Hearts of Iron IV Starting Scenarios

Before every Hearts of Iron campaign, even before choosing a country, users will be confronted with their first impactful decision: when to begin the game. Two options are available—January 1, 1936, or August 14, 1939—but the differences extend beyond the dates alone.

Gathering Storm – January 1st, 1936

In-Game Description: Dark Times are coming. In Europe, Hitler has consolidated his power and his attention is now increasingly drawn beyond Germany’s borders. Mussolini’s Italy continues to embark on daring military adventures, while the Empire of Japan stands poised to attack China in Asia. Almost twenty years have passed since the end of the Great War, and the world has yet again been doused in gasoline. A single spark may be all it takes.

The most common starting scenario for Hearts of Iron is Gathering Storm. Starting a campaign here allows you to pick every aspect of your nation’s economy, government, research, and military as you ramp up for war. It’s basically the way to play as Paradox intended.

With the exception of certain countries, such as Italy, there won’t be much fighting at the beginning of this scenario, as you start with a mostly fresh state. If you want to design your own divisions, this scenario is especially recommended, as militaries are much smaller at this start date and easier to modify.

Besides that, the world map itself is, of course, as it was in 1936 instead of 1939, which significantly affects which countries are available to play.

Blitzkrieg – August 14th, 1939

In-Game Description: In the last few years the world has seen some new wars break out in Europe and Asia. Spain is now governed by nationalists and Japan has fought both the Soviet Union and China for territory, the latter being a more successful battle for Japan. The new non-aggression pact between the Soviet Union and Germany may be bad news for the rest of Europe.

If you are wanting a particular challenge or just want to dive right into warfare at the start of the game, the Blitzkrieg start date is for you. Your chosen country’s national focus and technology trees will already be progressed significantly, and the military will be considerably stronger compared to the 1936 start date.

Starting from this point will also severely limit alternative history possibilities, as the path to the start of World War II has already been set. For instance, Germany is only a 70-day national focus away from invading Poland with the Soviet Union. Additionally, it is not possible to play as Austria, Czechoslovakia, or Ethiopia, as they have already been annexed by this start date.

Although the starting scenarios are a bit limited compared to some other Paradox titles, it’s great that they are fully fleshed out and offer some significant gameplay differences. Have you played from the Blitzkrieg scenario, or do you stick to 1936? Let us know in the comments below!