Before spending a resource in War Thunder, identify exactly what it is, which action you are considering and which vehicle it concerns. The available official information can help narrow the vehicle choice and prepare its controls, but it does not establish a universal spending priority.
Frame the decision before spending
- Write down the resource’s exact name, the planned action and the targeted vehicle or content.
- Compare ground vehicles by country, role, rank, Battle Rating, battle mode and catalogue status in Ground Vehicles.
- Check the required controls in the Controls index when the vehicle depends on specific settings or mechanics.
- Wait for an official indication of the cost, use, acquisition method and expected result before confirming the action.
Premium, regular or squadron status classifies a vehicle, but it does not create an economic ranking. The presence of in-game purchases on Steam confirms that purchases exist; it does not identify which resource to keep or what to buy.
Use the catalogue to narrow the vehicle choice
The official Ground Vehicles catalogue lets you filter by country and role, then by rank I to VIII, Battle Rating, battle mode and status. Apply those filters in that order so the comparison stays tied to the actual vehicle you need.
Record the differences that matter to your objective: vehicle role, desired rank, Battle Rating and planned mode. These filters organise the catalogue, but they provide neither progression costs nor resource returns, and they do not guarantee the result of a purchase.
Check the controls that affect preparation
The Controls page covers controlled suspension, multiple turrets, axes and sensitivity, as well as manual engine controls. If your choice depends on one of these functions, consult the relevant entry before spending so you know which controls must be learned or adjusted.
This is a handling check, not a pricing check. A documented control requirement can change the preparation needed for a vehicle, but it cannot prove that the vehicle is worth more resources than another one.
Follow these checks in order
- Define the objective. Note the resource, action and vehicle. If one remains unclear, postpone the decision.
- Narrow the list. Use the Ground Vehicles filters: country, role, rank, Battle Rating, mode and status.
- Check mastery. Consult Controls for special functions and identify the relevant inputs.
- Find the economic data. Look for the cost, acquisition method, use and expected effect in the game or an official source.
- Confirm or keep the resource. Reread the wording before confirming. If the information is incomplete, keep the resource rather than treating rank, premium status or a review score as a spending guide.
Steam reviews cannot replace economic data. The displayed summary includes 779,661 reviews: 554,891 positive and 224,770 negative, with an overall rating of “Mostly Positive.” Those figures describe general sentiment, not a resource strategy or purchase priority.
Practical questions
Which control should you check before choosing a vehicle?
In Controls, check whether the choice involves controlled suspension, multiple turrets, axes or manual engine controls. This clarifies the preparation required without confirming the vehicle’s cost.
When should you keep the resource?
Keep it when the game or an official source does not provide its cost, use, acquisition method and expected effect together. War Thunder Steam page confirms the free-to-play model and the presence of in-game purchases, but not an economic priority.
Ground Vehicles helps select a vehicle that matches the need, while Controls prepares its handling. Until verifiable economic information appears, postponing the spending decision is the only supported choice.
Also see the War Thunder game page and our article, [Guide] War Thunder beginner guide: adjust your controls.
