Three Interconnected Currencies
War Thunder's economy runs on Silver Lions (SL, earnable), Golden Eagles (GE, premium), and Warbonds (WB, a bonus currency earned by reaching specific Battle Pass levels), alongside a separate progression track of Research Points (RP). Silver Lions cover instant repairs, vehicle upgrades, buying non-premium vehicles, and crew qualification boosts, while Golden Eagles buy premium vehicles and accelerate progression.
The Core Economic Balance: Earn More Than You Repair
The fundamental goal is earning more Silver Lions per battle than it costs to repair your vehicle afterward. Since there's no cap on SL loss, it's genuinely possible to end a match having lost Silver Lions overall, even after a win, once repair and ammunition costs are factored in — the victory/defeat screen's displayed SL gain doesn't account for these costs.
The Daily Research Bonus
Each day, an independent research bonus applies to up to 5 battles for each vehicle type (Army, Helicopters, Aviation, Bluewater, Coastal) per nation, available once you've unlocked and purchased a "top" vehicle of that type in any nation. Using this daily bonus deliberately, rather than burning it on low-value battles, maximizes its impact on your research progression.
Convertible RP Requires Golden Eagles
After a match, some of your Research Points convert into "Convertible RP," visible only in the Hangar, which can only be used together with Golden Eagles to add bonus RP toward a vehicle's research. Since this specifically requires premium currency to actually spend, it's generally not recommended to plan around unless you're already using Golden Eagles for other purposes.
Squadron Research Points as a Group Benefit
Squadron vehicles are obtainable through Squadron Research Points, gained from being active while in a squadron, or alternatively through Golden Eagles. Joining an active squadron and contributing regularly opens a currency-free path to squadron-exclusive vehicles that would otherwise require premium spending.
Common Farming Mistakes
The most common mistake is not tracking repair and ammunition costs, leading to a false sense of profit based on the displayed SL gain alone. The second is ignoring the daily research bonus, wasting a meaningful research boost on low-value battles instead of deliberate ones. Third, don't neglect squadron activity if squadron-exclusive vehicles interest you — it's a currency-free path most solo players overlook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the core economic principle in War Thunder?
Earning more Silver Lions per battle than it costs to repair your vehicle afterward — since there's no cap on SL loss, it's genuinely possible to lose Silver Lions overall even after a win, once repair and ammo costs are factored in.
What is the daily research bonus?
An independent research bonus applying to up to 5 battles per day for each vehicle type per nation, available once you've unlocked a "top" vehicle of that type — worth using deliberately rather than on low-value battles.
Can I get squadron vehicles without spending Golden Eagles?
Yes — Squadron Research Points, earned from being active in a squadron, unlock squadron vehicles as a currency-free alternative to buying them with Golden Eagles.