World of Tanks

Officially World of Tanks (Wargaming)

MMO TEAM VEHICULAR-COMBAT GAME by WARGAMING (Belarus/Cyprus, launched 2010 Russia + 2011 global) — 15-vs-15 TEAMS pilot HISTORICAL TANKS (WW1 → post-Cold War) across procedural maps. FREE-TO-PLAY with premium tiers. 600+ historically-modeled tanks across 12 nations (USSR, Germany, USA, France, UK, China, Japan, Czech, Sweden, Poland, Italy, Brazil). 160M+ registered players; long-standing WGL (Wargaming.net League) esports circuit with $500K+ prize pools 2012-2019.

⏱~10 min🌤indoor

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

TEAM eliminates OPPOSING team OR CAPTURES enemy base flag; individual XP + damage-per-battle scored.

Rules

Basic rules

15v15 STANDARD BATTLE: Random Battle mode; 5-15 min per match
Signature 15v15 format.
10 TIER SYSTEM: TIER I (early WW1 light tanks) → TIER X (post-WW2 heavy + medium + tank destroyer); MATCHMAKING places you against ±2 tiers
Signature 10-tier system.
5 TANK CLASSES: LIGHT (fast + scout), MEDIUM (all-round), HEAVY (armor + firepower), TANK DESTROYER (glass-cannon), ARTY/SPG (indirect-fire, sky-cam)
Signature 5 tank classes.
600+ HISTORICALLY-MODELED TANKS across 12 nations: USSR, Germany, USA, France, UK, China, Japan, Czech, Sweden, Poland, Italy, Brazil (2024)
Signature 600+ tank roster.
HISTORICAL ACCURACY: real WW1-post-Cold-War designs (T-34, Tiger, Sherman, Panther, Maus, Object 279e, etc.) with modeled armor angles + shell physics
Signature historical accuracy.
CLAN WARS: strategic MAP-CONTROL meta-game — real-money-value tournaments 'GLOBAL MAP' campaigns
Signature Clan Wars strategic map.
WGL: Wargaming.net League — pro esports circuit 2012-2019 with $500K+ finals prize pool (Grand Finals in Warsaw + Moscow)
Signature WGL esports history.
CROSS-PLATFORM WoT SIBLINGS: World of Warships, World of Warplanes, World of Tanks Blitz (mobile), World of Tanks Modern Armor (console rebrand)
Signature cross-platform Wargaming siblings.

Scoring

Team victory (elimination or base capture) + individual XP/Credits/Damage; ranked mode has MMR; WGL had prize-money bracket format.

Win condition · Eliminate opposing team or capture base OR most XP at time limit.

Equipment

GAMING PC (Steam + Wargaming.net client) or PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series (Modern Armor version)
Standard PC/console.
STANDARD CONTROLLER (console) or KEYBOARD + MOUSE (PC)
Standard inputs.
F2P monetization: premium tanks + premium account boosters
Standard F2P premium model.

Terminology

Tier X: Highest tier tank — endgame competitive content.
Arty / SPG: Self-propelled gun — indirect artillery class.
Sidescraping: Angling armor to deflect shells.
Hull-down: Cresting terrain with only turret exposed.
Platoon: Party of 2-3 tanks queueing together.
Ping: Marking map for team communication.
WGL: Wargaming.net League — official pro esports circuit.
T-34 / Tiger / Sherman: Iconic WW2 tanks — heavily featured historical models.

Major competitions

WGL Grand Finals (World Championship)
annual · Global (Warsaw + Moscow historical hosts, 2013-2019) · since 2013
Blitz Twister Cup (World of Tanks Blitz mobile)
annual · Global · since 2018
WoT Console Global Series (Modern Armor)
annual · Global console · since 2022
Regional leagues: WGL EU/NA/APAC/CIS
seasonal · Multi-continent · since 2012

Governing bodies

Wargaming (developer + publisher + esports operator)
Founded 1998 · Nicosia, Cyprus (HQ); Vilnius (Lithuania since 2022)
Wargaming.net League (WGL) — esports division
Founded 2012 · Cyprus (Wargaming subsidiary)

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

Alexei 'Straik' (RU, multi-time WGL winner)
GRAND FINALS 2018 WINNER: SG Racing (KR, from World of Tanks Blitz)
NA winners: eClipse Gaming; EU winners: Team Efficiency, HELLRAISERS

Sources & provenance

Wikipedia — World of Tanks— Wikipedia
World of Tanks official— Wargaming

Last verified 2026-08-28.verified