War Thunder Research Points: How to Earn RP and Spend It

Every vehicle is unlocked with research points. Silver Lions buy vehicles and modifications; research points are the currency of progression, earned almost entirely by playing. Where RP comes from — and where it does not — is the difference between a tree that progresses and one that stalls.

Where research points come from

RP is awarded per battle, and the award scales with what you did, not just whether you won:

• Activity score. The single largest factor. Time on target, damage, assists, captures, and spotting all feed it.
• Victory bonus. Winning pays more, but it is a bonus on top of activity, not a replacement for it.
• Modifications and premium status. A premium account multiplies RP income, and certain modifications and events can add more. Check the store and your vehicle’s modification list for current values.
• Mode differences. Reward multipliers differ by mode, so play where you perform best.

The headline rule: an active loss generates more research than a passive win. If you spend the battle hiding, you will research slowly no matter how often your team wins.

The efficiency question

Research efficiency is RP per minute of play, and it depends on three choices you control:

1. The vehicle you drive. Vehicles you play well generate activity; ones you are learning in generate less. Research with a vehicle you can perform in, not one you wish you were good at.
2. The lineup around it. A vehicle at the bottom of a wide BR spread fights constant uptiers, where survival — and activity — is harder. Tight spreads research better.
3. The mode you queue. Pick the mode where your performance is highest. If realistic battles suit your play, queue there, even if arcade games are faster.

Choosing the next vehicle to research

The research screen offers several options at once. Use this order:

1. Research what you will play. A vehicle in your active lineup researches itself as a byproduct of battles you enjoy.
2. Research what fills a role gap. If your lineup has no vehicle that can scout, flank, or punch through heavies, fix that before adding a fourth similar tank.
3. Research the prerequisite, not the prize. The fastest route to the vehicle you want often runs through an unexciting mid-tier vehicle. View it as a stepping stone and move on.
4. Check the BR before committing. A vehicle at the top of a bracket fights tougher opponents and repairs cost more; the repair cost page covers the economic side.

Research habits that slow your tech tree down

Do not spread research across five nations at once — progress compounds within a line, and concentrated effort unlocks vehicles that research each other. Do not research in a vehicle you perform badly in either; the RP per hour is worse than it looks.

Research is a long game by design. The efficient path is boring: play vehicles you are good at, stay active, stay alive, and let the points accumulate. The Silver Lions overview covers the other currency, and win rate mechanics explains why the objective metrics beat the scoreboard.