I highly recommend GHPC for anyone looking for a highly realistic armored warfare experience, but you hate getting dunked on in War Thunder. It features accurate crew-call outs (only for NATO at the moment), highly detailed ballistics and vehicle models, and the general chaos and mayhem of warfare. The only HUD elements you get is whatever your respective vehicle is equipped with and information you would know if you were actually inside the vehicle (ammunition count/type, vehicle speed, azimuth)

For new players who do not have experience on other tank games or with real experience on armored vehicles it can be quite daunting. There are community guides which can be extremely helpful in understanding what the heck is going on. Read them, they will make your life easier. I will offer a few pointers to get you started though:

1: Cover and concealment are tantamount to survival. Just as a person would use a wall, tree, or foxhole as cover from incoming fire, an armored vehicle needs to use the terrain around it to survive. This can range from a tree-line, a hill, battle position, or building. Use cover and concealment, the enemy's guns are just as big if not bigger than yours; you are not invincible. (Unless you're in an abrams in the defilade, then you're unstoppable)

2: Scan. I cannot express how important it is to scan through the gunner's thermal optics. It will help you pick out targets at a distance and give you an idea of the enemy's positions. Do not just sit in the thermal optic though, the gunner's sight is like looking through a straw and can result in your ready rack getting sent into orbit.

3: Listen to your crew and learn what their call outs mean. Your TC will make call outs once he sees an enemy. Listen closely and follow their directions (generally) Sometimes the crew will get overwhelmed and make mistakes, at this point you need to decide what is best for your survival. Best practice is to engage the greatest and nearest threat first, then work from there.

I highly recommend GHPC for anyone looking for a highly realistic armored warfare experience, but you hate getting dunked on in War Thunder. It features accurate crew-call outs (only for NATO at the moment), highly detailed ballistics and vehicle models, and the general chaos and mayhem of warfare. The only HUD elements you get is whatever your respective vehicle is equipped with and information you would know if you were actually inside the vehicle (ammunition count/type, vehicle speed, azimuth) For new players who do not have experience on other tank games or with real experience on armored vehicles it can be quite daunting. There are community guides which can be extremely helpful in understanding what the heck is going on. Read them, they will make your life easier. I will offer a few pointers to get you started though: 1: Cover and concealment are tantamount to survival. Just as a person would use a wall, tree, or foxhole as cover from incoming fire, an armored vehicle needs to use the terrain around it to survive. This can range from a tree-line, a hill, battle position, or building. Use cover and concealment, the enemy's guns are just as big if not bigger than yours; you are not invincible. (Unless you're in an abrams in the defilade, then you're unstoppable) 2: Scan. I cannot express how important it is to scan through the gunner's thermal optics. It will help you pick out targets at a distance and give you an idea of the enemy's positions. Do not just sit in the thermal optic though, the gunner's sight is like looking through a straw and can result in your ready rack getting sent into orbit. 3: Listen to your crew and learn what their call outs mean. Your TC will make call outs once he sees an enemy. Listen closely and follow their directions (generally) Sometimes the crew will get overwhelmed and make mistakes, at this point you need to decide what is best for your survival. Best practice is to engage the greatest and nearest threat first, then work from there.