Is a War Thunder Premium Account Worth It?
Convert the store price into hours played: premium pays back through Silver Lion and Research Point bonuses once your weekly match volume crosses a line.
A premium account in War Thunder is a time purchase. It does not make you stronger; it makes the same matches pay more Silver Lions and Research Points. Whether it is worth it depends on one number you can calculate yourself: how many matches you actually play per week.
What premium changes
Premium raises the reward side of every match. Two currencies matter:
- Silver Lions: a percentage bonus on match rewards. Directly reduces the number of matches needed to fund your next vehicle.
- Research Points: a percentage bonus on research progress. This is the quieter value — faster research means fewer total matches spent on the tech tree.
Both stack with other multipliers like talismans, so a talismaned vehicle under premium is the fastest earner in your garage.
The payback framework
Do not start from the price. Start from your habits.
Step 1. Note your average matches per week from your recent play. Step 2. Note your average net SL per match and average RP per match without premium. Step 3. Multiply each by the premium bonus percentage to get the bonus per match. Step 4. Divide the store price by your weekly bonus total. That is your payback period in weeks.
Interpretation:
| Weekly volume | Verdict |
|---|---|
| A few matches | The payback period stretches past your interest in the game |
| Regular sessions | Pays back in SL and RP within a reasonable window |
| Heavy play | The RP bonus alone justifies it before SL is counted |
The current price and bonus percentage change over time and by region, so check the store and your in-game reward screens for current values instead of trusting any fixed figure.
The honest caveat
Premium does not fix a losing economy. If your matches are net-negative because of early deaths and high repair bills, the bonus applies to a negative number. Fix your survival habits first — grinding Silver Lions and repair cost mechanics cover that ground — then layer premium on top of a healthy loop.
Alternatives to compare
Before buying premium, price the alternatives with the same framework:
- Golden Eagles spent on crew slots expand how many vehicles you can field without re-training — see the GE spending guide.
- A talisman on one frequently played vehicle may deliver more benefit per coin than an account-wide bonus you underuse.
Premium is a volume purchase. Buy it when your volume is real, not when you hope it will be.
Sources & References
This guide is verified against the game's own data and official communications. For patch notes, current balance, and authoritative specifics, consult the references below. Where a precise number cannot be verified, we explain the mechanic rather than invent a figure.
- War Thunder on Steam — patch notes, current season, and authoritative game data.