Hearts of Iron 4 is a complex strategy game where you learn best by playing, though it often presents challenges. Each game feels like a historical exploration, usually ending with a few significant errors. It can be difficult for new players to even fully understand the options available for a single country.
Luckily, some countries are easier to start playing in than others. These places let new players practice and improve without being quickly defeated by the German army.
If you’re new to the game, we recommend starting with the 1936 scenario and turning Historical AI Focus on. This will make the game’s artificial intelligence behave more consistently and provide a smoother learning experience.
Italy
Ambitious Yet Forgiving
| Capital | Roma |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Fascist |
| Faction | None |
Italy often has big plans but struggles to follow through, making it a perfect starting point for new players. Unlike Germany, mistakes in Italy don’t immediately lead to disaster – a few unsuccessful attacks won’t end the game. The Mediterranean setting is quite forgiving, and Italy’s navy is actually one of its strengths.
The Focus Tree is easier to learn than those of some other countries, and Italy’s early war against Ethiopia serves as a gentle introduction to managing armies and supplies. New players can practice land and air combat while building a small empire, with plenty of room to learn from mistakes. Plus, once you get the hang of things, defeating the British Empire in North Africa is incredibly rewarding!
German Reich
Europe’s Most Deadly Threat
| Capital | Berlin |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Fascist |
| Faction | Axis |
Playing as Germany might seem daunting for new players, but it’s actually a very strong starting nation. Germany has a powerful military and a strong economy ready for war, giving players a significant advantage from the beginning. It’s also a great way to learn about international relations, as Germany’s actions quickly impact the rest of the world.
The game truly shines when you get to use quick, encircling attacks – the famous ‘blitzkrieg’ strategy that history buffs know was so effective in World War II. After the *Gotterdammerung* event, the game’s national focus tree guides you through these tactics, both simple and complex, and Germany’s large goals offer many ways to win. The main risk is getting too confident – but honestly, that fits the historical context of Germany at the time perfectly.
United States
A Safe Environment
| Capital | Washington |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Democratic |
| Faction | None |
The United States has a unique advantage in this game, acting like a protected testing ground. With oceans on both sides and a strong navy, it’s shielded from early conflict. This gives new players valuable time to learn the ropes – building up their economy, researching technologies, and designing military units – without the immediate threat of invasion. Once the US is well-prepared, players can then strategically decide where to get involved in global conflicts.
The United States is a great choice for new players because its massive economy means you’ll rarely run out of essential resources, even when building a huge navy. If you want to learn the game without constant danger, America is the ideal nation to start with.
Sweden
Plenty Of Resource Advantages
| Capital | Stockholm |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Democratic |
| Faction | None |
Sweden is often seen as the Scandinavia equivalent of Switzerland – a neutral country that doesn’t always get much attention. However, unlike Switzerland, Sweden has abundant natural resources. This neutrality means you won’t be an immediate target in the game, and Sweden’s strong industries and plentiful steel allow it to be a surprisingly powerful nation. While its national focus tree isn’t as extensive as those of the major powers, it offers a lot of options – you can stay neutral, side with the Allies, or try to unite all of Scandinavia.
Sweden is a classic example of a country that sells weapons, making it a good choice for players who want to learn the game’s economic and diplomatic features without immediately facing intense conflict or the risk of being conquered. Even if you *do* choose to fight, Sweden’s landscape is easy to defend, giving you a realistic chance of resisting invasions.
Dominion Of Canada
The Gentle Way To Start A Game
| Capital | Ottawa |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Democratic |
| Faction | Allies |
Compared to the United States, Canada offers a more relaxed strategic position. Because it’s part of the British Commonwealth, Canada can join World War II without fearing an immediate attack – there’s no rush to invade cities like Montreal in 1939! While Canada’s military begins modestly, its large size and growing industries allow for steady development and experimentation. Crucially, Canada provides a good starting point for learning about sending troops on overseas missions.
Players can help Britain manage its empire by learning to support allies and plan attacks. Canada is a great starting point to learn land, sea, and air combat basics before moving on to play as a more challenging nation.
Brazil
Good Regional Opportunities
| Capital | Rio de Janeiro |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Democratic |
| Faction | None |
Brazil is a powerful country in South America with a lot of potential, particularly in the *Trial of Allegiance* expansion. It’s a great starting point for new players wanting to build an empire because it’s relatively safe – it doesn’t have any strong neighboring enemies and offers opportunities to expand across the continent. While you begin with a small army, Brazil’s large size and abundant resources let you explore industry and research without being overwhelmed. The country’s focus tree is easy to follow and includes interesting historical events, even letting you send troops to Europe to fight alongside the Allies.
Okay, so when I’m learning the ropes in this game, I usually mess around with those early bandit problems – it’s a good way to figure out how to deal with things falling apart internally. Then, when I’m ready to really shake things up, playing as Brazil is awesome. You can jump into either side of the war – help the Allies or the Axis – without immediately causing a total disaster. It’s a nice, relaxed way to change the whole game board without worrying about getting yelled at by Britain or Germany right away.
Mexico
A Low-Pressure Starting Position
| Capital | Mexico City |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Non-Aligned |
| Faction | None |
Mexico is a great country to start with in this game, offering plenty of chances for success right in the Western Hemisphere and with the added security of being near the USA. While it begins as a moderately powerful nation, Mexico has a flexible national focus tree that lets you take your country in many different directions. It’s a good choice for new players because you can practice things like staging coups and negotiating deals without facing huge risks. Plus, starting with a smaller army and economy helps you learn how to manage your resources effectively.
After Mexico achieves stability (usually through its national bank development), it can either form an alliance with a major world power or pursue control of the region by revenging its defeat against the United States through a specific path of development. And there’s a unique satisfaction in conquering the Panama Canal with an army you’ve built from the ground up.
Argentina
A Great Place To Start In South America
| Capital | Buenos Aires |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Non-Aligned |
| Faction | None |
Argentina is in a key location for understanding South American politics. Its size and geography make it relatively easy to defend, and it has enough industry to allow for innovation. The country’s detailed development options in the game offer many paths, including becoming the dominant power in South America through the ‘Dominate the South’ strategy.
The initial conflicts with Chile and Paraguay serve as gentle introductions to the game’s mechanics. The gradual escalation to a wider war allows players to learn research and production without feeling rushed. Argentina is a relatively easy country to start with; even if you’re defeated, you have opportunities to rebuild and try again. It’s an excellent place for new players to practice their strategy and become skilled commanders.
Portugal
No One Will See Them Coming…
| Capital | Lisbon |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Non-Aligned |
| Faction | None |
Portugal is a bit of a long shot, often overlooked due to its aging empire and limited population. But its small size actually makes it easier to govern, and its location provides quick access to both Europe and Africa. In the game, you’ll learn how to manage colonies and build strong alliances while playing as Portugal.
The navy is a solid foundation for learning all types of naval combat. It’s great for beginners to practice taking advantage of opportunities, and shows that you don’t need a huge fleet to be a powerful force.
Bulgaria
A Regional Power With Teeth
| Capital | Sofia |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Non-Aligned |
| Faction | None |
Bulgaria feels overlooked as a nation, given its position between larger countries and its history of political instability. In the game, playing as Bulgaria is a challenging start. The country’s strategic options are diverse, allowing you to align with the Axis powers, change sides during a war, or try to benefit from both sides of a conflict.
New players will enjoy learning how to make the most of limited forces and using the environment to their advantage. Every choice matters, and winning feels truly rewarding. Bulgaria is a great starting country because it lets you experience challenging strategy without getting overwhelmed by complex management.
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2025-09-29 06:38