Best Total Conversion Mods For HOI4

Hearts of Iron 4 by Paradox Interactive is a great base for its large modding community. While the game itself is a solid World War II simulation, many players find the most exciting experiences come from total conversion mods. These mods completely overhaul the game, changing the historical setting into entirely new and unique worlds.

From dieselpunk dystopias to worlds overrun by My Little Pony fans, and even alternate histories where World War I never truly ended, the mods for Hearts of Iron IV prove that the game’s possibilities are limited only by the imagination of its most creative players.

Kaiserreich: Legacy Of The Weltkrieg

The Central Powers Triumphant

Mod Author(s): The Kaiserdevs, et al.
Mod Link

Kaiserreich is a truly unique experience, especially for fans of alternate history. It began as a mod long before the game *Hearts of Iron IV* existed and offers a fascinating ‘what if?’ scenario: What if the Central Powers had won World War I in 1919? This single change dramatically reshapes the 20th century, creating a complex world filled with new countries, political ideas, and leaders all struggling for power, with another major war looming. Players can take control of nations like a socialist Britain, a powerful Germany, a weakened United States, or many smaller countries, each with its own unique goals and storyline.

What really sets Kaiserreich apart is its compelling story. Every decision, from who leads the military to what happens to overthrown rulers, has meaningful effects. You can easily lose hundreds of hours discovering all the different ways the game can unfold, and just when you think you’ve seen everything, something completely new happens!

The New Order: Last Days Of Europe

A Cold War Dystopia

Mod Author(s): The New Order Developers, et al.
Mod Link

Calling all *Wolfenstein* enthusiasts! *The New Order* mod reimagines the 1960s with a Nazi Germany that controls Eurasia but is starting to crumble, creating a dark and twisted alternate Cold War, much like in *Hearts of Iron IV*. It’s known for having a massive amount of content – fans actually love how extensive it is! Every major country gets tons of unique options, events, and gameplay features.

TNO truly shines with its immersive and story-focused gameplay. It takes you from the collapse of Germany to the chaotic power struggles within Russia, offering a dark and challenging experience. While it’s best suited for players already familiar with strategy games, those who enjoy a rich narrative alongside their gameplay will find The New Order exceptionally rewarding.

Millennium Dawn

Dealing With Contemporary Political Challenges

Mod Author(s): Millennium Dawn Mod, et al.
Mod Link

While many *Hearts of Iron IV* mods focus on historical scenarios, Millennium Dawn brings the gameplay into the 21st century. Players can lead any nation and deal with modern challenges like terrorism, economic crises, and the complexities of democratic change. This mod puts a strong emphasis on political strategy – managing international organizations is just as crucial as military combat. It also features a completely updated technology tree with modern weapons and tactics, and a more detailed economic system that requires careful management at both a large and small scale.

Millennium Dawn isn’t afraid to tackle current issues. While some parts can be a bit slow and detail-oriented, its attempt to update and improve upon the systems in *Hearts of Iron IV* makes it a really impressive and worthwhile experience for anyone interested in seeing what the game engine is capable of.

Old World Blues

Fallout Meets Grand Strategy

Mod Author(s): President Tandi, tran, HappyNTH, Zusk
Mod Link

Imagine a complete overhaul of the game, transforming it into the broken, radioactive world of post-apocalyptic America as seen in *Fallout*. It sounds amazing, doesn’t it? This mod completely changes the core gameplay of the original, replacing factories and production with the struggle to find resources, deal with warring tribes, and uncover the shady dealings of Vault-Tec. Each faction – from the New California Republic and Caesar’s Legion to Mr. House – feels unique and well-developed. Inspired by *Fallout’s* Old World Blues, the mod captures the game’s distinctive style and humor, while also adding new features: you’ll need to carefully manage your population, conserve limited supplies, and utilize pre-war technology to succeed.

The game’s progression trees are delightfully unusual, and its events are both funny and rewarding. It feels like a genuinely new take on the grand strategy genre, offering a uniquely refreshing experience.

Cold War Iron Curtain: A World Divided

Post-WW2 Tension

Mod Author(s): swf541, et al.
Mod Link

Cold War Iron Curtain is the ultimate way to experience the intense geopolitical struggles of the post-World War II era. This mod accurately recreates the period from 1949 to 1984, including the dangers of nuclear weapons, secret operations, and conflicts fought through other countries. It’s a detailed political simulation where you’ll have to manage your nation’s stability while constantly facing the threat of global nuclear war.

