To keep matches fair, World of Tanks tries to match you with players in similar battle tiers. The spread is never more than two tiers above or below your current battle tier. However, there are certain tanks that get “preferential matchmaking.” This means that the spread is narrower—in some cases, limited to battles within the same tier.
So, which tanks gets preferential matchmaking? Well, there are quite a few! In this guide, we’ll cover all the tanks that get preferential matchmaking and the specific spreads for each tank.
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The standard matchmaking spread
Below is the default matchmaking spread that applies to regular tanks (i.e., those that don’t get preferential matchmaking). As mentioned above, the spread is never more than two tiers above your tank’s tier, but there’s always the possibility of being matched into a game with a battle tier that’s higher than you’re comfortable with.
Before we continue, you need to know what Battle Tier spread is. Battle Tier spread is the range of battle tiers that a tank can match into. For example, the following table shows that Tier IV Light Tanks can join matches with a Battle Tier from 4 to 6. Tier IV Heavy Tanks, however, can only enter matches with a Battle Tier from 4 to 5.
| Tank Tier | Tank Class | Battle Tier Spread |
|---|---|---|
| I (1) | Light Tanks | 1–2 |
| I (1) | Medium Tanks | 1–2 |
| II (2) | Light Tanks | 2–3 |
| II (2) | Medium Tanks | 2–3 |
| II (2) | Heavy Tanks | 2–3 |
| II (2) | Tank Destroyers | 2–3 |
| II (2) | Self-propelled Guns | 2–3 |
| III (3) | Light Tanks | 3–4 |
| III (3) | Medium Tanks | 3–4 |
| III (3) | Heavy Tanks | 3–4 |
| III (3) | Tank Destroyers | 3–4 |
| III (3) | Self-propelled Guns | 3–4 |
| IV (4) | Light Tanks | 4–6 |
| IV (4) | Medium Tanks | 4–6 |
| IV (4) | Heavy Tanks | 4–5 |
| IV (4) | Tank Destroyers | 4–6 |
| IV (4) | Self-propelled Guns | 4–6 |
| V (5) | Light Tanks | 5–7 |
| V (5) | Medium Tanks | 5–7 |
| V (5) | Heavy Tanks | 5–7 |
| V (5) | Tank Destroyers | 5–7 |
| V (5) | Self-propelled Guns | 5–7 |
| VI (6) | Light Tanks | 6–8 |
| VI (6) | Medium Tanks | 6–8 |
| VI (6) | Heavy Tanks | 6–8 |
| VI (6) | Tank Destroyers | 6–8 |
| VI (6) | Self-propelled Guns | 6–8 |
| VII (7) | Light Tanks | 7–9 |
| VII (7) | Medium Tanks | 7–9 |
| VII (7) | Heavy Tanks | 7–9 |
| VII (7) | Tank Destroyers | 7–9 |
| VII (7) | Self-propelled Guns | 7–9 |
| VIII (8) | Light Tanks | 8–10 |
| VIII (8) | Medium Tanks | 8–10 |
| VIII (8) | Heavy Tanks | 8–10 |
| VIII (8) | Tank Destroyers | 8–10 |
| VIII (8) | Self-propelled Guns | 8–10 |
| IX (9) | Light Tanks | 9–10 |
| IX (9) | Medium Tanks | 9–10 |
| IX (9) | Heavy Tanks | 9–10 |
| IX (9) | Tank Destroyers | 9–10 |
| IX (9) | Self-propelled Guns | 9–10 |
| X (10) | Light Tanks | 10 |
| X (10) | Medium Tanks | 10 |
| X (10) | Heavy Tanks | 10 |
| X (10) | Tank Destroyers | 10 |
| X (10) | Self-propelled Guns | 10 |
Tanks that get preferential matchmaking
To keep players grinding for free tanks, the first premium vehicles in World of Tanks were intentionally worse than ones that could be obtained for free. So why buy premium tanks at all? Well, Wargaming made them better for grinding credits and crew levels by giving them preferential matchmaking.
Tanks with preferential matchmaking enjoy a much narrower battle tier spread. They will only be put into matches up to one tier above their Tank Tier. In some cases, the spread is limited to the same tier as the tank.
