Calling Hearts of Iron 4 a huge, complicated game might be an understatement. As of this writing, it has been receiving updates for over 8 years, including balance changes, new features, and overhauls to existing ones. Even if you are a veteran of the game, it’s easy to miss out on things that could make your gameplay easier or your country stronger.
Starting the Game
Before you even start the game, you’ll have to make a choice on which starting scenario to choose. If you want full control over the destiny of your country, go with the 1936 start date. Otherwise, if you’re eager for battle planning and all-out war, choose 1939.
Research and Focus Saving
Although it might feel inefficient to let a single day pass without progressing a technology or a national focus, it can actually be beneficial at times. You can bank progress toward one of these without immediately choosing, allowing for greater flexibility in stacking research bonuses or timing the completion of national focuses. You can save up to 10 days to apply toward your next national focus or 30 days to apply toward technology research.
Supply, Supply, and More Supply
If there is one thing you should focus on before a war, it is the amount of supply available. Do you have enough trains, trucks, and convoys for a prolonged conflict? Is your infrastructure strong enough, from the center of your country to the front lines? Are your supply hubs a high enough level to efficiently distribute everything? A low level of supply will impact every part of your military, hurting your divisions’ organization levels, preventing you from performing air missions, and keeping your navy in port. Even if you have the absolute best divisions in the game, you’ll struggle if they are not well supplied.
Turns out there’s not a ton of supply in the Sahara in 1936
To stay well-supplied, consider the materials and equipment you’re using when designing divisions, planes, or ships. If you rely heavily on imports for something, avoid using it in large quantities. Similarly, how much fuel can you reasonably expect to have during wartime? You need to take that into account when building your military. Grounded planes and docked ships won’t help you in battle.
Fighting Strong Navies
Unless you’re starting as Italy, the UK, or Japan, odds are you’ll have a weak navy when you begin a campaign. To make matters worse, realistically catching up to those powerhouses would require focusing primarily on building up a navy, neglecting your army and air force, which ultimately leaves you in a weaker position. Fortunately, there’s a simple workaround to battling strong navies without having one of your own. By focusing production on a strong air force that naturally complements your army, you can secure the skies and use naval bombers to cripple opposing navies. For most players, controlling the seas from the sky is the most effective approach.
Hopefully, these tips will help you secure victory in your next Hearts of Iron campaign. Have any tips of your own for other players? Leave them in the comments below!
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Lucky Boop
Strategy game enthusiast, especially Paradox titles and the Civilization series. Whenever he's not writing he spends his time watching sports, enjoying coffee, or studying history.
