| Aspect | Official Custom Battles | Unofficial Emulators | |--------|------------------------|----------------------| | Legality | ✅ 100% legal | ❌ Against EULA | | Ease of setup | ✅ 2 clicks | ❌ Requires coding & patching | | Full gameplay | ✅ (all modes) | ❌ Broken/basic | | Progression | ❌ None | ❌ None | | Ban risk | ✅ None | ⚠️ High | | Player count | Up to 32 (limited by netcode) | Varies (typically <10) |
If you're interested in custom battles or modded gameplay, War Thunder already has a mode where you can set up matches with friends and tweak certain rules — all on official servers.
You can fill empty player slots with AI-controlled tanks or planes to create massive PvE scenarios. 2. User-Generated Missions (WT Live)
Gaijin’s servers handle hit registration, penetration mechanics, economic transactions, vehicle unlocking, and anti-cheat checks. war thunder private server
Using these can be a grey area. While Gaijin generally ignores them if they don't impact the live game's economy, they technically violate the Terms of Service regarding client modification. 3. Dedicated Server Hosting (Official)
To help you get started with customizing your gameplay, let me know: I can provide a step-by-step walkthrough for your choice. Share public link
: If Gaijin detects modified client files or unauthorized connection tools on your system, your official account face a permanent ban. | Aspect | Official Custom Battles | Unofficial
: You can select specific maps (e.g., Normandy, European Province), difficulty settings (Arcade, Realistic, Simulator), and limit which vehicle ranks are allowed.
The only legitimate way to create a private match is via .
For a more structured "private server" feel, joining a community that runs regular events is the best choice. Many organizations use the Custom Battle system to host persistent campaigns, role-playing events, or historical reenactments [25†L9-L15]. These communities can be found on platforms like Discord, where dedicated groups, such as for tournament play [10†L23-L27] or GGC for large-scale missions [25†L6-L9], run their own events. Custom Battles and Missions However
You cannot earn Silver Lions (SL) or Research Points (RP) in Custom Battles.
In War Thunder terminology, a "private server" is a specialized session created by a user through the menu. Unlike public matches, the creator has full authority over the session settings.
While you can't host a private instance of the entire game, there are ways to achieve a similar experience: 1. Custom Battles and Missions
However, players can achieve "private" gameplay through official in-game features: 1. Custom Battles (Private Matches)
Here is a full write-up on the current state of private and custom servers in War Thunder as of April 2026. 1. The "War Thunder CDK" and Mission Editor