Gaijin Entertainment has unveiled a substantial update for War Thunder, titled Heavenly Guardians, which broadens the battlefield with fresh air and ground combat maps while introducing a slate of new military gear. The expansion promises a richer, more strategic experience across multiple theater environments, inviting players to explore new aerial routes and ground engagements that complement the game’s core realism and tech-tree progression.
With Heavenly Guardians, the Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile and artillery system takes center stage. This system combines a pair of radar-guided surface-to-air missiles with a rapid-fire 30mm cannon, enabling effective protection against a range of aerial threats. The Pantsir-S1 can detect enemy units at distances reaching up to 20 kilometers and possesses the capability to track and engage four targets simultaneously, delivering a versatile defensive option for teams during intense air sorties and ground operations alike.
The patch also introduces the AH-6M Little Bird helicopter, a fast and agile platform designed for rapid strike missions. While it may present light armor, its speed and precision armament compensate by allowing pilots to deliver targeted fire from machine guns, unguided rockets, and guided missiles, including the Hellfire II anti-tank guided missiles. The helicopter’s combination of speed and firepower makes it a formidable asset for hit-and-run tactics and battlefield reconnaissance.
Additionally, Heavenly Guardians adds a brand-new map named Pyrenees, crafted to optimize aerial combat and high-energy engagements. The terrain and layout encourage dynamic dogfights, quick vertical maneuvers, and coordinated air tactics. Alongside Pyrenees, several classic maps will receive winter variants to reflect seasonal conditions, bringing updated visual aesthetics and altered flight and ground dynamics. These include Seversk-13, Ardennes, and the Maginot Line, each receiving a winter makeover that affects visibility, traction, and line-of-sight considerations on the battlefield.
In practice, players can expect a mix of enhanced mobility, available firepower, and strategic options that reward teamwork and adaptive playstyles. Heavenly Guardians broadens the tactical palette by balancing advanced airframes with a capable anti-air system and a nimble support helicopter, all set against newly designed environments that test pilots and gunners in varied weather and terrain conditions. The combination of fresh gear and redesigned maps is aimed at sustaining long-term engagement for War Thunder fans across North America, including players in Canada and the United States, while also appealing to a broader international audience seeking modern military sim realism and diversified combat scenarios.