a few new tricks too, eg neutral reverse, hesh +/-20%. Good stuff as always man. Look forward to a plane tutorial if you get around to it.

[@matthewrikihana6818]

This was so worth watching all the way through. 4 years of playing and I still learned some important things. Perhaps more importantly I had some dangerous assumptions debunked eg solid AP vrs APHE effectiveness. My thanks for your max effort O2.

[@MrMandown46]

This was a really lovely guide. Thanks for taking the time to make it.

[@OwenWorley1]

Fantastic video. I am planning to start playing War Thunder, and watching this before diving in is (hopefuly) going to have been a good decision!

[@Abrogantul]

Thank you! I saw it while waiting for the installation of the game. Probably I shall have to get back to it, but I do appreciate the tremendous work you have done here!

[@Kaadilac]

How have you been doing?

[@Josstuka]

oh god an hour and a half this must have been a pain to make, well done!

[@SapphosSails]

This was really useful thanks! I am grinding my way through the Swedish tree as my first ground tree and honestly, it's been absolutely brutal but there were still some good tips here.

[@slammedc2003]

This guide may be over a year old, but it helped me understand a lot and is still relevant for new players. Thanks for the time and effort you put into this video!

[@davidmackey593]

Heya Oxy, loved the video, came in from Phly's channel and really learned a fair bit about the game. Looking forward to perusing through your other videos! Great job, and an hour and a half for as much information as you provided, it wasn't long at all! Well done!

[@shoafer0]

Thanks for the video. It was incredibly helpful. I just started playing the other day and was trying to treat the game like it was world of tanks, which it is definitely not. I was very lost on crew management as well as BR and lineups. Really appreciate the video!

[@emperorbless120]

What I really wished somebody had told me was C. It took me several month to figure out that you can free look with C.

[@949surferdude]

I hit C and nothing happens in tanks.

[@Linerax]

With default controls, holding down C for tanks prevents the barrel from moving while the third person camera moves.

[@dragoon3359]

yeah me too....got me killed in planes so many times

[@masonbell2929]

Emperor Bless 💀

[@ROGUESPIRIT_]

Is there a way of using this but having the turret follow the tank instead of the turret always following the last point before you pressed C?

[@paauggie]

What a brilliant video - I've been playing well over 2 years and still learned loads - thanks for posting

[@ota92ppon]

I just want to say Thank You for this video. Shamefully, I have been playing WT (almost always Ground Force) for years now, on and off not everyday, yet I still struggle very much when it comes to saving up RPs every single game (arcade mode, realistic is too much for me). The stamp time in the video really helped, I just wanted to know how to kill tanks, win games, and save up more RPs so I am only watching Intro and Advanced Tips for now. How to angle your tank after checking armor thickness and take down crews by aiming shots more strategically were some of simple, straightforward tips I was looking for on KZbin and I am sure there are more since I haven't finished watching the last segment yet, thanks again! You've earned my subs with this. Oh, just a side note, I see many German tanks in the video, Maus is actually what I am saving up RPs for right now, I was lucky to have gotten its research started before WT moved it into event vehicles in one of the updates, so now I can just continue research it and will eventually get it once I have the RPs! I haven't played any other lineup, only German, because... Tiger rocks! Sounds cool, unbreakable and packs a punch! I can recognize a Tiger anywhere just by seeing its turret with the cute tube thingies on the side and the bigger tubes on Tiger's butt :3 Love my Tigers!~ Cant wait for Maus!!

[@GewelReal]

IMO there are only 2 things that are really important: minimap and awarness. Over half of my kills are on headless chickens just running around not knowing what they are doing and just tunnel-visioning

[@ErnestoLopez-qj7iu]

Gewel ✔ I haven’t met many players with these “skills”...

[@doladolabilyo]

Stop killing me you douchebag

[@theworldoverheavan560]

@@doladolabilyolol

[@joehand2156]

And don't forget the OP tanks of the Russian and the British you don't need skill for them just point and shoot. Stay away from the Germans they have the worst tanks next to the Japanese well the Japanese tank is slightly better then the Germans

[@madcourier6217]

@@joehand2156 Ironic considering all the wherabos that fawn over the Tiger and Panther.

