War Thunder on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S plays well with a controller — especially tanks — but flying planes on a gamepad takes some setup. This guide covers the best control mode for each vehicle type, the settings worth changing, and tips that make aiming and flying far easier.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Run the Controls Setup Wizard
Open Options > Controls and start the Controls Setup Wizard. It walks you through choosing a control scheme for each vehicle type and difficulty. Players on the official forum point out that choosing the Simulator option in the wizard gives you a full default setup you can then customise.
You can also save and load control presets, so make a backup once you’re happy.
Best control mode for aircraft on controller
| Control mode | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Simplified controls | Arcade and Realistic, new players | An “instructor” helps stop stalls and spins while you point the plane |
| Realistic controls | Realistic players who want more freedom | Direct control with some assistance |
| Full real controls | Simulator | No assistance; needs careful tuning or a flight stick |
For most controller players, Simplified controls in Arcade and Realistic is the easiest way to aim accurately.
Settings to change for planes
- Deadzone: set a small deadzone (around 5–10%) so stick drift doesn’t move the plane.
- Sensitivity / multiplier: lower it slightly for smoother aiming; raise it if turning feels sluggish.
- Non-linearity: increase it a little so small stick movements give fine control, while full deflection still turns hard.
- Throttle on triggers: many players put throttle up/down on the triggers and fire on the bumpers, or the reverse — pick what’s comfortable.
- Bind zoom to an easy button for long-range shots.
Best setup for tanks
Tanks feel natural on a gamepad:
- Left stick: drive
- Right stick: aim turret/camera
- Right trigger: fire main gun; left trigger: zoom/sniper view
- Bumpers or face buttons: switch ammo, fire machine gun, smoke, repair
Useful extras:
- Bind binoculars, rangefinder and mark target — they’re often unbound by default. See how to use binoculars in War Thunder.
- Increase aim sensitivity in sniper mode a little less than in third person for precise shots.
Helicopters and ships
- Helicopters: use the simplified/instructor mode at first; precise hovering on a controller is difficult in full control.
- Ships: controller works well — set rudder on the left stick, turret aim on the right, and bind damage control actions (fire, repair, flooding) to easy buttons.
Mouse, keyboard and flight sticks on console
Many players use a mouse and keyboard on console for aircraft, because mouse aim makes dogfighting much easier. Flight sticks and HOTAS setups are also popular for Simulator battles. Check the current device support for your console in the game’s controls menu.
Other quality-of-life settings
- HUD: keep the crosshair and lead indicator visible in Arcade.
- Vibration: turn it off if it throws off your aim.
- DualSense (PS5): adaptive triggers and haptics can add feel, but some players disable them for precision.
- Crossplay: if you want to avoid PC mouse-and-keyboard players, check your console’s crossplay settings — Xbox controls this in its privacy settings.
FAQ
Is War Thunder good on controller?
Yes, especially for tanks and ships. Planes are playable on controller with Simplified controls and some tuning.
What’s the best aircraft control mode for controller?
Simplified controls for Arcade and Realistic; Full real controls only if you play Simulator.
Why is my aim drifting?
Increase the stick deadzone slightly in the controls settings.
More War Thunder help: play with friends and crossplay and arcade vs realistic vs simulator.
Hi, I’m Emam Hasan — an English teacher and the founder of Anirban Lexicon Center in Mirpur, Dhaka. I run Takedownloads to share honest game guides, tips and app reviews that help players choose well and play better. Alongside teaching, I work in digital marketing and SEO, and I enjoy turning complex topics into simple, helpful lessons anyone can follow.