Below is the list of all tanks that get preferential matchmaking in World of Tanks. We’ve also included their individual matchmaking spreads to help you if you decide to buy one.
| Tank Tier | Nation | Tank Model | Battle Tier Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| II (2) | Germany | Pz. Kpfw. I | 2 |
| II (2) | UK | Light Mk. VIC | 2 |
| II (2) | USA | T2 Light Tank | 2–4 |
| II (2) | USA | T7 Combat Car | 2 |
| III (3) | Germany | Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. J | 3–4 |
| III (3) | Japan | Type 98 Ke-Ni | 3–4 |
| III (3) | USSR | BT-SV | 3–4 |
| III (3) | USSR | LTP | 3–4 |
| III (3) | USSR | M3 Light | 3–4 |
| III (3) | USSR | SU-76I | 3–4 |
| III (3) | USSR | T-127 | 3–4 |
| IV (4) | France | AMX 40 | 4–6 |
| IV (4) | Germany | Pz. Kpfw.B2 740(f) | 4–5 |
| IV (4) | Japan | Type 5 Ke-Ho | 4–6 |
| IV (4) | UK | Covenanter | 4–6 |
| IV (4) | UK | Valentine | 4–6 |
| IV (4) | USSR | A-20 | 3–4 |
| IV (4) | USSR | A-32 | 4–6 |
| IV (4) | USSR | T-80 | 4–6 |
| IV (4) | USSR | Valentine II | 4–6 |
| V (5) | Germany | Pz.Kpfw. IV Hydro. | 5–6 |
| V (5) | Germany | StuG IV | 4–6 |
| V (5) | UK | Crusader | 4–7 |
| V (5) | UK | Excelsior | 4–6 |
| V (5) | UK | Matilda Black Prince | 4–6 |
| V (5) | USA | M4A2E4 Sherman | 4–6 |
| V (5) | USA | T14 | 4–6 |
| V (5) | USSR | Churchill III | 4–6 |
| V (5) | USSR | KV-220 | 4–6 |
| V (5) | USSR | Matilda IV | 4–6 |
| V (5) | USSR | SU-85I | 4–6 |
| VI (6) | Germany | Pz.Kpfw. V/IV | 6–7 |
| VI (6) | Germany | Pz.Kpfw. V/IV Alpha | 6–7 |
| VI (6) | UK | TOG II* | 6–7 |
| VII (7) | Germany | E25 | 7–8 |
| VII (7) | Germany | Panther/M10 | 7–8 |
| VII (7) | UK | AT-15A | 7–8 |
| VII (7) | USA | T23E3 | 7–8 |
| VII (7) | USSR | T-44-122 | 7–8 |
| VII (7) | USSR | T-44-85 | 7–8 |
| VIII (8) | China | 112 | 8–9 |
| VIII (8) | China | Alpine Tiger | 8–9 |
| VIII (8) | China | T-34-G | 8–9 |
| VIII (8) | China | Type 59 | 8–9 |
| VIII (8) | China | Type 59 G | 8–9 |
| VIII (8) | China | WZ-111 | 8–9 |
| VIII (8) | France | FCM 50 t | 8–9 |
| VIII (8) | Germany | 8,8 cm Pak 43 Jagdtiger | 8–9 |
| VIII (8) | USA | M6A2E1 | 8–9 |
| VIII (8) | USA | T26E4 Super Pershing | 8–9 |
| VIII (8) | USSR | IS-6 | 8–9 |
| VIII (8) | USSR | IS-6 B | 8–9 |
| VIII (8) | USSR | KV-5 | 8–9 |
Special cases
Preferential matchmaking is thrown out the window when you’re in a platoon. Usually, a Tier VIII tank with preferential matchmaking can’t enter a Battle Tier 10 match, but if your platoon mate uses a regular tier 8 tank, the standard matchmaking rules take priority.
Preferential matchmaking won’t impact the WoT experience for most gamers. All it does is give slight priority to some players when queueing into certain Battle Tiers. Those who enjoy eking out every drop of efficiency from their online battles will enjoy the slightly fairer battlefield conditions that preferential matchmaking offers.
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What is preferential matchmaking in World of Tanks?
Preferential matchmaking in World of Tanks is a type of matchmaking that allows certain tanks to be matched with tanks from the same tier or lower, rather than being matched with tanks from higher tiers. This can result in more balanced and fair matches for players.
Which tanks have preferential matchmaking in World of Tanks?
See the latest list of tanks that have preferential matchmaking in World of Tanks.
How does preferential matchmaking affect gameplay in World of Tanks?
Preferential matchmaking in World of Tanks can have a significant impact on gameplay, as it allows players to be matched with tanks from the same tier or lower, rather than being matched with tanks from higher tiers. This can result in more balanced and fair matches, as well as increased chances for players to win battles.
Can preferential matchmaking be changed in World of Tanks?
Only the developers can change preferential matchmaking in World of Tanks.
Are there any disadvantages to preferential matchmaking in World of Tanks?
The disadvantages of preferential matchmaking in World of Tanks can include reduced experience and credit earnings, as well as decreased opportunities to play against higher-tier tanks. Players may also find that they are less challenged in battles, as they are not matched with tanks from higher tiers.
Is preferential matchmaking available for all players in World of Tanks?
Preferential matchmaking only applies to certain tanks in World of Tanks. All players have the opportunity to obtain these tanks, though they may require spending real money and/or extreme grinding.