Yes. War Thunder supports mouse-and-keyboard play, and its official FAQ recommends Mouse Aiming as the easiest way to control aircraft with a mouse. You can also use a mouse and keyboard on PlayStation and Xbox, subject to the platform and device setup.
How mouse-and-keyboard controls work
War Thunder’s Mouse Aiming mode lets you aim and steer aircraft with a mouse while a Virtual Instructor assists with flight control. The official FAQ says this enables most maneuvers in most game modes with the mouse. The game’s rookie guide also explains mouse-and-keyboard play and allows control bindings to be customized.
For a new player who wants to use a mouse and keyboard, Mouse Aiming is the natural mode to start with. You do not need a flightstick or gamepad to play in this mode.
Which control mode should you choose?
The rookie guide describes four aircraft control options. They differ in how much assistance or manual control they provide:
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| Mode | What it means for mouse-and-keyboard play |
|---|---|
| Mouse Aiming | Use the mouse to aim and control the aircraft, with Virtual Instructor assistance. |
| Simple Controls | An alternative control mode listed in the rookie guide; the cited guide does not provide a detailed comparison of its bindings. |
| Realistic Controls | An alternative control mode listed in the rookie guide; the cited guide does not provide a detailed comparison of its bindings. |
| Simulator Controls | The most manual option described by the guide, intended to be closest to real piloting. |
The modes are different ways to control aircraft, not a requirement to own different hardware. For exact bindings and the current in-game setup, check the controls menu; the guide says bindings can be assigned freely.
Can you use a mouse and keyboard on console?
Yes, official support information covers both major console families. War Thunder’s FAQ says PlayStation 4 and 5 support USB-compatible devices and that Xbox supports mouse and keyboard. Xbox’s official game listing also identifies keyboard and mouse support.
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These statements do not guarantee compatibility with every peripheral, connection method, console configuration, or cloud-gaming setup. Check the relevant platform’s current device requirements if you are using a particular setup.
Do you need a joystick or gamepad?
No. Mouse Aiming is explicitly designed for mouse control, and the rookie guide covers mouse-and-keyboard play. A joystick or gamepad is an optional alternative, not a prerequisite for playing War Thunder.
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Are mouse and keyboard better competitively?
The official sources establish that the controls are supported, but they do not provide a controlled performance comparison between mouse and keyboard, gamepad, and flightstick. So there is no sourced basis here to claim that one setup gives a measured competitive advantage.
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