Iron Curtain differs from the standard Hearts of Iron IV experience by emphasizing diplomacy and strategic long-term planning over direct combat. It features a new technology tree that includes advancements like jet aircraft and space exploration, along with alternate historical scenarios. While the writing isn’t overly dramatic, the mod’s dedication to historical accuracy makes it highly recommended for those interested in history.

Equestria At War

Ponies At War

Mod Author(s): Equestria At War Team, MrScroup
Mod Link

You might be surprised, but this mod, created by fans of *My Little Pony* (known as bronies), is remarkably well-made and one of the most detailed total conversions available for *Hearts of Iron IV*. Called *Equestria at War*, it transforms the game’s world into a large-scale conflict featuring magical kingdoms, rebellious creatures, and armies of the undead. It may sound silly, but the mod’s writing and custom artwork are better than many more traditionally-themed mods.

One moment players are expanding their territory with crystal ponies, and the next they’re dealing with a rebellion in Griffonia. The mod is simple to pick up, but surprisingly complex, featuring many different playable groups and hidden surprises. It’s gained a dedicated following, and even those who were initially unsure have to admit it’s well-made.

The Great War

Mud & Blood

Mod Author(s): Wolferos
Mod Link

Often, less is more, and the Great War mod perfectly captures that idea. It immerses players in the harsh reality of World War I trenches, with realistic challenges like mud, constant losses, and a feeling that progress is slow and costly. The game’s technology tree also accurately reflects the slow, grinding nature of warfare in the early 1900s.

There’s a unique appeal to commanding large-scale offensives like the Brusilov Offensive or witnessing the brutal stalemate of the Western Front in World War I. The game excels for players who prefer a slower, more realistic experience of warfare, focusing on the drawn-out struggle and heavy losses that characterized the conflict, rather than quick, decisive victories.

The Lord Of The Rings

One Does Not Simply Walk Into Mordor…

Mod Author(s): Helliaca, blastradius14, TheOneAndOnly, alcmaria
Mod Link

No one, not even the dark lord Sauron, could have imagined that the engine behind the strategy game *Hearts of Iron IV* would find such a perfect fit in Middle-earth. The *Lord of the Rings* mod plunges players into Tolkien’s world at the start of the War of the Ring, where Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, and Men all fight for control. Fans of Tolkien will appreciate how closely the game’s strategic options follow the original stories, and that the units stay true to the source material without being overly powerful.

The Lord of the Rings features magic, but it’s carefully controlled – it’s never too abundant and often comes with significant costs. Beyond the battles, the story shines with its political maneuvering. Forming alliances with Rohan or cleverly defeating Saruman feels just as important as defeating the forces of Mordor.

Red Flood

Fun & Absurdity Await

Mod Author(s): Red Flood Mod Team, et al.
Mod Link

Red Flood takes place in an alternate history where the Russian Revolution led to Alexander Kolchak taking power, World War I ended without a clear winner, and Europe is falling apart politically. The world is deliberately strange – every nation is led by eccentric or radical figures, and the story feels like a wild, dreamlike experience. What makes Red Flood unique is its embrace of the bizarre, featuring unusual ideologies, personality-driven cults, and unpredictable plots.

Red Flood offers some truly unique gameplay options, with possibilities ranging from restoring the Holy Roman Empire to starting a space program in the Balkans. While it won’t appeal to all players, it’s a refreshing and creative alternative for those looking for something different from typical strategy games.

End Of A New Beginning

For Those Who Can’t Get Enough Victoria 3

Mod Author(s): Team EoaNB, et al.
Mod Link

End of a New Beginning explores the period between 1857 and 1949, a time of major social change and industrial growth. The mod features completely reworked systems for managing economies, politics, and society. Players lead countries as they modernize, facing challenges like social unrest and the impact of new technologies. With new trade, diplomacy, and population systems, each game offers a complex and challenging experience.

The game’s story is well-written and historically grounded, focusing on thoughtful choices rather than over-the-top drama. While still being developed, it’s already quite impressive.

2025-09-27 08:44