War Thunder has just unleashed one of its final major updates for 2024 entitled ‘Firebirds’. It introduces a ton of new vehicles of all types, as well as changes to a number of maps, and visual tweaks.

The title ‘Firebirds’ refers to War Thunder’s ambition to introduce a number of light vehicles to suit a play style that the multiplayer game hasn’t fulfilled before. If you’re all about high risk, high reward, you will probably get a kick out of these new options.

Elsewhere, we have a revamped Abandoned Factory map, better testflights so you can practice your skills, and a whole host of visual upgrades. These include new new physics, graphic settings, and even ray tracing for the first time ever.

Let’s take a look at everything that’s new.

New Vehicles Arriving With the Firebirds Update

There are an absolute ton of new vehicles in War Thunder arriving with the Firebird update, so we’re going to break them down by type to help you check at a glance.

Ground Vehicles

USAT77E1Skink
GermanyLuchs A2Osa-AK
USSRObject 140Osa-ALM
Great BritainScimitarRam IIOsa-AK
JapanICV
ChinaPLZ05
ItalyOsa-AKM
FranceLeopard 2A4NLLeopard 2A5NLLeopard 2A6NL
SwedenBMP-2MD
IsraelSabra MK. 1

Aircraft

The new aircraft very much focuses on stealth, which is a potential brand new gameplay type in War Thunder. If you want to fly under the radar and destroy more powerful opponents without retaliation, check out the new options.

It’s worth noting that not all of the aircraft below are brand new planes. Several have just received cockpit updates.

USAF-117A OCIP IIF-15E
GermanyJu 87Su-22M4 WTD61
USSRSu-34BB-1Su-2
Great BritainTornado GR.4
JapanAV-8S
ChinaMirage 2000 5Ei
FranceMirage 2000 RMV
SwedenJA37DIJA37DI F21
IsraelF-15I Ra-am
The Super Hind in War Thunder.
One of the best looking helicopters in War Thunder. (Picture: War Thunder)

Helicopters

The Super Hind is the highlight of the new helicopters, providing a squadron vehicle that’s capable of decimating ground vehicles.

We also have a few cockpit upgrades for existing helicopters.

USAOH-58D
USSRMi-8 AMTSh-VN
Great BritainSuper Hind
ChinaMi-35MOH-58D
ItalyA-109EOA-2

Naval Fleet

Last, but certainly not least, we have a few powerful new ships that can hold their own in intense combat thanks to their strong armour capabilities.

USAUSS Bagley
USSRPr.253L
Great BritainHMS Repulse
JapanJDS Murasame
ItalyMS 444RN Francesco Caracciolo
FranceDunkerque

Abandoned Factory and Airfields Overhaul

A bunch of different maps have seen a total overhaul, bringing them up to standard with the rest of the game. Or, perhaps in Abandoned Factory’s case, taking it to a whole new level.

This existing map has been given a bit of an overhaul, introducing more foliage and broken structures to make it feel more abandoned than ever before.

Over in the test flights space, these have had a serious improvement, with more enemies and bases to destroy. You can also spawn directly in the air if you just want to crack straight on with shooting enemies.

You can even choose them! You can spawn any type and rank of vehicle to battle, as well as opt to arrive at a hostile air defense zone.

Finally, airfields have been revamped too, and now feature a lot more fine details like skid marks and taxiways. It all adds up to a heck of a lot more realism, basically.

Overhauled Visuals and Ray Tracing

Rounding up the new features in the War Thunder Firebirds update is a massive overhaul to the visuals. Again, it all focuses on introducing more realism to the game.

There are new rain and snow weather effects, and aircraft vapour and afterburner effects. It will all just function how you expect it to in real life.

In the physics space, you can now push around static vehicles, like train carriages, when driving around as a powerful tank. That will even have gameplay ramifications, as you can smash through trains to get the jump on your opponents.

War Thunder has also finally introduced ray tracing to the experience, including new shadow maps, ambient occlusion, and reflections.

Lastly, you can now use FSR 3.1, DLAA, XeSS, or TSR for additional anti-aliasing or upscaling options.

Check out the full patch notes on the official website.

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