New Run of Nuclear Escalation!
Nuclear Escalation event returns with two distinct aircraft eras, a major overhaul to SAM AI behavior, and doubled Silver Lion rewards for ground targets.
Key Changes
- 1Two separate aircraft eras (Early and Late) are now available simultaneously in the event
- 2Silver Lion rewards for destroying ground vehicles have been doubled
- 3SAM systems now activate search radars at 1.5x launch range and must slow down to fire
- 4New ARM countermeasure logic allows SAMs to shut down radar to dodge incoming missiles
- 5Naval air defenses improved with SM-2MR missiles and better low-altitude targeting
- 6Anti-ship munitions now target crew compartments for increased critical damage
- 7Silver Lion rewards for aircraft kills reduced by 8%
- 8Long-range SAMs restricted from firing at low-flying targets beyond 20km
All Changes
🎮Game Modes(4)
- newNuclear Escalation: Nuclear Escalation event returns from July 22nd to July 28th
- changeNuclear Escalation: Two mission variants available simultaneously: Early Era (BR 10.3–12.7) and Late Era (BR 13.0–14.7)
- newNuke Carriers: Nuke carriers recently added to Ground Battles are now available in Late Era Escalation battles
- changeMatchmaking: Nation lineups restricted to USSR vs. Everyone or USSR + China vs. Everyone for balance
🚀Air Defense(9)
- changeSAM Systems: Short-range SAM systems now activate search radars when players are within 1.5x the system's missile launch range
- changeSAM Systems: SAMs in convoys no longer fire while moving at full speed and must slow down to launch and guide missiles
- newSAM Systems: Added ARM countermeasure logic where SAM systems can shut down radar to dodge incoming anti-radiation missiles
- fixHQ-11: Fixed an issue where HQ-11 and SPYDER systems ignored small munitions like GBU-39 and GBU-53
- changeSAM AI: Implemented temporary 'pseudo-RCS' mechanic giving lower priority to small/stealth munitions (GBU-39, GBU-53, SPICE 250, 9M127 Vikhr, Brimstone, AGM-154 JSOW)
- nerfLong-range SAM: Long-range air defense systems no longer fire on low-flying targets beyond 20 kilometers
- changeLong-range SAM: Long-range systems now assign lower priority to targets moving away from them
- changeUI Markers: SAM detection markers now increase in range while the system is firing
- changeUI Markers: SAM markers now persist for 10 seconds after the target is no longer detected
⚓Naval Combat(4)
- changeNaval AI: Fine-tuned ship-based air defense targeting logic and engagement ranges
- fixNaval AI: Fixed bug preventing AI ships from engaging low-flying targets and anti-ship missiles
- newSM-2MR: Added SM-2MR (RIM-66C) surface-to-air missiles to ships
- buffAnti-Ship Munitions: Anti-ship missiles and guided bombs now specifically target crew compartments for more critical damage
💰Economy & Scoring(4)
- buffEconomy: Silver Lion rewards for destroying ground vehicles have been doubled
- nerfEconomy: Silver Lion rewards for destroying aircraft have been reduced by 8%
- changeBattle Balance: Increased ticket cost of destroyed vehicles and total ticket pool for team scoring
- changeBattle Balance: Increased the number of tickets required to trigger the next escalation stage
Summary
The Nuclear Escalation event returns to War Thunder from July 22nd to July 28th, featuring significant mechanical updates. This iteration introduces two separate aircraft eras running simultaneously, allowing for a wider range of Battle Ratings. The update focuses heavily on air defense balance, introducing more realistic radar behavior, anti-radiation missile countermeasures, and improved naval defenses. Additionally, the economy within the mode has been shifted to favor ground objective play by doubling rewards for destroying ground vehicles while slightly reducing rewards for air-to-air combat.