Gaijin has launched the Black Hussar event in War Thunder. The event features the Mackensen battlecruiser as the main reward. It runs from September 4th (11:00 GMT) to September 22nd (11:00 GMT). Players can earn mission points in Naval Battles, complete stages, and unlock rewards along the way.
Who Was August von Mackensen?
August von Mackensen joined the 2nd Prussian Life Hussar Regiment, also called the Black Hussars, at age 20. He earned honors in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71 and later became a field marshal in World War I. A German battlecruiser built during World War I was named after him. That ship is now available in War Thunder as an event vehicle.
Mackensen Battlecruiser Overview
The Mackensen is a Rank VI German battlecruiser. It was designed as an upgrade to the Derffinger class, with stronger armor and eight 350 mm guns. The ship can reach 28 knots (50 km/h) and carries five 600 mm torpedo tubes.
Its strengths are heavy firepower, good protection, and high speed. Its main weakness is the lack of automatic short-range anti-aircraft weaponry. Despite this, Mackensen is one of the fastest and most powerful battlecruisers of its era.
Event Rewards
Players can earn multiple rewards by completing stages. Key rewards include:
- Stage 2: “Coat of arms of August von Mackensen” decal
- Stage 4: “Flag of the Prussian Navy” ship flag
- Stage 6: “August von Mackensen” profile icon
- Stage 8: Non-tradable Mackensen coupon
- Stage 9: Two-tone geometric camouflage for Mackensen + four random modifications
Other rewards include trophies, Silver Lions, boosters, Premium Account time, and universal backups.
How to Earn Mission Points
Each stage requires 45,000 mission points, earned in Naval Battles at Rank III or above. Points scale depending on the ship rank and battle mode. Event vehicles from previous events can also contribute to your progress.
Stages rotate every two days starting September 6th. After completing a stage, players must claim rewards manually in the Black Hussar achievement menu.
Golden Eagle Stage Purchases
Players who can’t complete a stage in time can purchase it with Golden Eagles. Prices decrease based on your progress. For example, completing 85% of the required points halves the cost, while reaching 95% reduces it by five times.
Coupon Upgrade Option
Completing 8 stages grants a non-tradable Mackensen coupon. Players can convert it to a tradable version with the “Upgrade for coupon” item, which requires 750,000 mission points. This option is valid until September 25th (11:00 GMT).
Event Summary
The Black Hussar event is a great opportunity to add the Mackensen to your fleet. With strong firepower, speed, and historical significance, it’s one of the most desirable naval rewards in War Thunder. Completing stages not only unlocks the ship but also exclusive decals, flags, and camouflages.
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