[@Sandycheeks6699]

I wish I found this video earlier. I'm fairly average at war thunder but I've noticed a significant difference in my performance after watching this. The segment about different shell types helped so much, thanks a ton!

[@mazer327]

Great video. Thank you for the in-depth view at this stuff. As a long-time plane person in WT, seeing this on tanks (where I am horrible!) was very helpful.

[@stutayls]

This was fantastic! So glad I gave you the 1 thousandth like! Most comprehensive game guide I've ever watched.

[@galbegun]

amazingly well put video,good pace and detail. even as a veteran player i had a lot to take from it, thank you!

[@WarrensAdventures]

I wish I had this when I first started playing WT, it was just a trial and error struggle. Good on you Oxy for helping out the new players!

[@bangboats3557]

Don't apologise, this is brilliant! Is is EVERYTHING I wanted to know about War Thunder, I've filled file cards with info I needed. Especially, crew skills and module updates. Thanks massively for this!

[@ubumbic]

I’ve just started the game, thank you so much for covering most important topics!

[@nautilusshell4167]

started out 2 days ago, ignoring all guides and heading face first into the british tree line (never played a game of this kind before). i did NOT have a good time the first few matches because, as you said, it's not very beginner friendly, however, it did force me to actually pay attention and learn the mechanics of the game, so i guess it's a win. PS: praise be thee, o crusader.

[@standown7738]

Listen up WORLD- This is THE #1 war thunder tank guide for the beginner. Are you new to War Thunder and cannot figure out certain things in the game? Right here, grab a drink and listen to this dude. I think this is one of the guys that I can never kill LOL.

[@thepilotman5378]

This is honestly a big help, as a war thunder plane vet, I appreciate advice from an experienced player. Thank you

[@VoteMarkPolk]

Well done. I have been playing for a while and found that some of the tips were worth it. No worries about the length.

[@qcarr]

I've just returned to the game after a long break and this video is a HUGE help! Thanks so much for doing this!

[@scytheoflife1947]

I hope things work out for you work wise in the end. I sub'd liked and left a comment becuase engagement always helps but you put a lot of effort into this video so thank you it is a great asset for the community.

[@DCHZS]

What a great video guide… across youtube and all game guides, this has to be one of the very best! Thanks

[@optio1142]

I cannot discribe how good this video is, I wish I can like a video twice

[@JMR120600]

I have 1k hours in WT, but your videos and format are so easy to watch, and you know so fucking much I'll probably learn something.

[@afranca1825]

Oxy thank you for the phenomenal video. This really explains alot. For the past 7 years I've been a player of the World of Tanks and World of Warships games but when I found war thunder I loved it. Your comprehensiveness answered many questions of mine. I was wondering if you could make a Aviation guide too. Have a great day!

[@Vrey662]

thats was a comprehensive tutorial for beginers and as I want to give it a try (I m done with wot and its problems) this fits me perfectly, thanks Oxy

[@biggianthand7440]

Great beginners guide, all your time and effort is much appreciated.

[@stevenweller9413]

Thanks for the effort. Very nice guide. Trying to learn why I'm so bad and this gave a lot of tips. (And I'm so bad because I haven't learned enough yet about the game, still thinking I'm in World of Tanks where it is so much easier to survive and identify targets.)

[@shipforbrainz-d33p63]

Fantastic man! Thank you very much for all the time it must have taken to make this.

[@gabrielantona]

Half way through This is literally the best guide for a video game anything I've ever seen Instant sub

[@yermom014]

Excellent video, my man. Just know your efforts are very much appreciated and this helped me a lot.

[@hentycatsanctuary2951]

Thank you its 2021 but i just started playing this game and this video helped me learn the game basics and some higher skills

[@billzonblox]

As a new player years later, this was recommended by a friend and I thoroughly enjoyed it

[@gavinjenkins899]

In arcade mode, "radio communication" is so overwhelmingly more important than everything else that I would spend like a 200 point upgrade bar on that before I would spend a 50 on anything else. Especially because the area covered goes up not linearly but quadratically per upgrade, since it's a radius.

[@matthewdowd4686]

I played this game for the first time tonight and it is pretty complicated in the menus. Glad I found this. Thanks!

[@AnteBrkic]

Man, this is maybe the only youtuber (apart from Grmlz, while he was playing) that makes sense from WarThunder. I'm gonna check now but really hope that you are still recording and of course that you had luck with finding a proper job!

