[EN] Official FAQ

Have a question? Look here first!

1. Important

link to this section

Press Ctrl+F to find something you need faster, also see Guide Index on the right side.

What are the main differences with the original standalone version?

Pretty much none aside from some smaller additional features provided by Steam. The servers are the same, so you can play with your non-Steam friends as long as their accounts are on the same server(game region, realm).

Can I use my Wargaming.net account?

Unfortunately, not. World of Warships wasn’t initially designed as a cross-platform project. That means that if you've played the game already you would want to keep using the original client. If you log in using Steam, you automatically create a new game account, which binds to your Steam account.

All updates to the game installed using Steam client will also be downloaded and installed through Steam updater. Same is true for the original client: you can not update a Game Center or launcher installation through Steam and vice versa.

2. For New Players

link to this section

Which version to choose if i've never played before?

It's better and easier to start with Steam version. Easier to switch regions and try your ping on each one. You get additional rewards for completing account registration (see below) without having to search for invite-code.
But if you have World of Tanks account, maybe with a lot of premium time(premium time works for both games) and frequently play it — better start through native WG launcher, since you already have it installed.

How to choose game region?

There are several things you should consider:

1. The distance to the server: the more it is — the worse ping you'll get. Though the game is not very ping-dependent so if you can get stable <=150 ms ping — it should be comfortable enough. With good Internet Provider it might be possible even if you're on another side of the Earth.
   
2. Which region most of your WoWs-playing friends use, since the account progress is tied to a single region. Ask them what server are they using and for their referral reward link as well: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1512241387
   
3. The language barrier: while you can change in-game interface and voiceover language some in-game services
   
   • Clans
     
   • Arsenal
     
   • Inventory
     
   • In-game premium shop
   might not support it in the given region, in that case they'll be displayed in a default language:
   
   • English for Asia, EU and NA
     
   • Russian for CIS
   Also you might not be able to communicate well with players in that region:
   
   • Asia server: some know English, but most only know their native Asian language and their messages might be displayed as rectangles ▯▯▯▯▯
     
   • EU: most know English, others only their native European language.
     
   • CIS: barely anyone knows English, most can only handle Russian
     
   • NA: most know English, aside from some players from South America.
   So if you want to find a clan in your language — it's better to choose the region which has significant population of speakers of that language.
   
4. Timezone: would be hard to find players online if there's night in their timezone.
   
5. With all other factors equal you might want to got for more populated server, average online players in decreasing order: EU > CIS > NA > Asia.

How to change game language?

• Text language for the game is changed through Steam interface — in Properties of the game in Steam Library, see here:
  
  • Right-click the game in your Steam library and choose Properties.
    
  • Go to the Language tab
    
  • Select the language you wish to use from the drop-down menu
    
  • Click OK
• Voiceover language is changed inside the game in Audio settings.

Will I be able to choose a different alias from the one I already have on Steam?

Yes, you'll be able to choose a new nickname upon initial login or use your current one if it complies with our naming policy and isn't already taken.

Why are there bots in random battles?

There are 2 matchmakers for Random Battles (PvP): one regular and another one is for new players only. You play in the new players matchmaker while you play tier IV ship and below AND you have account level 11 and below. In this match maker, teams may be supplemented by AI ships (with nicknames in the following format :Halsey:) for better queue time, but each team would have the same amount of player ships. Please mind if you by any chance will be the only player in the queue for more than 1 minute, you will be also put in regular matchmaker queue. There are no AI ships in regular PvP matchmaker.

It's made this way because new players don't have some features unlocked from the start which can provide an edge in battle — see below.

Mind that you get rewarded as if those are player ships, so it's a perfect time to practice and accumulate extra credits, XP and signal flags for achievements. Maybe you'll even miss those bots later :)

You can see how many players are online on the server by pressing Esc in the Port.

Why I can't access Containers, Commanders, Signals, Camouflages which i bought or obtained?

Some features are unlocked at specific Service Record level to not overwhelm new players with all the various buttons and choices:

• Level 4 — Containers
  
• Level 7 — Commanders
  
• Level 10 — Signal flags
  
• Level 11 — Camouflages
  
• Level 12 — Combat Missions
  
• Level 14 — decorative flags

For more info see here[wiki.wargaming.net].
Currently Service Record level 15 is the maximum. More levels might be added in the future if required.

Should I play Random Battles or Co-op?

As described above while you're still considered a new player — it's best to play Random battles. After that decide for yourself what you like more. Random battles are harder and more unpredictable but also net better rewards, while Co-op battles are easy and faster. Co-op battles are good when you want to get a hang on a new ship or when you want to research ship modules before going to PvP, also they're sometimes good for doing some combat missions(when mission conditions allow): like secondary hits, citadel hits, shot down planes, etc.

Freebies for new players?

Sure, see:

• https://steamcommunity.com/games/552990/announcements/detail/1691554794562560168
  
• https://steamcommunity.com/games/552990/announcements/detail/1728722248134189021
  
• https://steamcommunity.com/games/552990/announcements/detail/1692687668291383220

3. Steam features

☛ Steam Achievements?

Yes, they are implemented.

Mind that

• Seasonal and temporary achievements are not included. That means there are no unobtainable achievements, we want every new player to be able reach 100% achievements if they strive for it.
  
• Repeatable achievements are not included because there's no such thing on Steam, they can either be obtained or not.

Steam leaderboards and stats

Currently we see no need for that since you can see full stats of players and all of their achievements on the official website, as well as being able to set your game profile as private or only seen through direct link.

Asia[worldofwarships.asia]

CIS(Ru)[worldofwarships.ru]

EU[worldofwarships.eu]

NA[worldofwarships.com]

Using Steam Wallet?

