War Thunder isn't a hero shooter, so a "best vehicle" list would be misleading — the game has thousands of vehicles balanced by Battle Rating. Instead, here is a defensible tier list of what actually helps you win and enjoy the game, especially as a newcomer.
Best beginner nations
S tier: USA and USSR. Both have deep, forgiving low-tier lineups and abundant learning resources. A tier: Germany — very strong, but faces tougher uptiers in spots. The other nations are all viable, but tend to be better as a second or third choice once you know the game.
Best mode to learn in
Arcade Battles first — respawns, markers and simplified physics let you focus on the fundamentals. Move to Realistic once aiming, angling and spawn discipline feel natural.
Best BR bracket to learn in
Roughly 1.0-3.0. Mechanics are simpler, there are no complex missiles or thermals, and mistakes are cheap to recover from.
Forgiving vehicle lines (not "best", but beginner-friendly)
- USSR low-tier tanks (T-34 family) — tough, hard-hitting, forgiving armour.
- USA props (P-51, P-47) — energy fighters that reward simple boom-and-zoom.
- USA reverse-gear tanks (M4 Sherman line) — good all-round training wheels.
Judge a "strong pick" by lineup completeness — multiple vehicles at the same BR, plus an SPAA and a CAS plane — rather than any single champion. That is how the community actually measures strength.