[@pasamojointbro6035]

Just started playing the game and I'd say watching war thunder youtubers play helped me a lot...

[@Luck-lb3sa]

Probably the most informative WT vid I've seen. Great work!

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Agreed.

[@whatthefuckisthis7]

Thank you, I had just gotten back into war thunder and I needed a refresher

[@SteadicamCologne]

Thank you for your great tipps and advices. i play the game now about 2 days, and i personally think, that it is really great that you do those videos ! a shame for warthunder, their "noob" advice leaves more questions and " wtf" moments then this. ty =)

[@fearenhyde8943]

What a fantastic video worth a sub all on its own, outstanding information and production quality!

[@keithkraine475]

after playing nearly 500 hrs of WT, your vid was still useful and full of gems. Well done matey.

[@albensoul5828]

Can't believe I have never heard of your channel before. Very professional video great for new players!

[@davidlodge681]

Thank you. That’s explained a LOT of aspects of the game that are unclear from watching replays.

[@yannickvankerkhove5371]

Thanks for the hard work, definitely learned a lot!

[@psour33]

Thank's a lot for your priceless help. I've just began the game. I stopped Word of tank a while ago because of being a low skilled player and being often insulted in game. This one is at the moment more fun than my previous experience and I enjoy it for now.

[@primosprey]

Holy **** that's packed full of information!! You deserve a subscription for that.

[@boombeartree]

Thanx for the video was very informative. I have lots of time in WoT but only played WT briefly when it first came out. Figured i would watch this video while i wait for the game to DL.

[@timothydesjardins1811]

most informative videos on warthunder I've ever found

[@levi_exiled8579]

1 GB left to download. I have to say, you have the greatest guide so far. Thanks a lot.

[@loganknowsnoneofyourbusine263]

Oxy you’re one of the best things to happen to the war thunder community.

[@floor_sausage1626]

watching this during the 5 hour download as my friend plays and id live to cause i love this game and vehicles but ive never played and want to be ready for the storm to come thank you

[@user-vc2ud5uy4w]

Thanks for this. I've been playing for a little bit now.. but I'm not great. This video is really going to help.

[@morswestford]

Very informative and in depth video, helped me a lot. Subscribed! 🙂

[@demosearies7591]

Giving this a watch, even though I am a veteran of the game from before tanks.. there is always something all of us can learn or contribute.

[@porterschoen1510]

At lower tiers, APCR will generally go through the B1 series of tanks and the Matilda III. That's what I use them for.

[@moseshung7818]

Thank you for spending the time making the video it helped a lot

[@ColHogan-ez4ou]

Spent thousands of hours in the game and still leaned some things. I’m going to try out taking stock tanks in assault. Well coordinated video.

[@thenoobprofessor9820]

Brilliant video and very helpful. Best one I have found on KZbin to help a beginner like me.

[@kevlarss22]

This ol cowboy agrees....This truly is the ultimate beginner guide. Thanks partner

[@anonymouskellog6157]

I played this last night for the first time and my first match, we won & i got the most kills on my team which granted 4 kills isn't really outstanding but being my very first match that felt really good

[@jmsdfdamacloid__9306]

Sorry to burst your bubble but those were Bots they're extremely easy kill and extremely dumb so yeah

[@Ethan-vj5mt]

Arcade or RB?

[@Schimml0rd]

Great video, very good overview! And yes, ur right, it's a good thing to have everything in one place!

[@sidneyjohnson6882]

Thanks for the video dude! Jumped into the first match with 9 kills!

[@jamesstokes2981]

The length of the video was good and very knowledgeable of the things I didn’t know.

[@RX552VBK]

Oxy, wow...I didn't think the vid was long tbh. You were talking too fast. You gave out some great info!

[@IKhanmakeWAR2]

A World of Tanks player from 2012 to 2015. This should be helpful in getting me used to WT!

[@xaviersuv791]

Dont play WOT anymore?

[@erinsmith7219]

Your right, it is just a tad long but very informative, as it is been a couple of years since I last played WT; thank you!

[@beanbagcommando]

very informative and allot of information. Probably the best i have seen.

[@keda5065]

Im level 75 in game but i still watch this whole thing because i love your vids oxy