Yes, you can use Steam funds both for DLCs and in-app purchases. Mind that it only applies if your game account was created through Steam.

Steam Trading cards?

Finally here!
https://steamcommunity.com/games/552990/announcements/detail/1763630777322140236
Due to The Steam Winter Sale 2018 (Cozy Cottage) we also have:

• 2 emoticons
  
  • ːcozywowsshipː
    
  • ːcozywowscapː
• 3 backgrounds
  
  • Cozy Cottage - World of Warships
    
  • Cozy Cottage - World of Warships - Battle
    
  • Cozy Cottage - World of Warships - Battle 2

Steam Cloud

Since accounts are stored on the server there's no real need for that, in the very worst case you'd just lose your user settings. But it can be considered for the future if there's demand.

Steam Workshop?

Possible sometime in the future, though there's no real need — user mods can be used for Steam version as well, it's just a bit more tricky in case of non-Steam-aware installers.

Steam Inventory?

Maybe someday, but the items likely would have to be non-tradeable and non-marketable anyway, so what's the point?

4. Technical issues

link to this section

How to reach Player Support?

A: Follow [url=http://steamcommunity.com/app/552990/discussions/0/1486613649680813328/
]this instruction[/url].

I have bought DLC but it didn't appear on my Wargaming account?

Sorry, all Steam DLC are not compatible with accounts created outside of Steam.

4-1. Technical issues: switching game region

☛ I have chosen the wrong server, how to change the selection?

Mind that doing that actually switches/creates a new account in that region! Purchases and progress can't be transferred. So choose carefully.

Open and edit \World of Warships\preferences.xml file, to find it:

• Right-click the game in your Steam library and choose Properties.
  
• Go to the Local Files tab
  
• Click Browse local files…

Inside find the line starting with "<currentRealm>" and change it to:

• <currentRealm>asia</currentRealm>
  
• <currentRealm>ru</currentRealm> (for CIS region)
  
• <currentRealm>eu</currentRealm>
  
• <currentRealm>na</currentRealm>

Or you simply can delete that file, if you don't mind losing your game settings, in that case on next launch you would be asked to choose game server region again.

4-2. Technical issues: accidentally unlinking account

☛ I have accidentally unlinked my account from Steam and can't login, what to do?

(it would work ONLY IF that account was created through Steam game client in the first place)

1. Install World of Tanks Blitz
   steam://install/444200
   If it's not available in your country — you may need to use VPN to download.
   
2. Launch it
   
3. Click "Connect" in the upper left corner
   
4. Click "Login using password"
   
5. Input your email and password
   
6. Click "Connect"
   
7. Play tutorial fully if you want to try this game later or get to the menu when possible and click "Skip tutorial" (that way you won't be able to get gold for finishing tutorial later)
   
8. Open menu (upper left button)
   
9. Click "Account"
   
10. Click the switch near "Steam" on the right
    
11. Now you're done, check that the link is now displayed on website[wargaming.net] for the correct account.
    
12. Now you can launch WoWs as usual(check that it's the correct region).
    
13. And you can also uninstall World of Tanks Blitz if you wish.

5. DLCs, in-app purchases, doubloons

link to this section

Are there refunds through Steam?

No. We follow the existing Wargaming.net policy concerning refunds. You can find additional details in our billing support section, for example for EU[eu.wargaming.net].

Are prices in Steam version different?

No, they will stay exactly the same for each region independent of which platform you play on.

6. How to: Change nickname

☛ How to change my in-game name?

Login here[wargaming.net]. Costs 2500 doubloons.
<EXPAND>

[mbacookie42]

So just to be clear on this. Returning players are forced to use WGC, which is a terrible launcher (I'm sorry, but it just is, nearly as bad as Betheda's was) with throttled download speeds and poor allocation for installing the game/updates (tell me I'm wrong with 1 gigabit download speeds and 3 game SSD's/NvME's) or have to start a new? I guess Jingles is right, Wargaming is just all about the money at this point otherwise this *would* have been accommodated for well before a release on another launcher. Consider this my withdrawal from the affiliate program. I want nothing to do with a company that doesn't have their shit together

[a baby]

for some reason my game is refusing to load and i cant reinstall it

[Captain Izolenta]

\World of Warships\preferences.xml autoedit by WorldOfWarships.exe And i cant change my region after migration from CIS to EU

[Soma]

allo bon avoir

[ex-Admiral]

@VZZT7
Yes: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2595867838
BUT you need to launch Steam version once after acquiring any new DLC.

[KuyaLootaveli]

Can I use my Steam Account on the Launcher?
Like, I would like to register steam version, buy DLC here because of steam wallet.
And move to play the game on the launcher with my login data i created with steam, is this possible pls?

[ex-Admiral]

@Zepuuu
https://wiki.wargaming.net/en/Ship:Base_Earnings#Potential_damage
Basically it's how well you dodge, tank, provoke and mislead the enemy :) Don't sweat too much about it, it comes naturally - for example striving to stay alive longer while not being useless for the team.
Also better use forums for such questions, we have enough of friendly experts :)

[AlexCellerate]

How exactly is potential damage working? I did 40k last match and potential damage was 700k
can you really reach this number and i have to play better ot is this utopical to get max potential damage?

[😸Neko]

No. And if really miss the games themselves — what prevents you from playing outside of Steam (or inside, adding the game to the Library as non-Steam shortcut, at least that provides overlay and basic stuff)?
If you miss Steam features instead — well, that's different, but again there's not that many of them.

[Sheed]

Has there been an update that allows linking original accounts / letting us log in to them through steam yet? I genuinely miss these games from time to time.