Joining the fray of War Thunder’s dynamic battlefield demands not just guts and gunpowder but also a abysmal strategic understanding and mastery over the myriad of roles you can play. Among these roles, wielding the devastating power of artillery stands out as both a thrilling and tactically demanding endeavor. In this detailed analysis, we’re going to dive into the core of mastering artillery in War Thunder, so you can rain destruction upon your foes and support your team to victory from a distance.
Types of Artillery
Artillery in War Thunder is not a monolith; it encompasses a variety of machinery, each with its own quirks, capabilities, and strategic value. From the whistling shells of light howitzers to the earth-shattering kaboom of heavy artillery, understanding these types is your first step to becoming an artillery maestro.
Light Artillery (Self-Propelled and Towed): Swift and somewhat stealthy, light artillery pieces are the skirmishers of the artillery world. They can relocate quickly, making them harder to counter. Their shells may not pack the biggest punch, but their rate of fire can suppress enemy movements effectively.
Medium Artillery: The jack-of-all-trades in the artillery family. They offer a balance between mobility, rate of fire, and the punch of their shells. They require a player who can adapt quickly to shifting battlefield dynamics.
Heavy Artillery: The behemoths. Heavy artillery pieces churn the battlefield with their massive shells, capable of devastating fortified positions and causing sheer chaos among enemy ranks. What they offer in firepower, they pay for in mobility, making positioning crucial and repositioning a confront.
Rocket Artillery: A spectacle of destruction. Rocket artillery can unleash barrages that blanket an area in explosions. Their intimidating presence can suppress enemy advances and break stalemates, although they lack the precision of gun artillery.
Mastering these types will allow you to choose the right tool for the task at hand, adapting your playstyle to the needs of your team and the demands of the battlefield.
Artillery Tactics
Artillery play in War Thunder is as much about the mind game as it is about firepower. Here are some strategic layers you’ll need to weave into your gameplay to excel:
Map Control and Early Suppression: Use your initial barrages to disrupt enemy advancements and scout out forward positions. Denying the enemy key locations early on can set the tone for the rest of the match.
Interdiction Fire: Learn to predict enemy movements and positions. Lay down barrages on crucial passageways and likely cover spots to stifle enemy progress and isolate units.
Timing and Coordination: Artillery shines brightest when working in concert with your team. Time your barrages to coincide with friendly assaults, breaking enemy lines right when your team is ready to push.
Ammo Selection: Utilize high-explosive shells for soft targets and personnel, while saving armor-piercing or specialized munitions for fortifications or enemy artillery positions.
Positioning and Map Awareness
The battlefield is your chessboard, and good positioning is critical to your success as an artillery player.
High Ground Advantage: Whenever possible, take positions that offer a broad view of the battlefield. High vantage points allow for greater shell trajectory control and better target procurement.
Concealment: Your firepower makes you a priority target. Use terrain features, foliage, and destroyed vehicles to mask your position. Remaining unseen is often as important as having a good shot.
Proximity to Objectives: While keeping a safe distance is key, positioning too far from objectives can render your support ineffective. Find the sweet spot where you can impact the battle while staying out of direct engagement range.
Map Knowledge: Each map in War Thunder has its choke points, cover spots, and vantage points. Learn them. Knowing where you can be most effective and which areas to avoid can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Counter-Battery Fire
As an artillery player, you’re not just a predator; you’re also prey. Counter-battery fire—artillery targeting artillery—is a critical aspect of higher-level play.
Sound Signatures: Pay attention to the distinct sounds of enemy artillery firing. This can often give away their position even if you can’t see them directly.
Reposition Often: After you fire a few volleys, relocate. Experienced players will zero in on your position quickly. Staying mobile makes you a hard target.
Watch for Tracers and Smoke: Enemy fire can often be traced back to its source. Keep an eye out for tracers and smoke columns which can betray an enemy artillery’s location.
Use Counter-Battery Radars: Some advanced units come equipped with counter-battery radars that can pinpoint the origin of incoming fire. Utilize these tools whenever available.
Artillery vs. Tank Engagements
While not your primary prey, there will be times when engaging tanks and armored vehicles is necessary.
Use Terrain: Engage only when you have terrain advantage. Use hills to expose only your barrel or employ buildings as hard cover.
Direct Hits: Against armored targets, direct hits are a must. Aim for weak spots – the rear, the sides, and specifically, the turret rotation mechanism or tracks to immobilize them.
Communication: Alert your team to armored threats. Artillery can slow or halt an armored advance, but dealing with tanks is a team effort.
Escape Routes: Always have an escape route planned. If an enemy tank is closing in, use your mobility (if applicable) to relocate before they can get a bead on you.
Raining hellfire from afar, artillery gameplay in War Thunder offers a unique blend of strategic planning, tactical precision, and the raw excitement of obliterating your opponents with superior firepower. By mastering the types of artillery, employing cunning tactics, positioning smartly, engaging in counter-battery tactics, and knowing how to handle direct engagements, you’ll become a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. With these strategies in your arsenal, the thunder of war will echo your prowess. Good luck, commander, and let the skies roar with the thunder of your artillery.