Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Countries For Beginners

Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Countries For Beginners

As someone who’s spent countless hours immersed in the strategic world of Hearts of Iron IV, I can confidently say that for beginners looking to take their gaming skills to new heights, the Dominion of Canada and the United States are undeniably the best choices.


Since its debut in 2016, Hearts of Iron 4 has evolved into a game with significantly increased complexity. Players now possess unprecedented control over their nations as they navigate the tumultuous events leading to the 20th century’s most devastating conflict, World War II. The gaming community enjoys an expansive variety of nations to select, each boasting its own distinct National Focus Trees.

For those who find the intricacies of ‘Hearts of Iron 4’ daunting, it might be wise to pick an uncomplicated country for their initial game. This approach allows them to grasp the mechanics without feeling overwhelmed. Fortunately, several countries offer a more straightforward learning experience.

As a fresh gamer diving into this world, I’d recommend starting from the 1936 milestone to get acquainted with the intricate mechanics of this game. This will help you lay a solid foundation for understanding and enjoying the full experience.

9 Mexico

Stop Civil Wars, Conquer The World Afterwards

Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Countries For Beginners
Capital Mexico City
Government Type Non-Aligned, Moderate
Faction Neutral

In the context of starting games in Hearts of Iron 4, Mexico’s guarantee by the United States means it is generally secure from immediate threats. With war objectives available in both the North and South, as well as potential territorial claims in Central America, Mexico has an opportunity to expand its territory. Moreover, Mexico boasts substantial manpower and industrial resources. Over time, these strengths can be cultivated, allowing Mexico to potentially rival the United States in power, all while the Allies are still preparing their response.

Although Mexico’s religious background often necessitates a delicate balance that could potentially spark Civil Wars, these conflicts should not overly disadvantage players in the grand scheme of things. For those interested in military training within the context of Hearts of Iron 4, it may be strategic to focus on Central America, as British influence in Belize can help secure nearby democratic allies and provide support for players.

8 Argentina

Watch The War Unfold At A Distance

Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Countries For Beginners
Capital Buenos Aires
Government Type Non-Aligned, Despotic
Faction Neutral

In the world of Hearts of Iron 4, choosing Argentina as your starting nation could be quite alluring due to its relatively inactive neighbors in South America. Since it’s usually backed by the United States, you can leverage Argentina’s military strength, particularly its Army and Navy, to take on Brazil and Chile with a sense of security. This makes it easier to grow your influence beyond these neighboring countries.

In a secure setting, players should initiate an Argentina campaign by prioritizing their Industry for the purpose of enhancing both Civilian and Military Production Facilities, as well as overall Infrastructure. Being a Neutral country, Argentina can access the Fascist aspects of the Focus Tree without adopting the Ideology itself. This can be achieved by appointing Democratic or Communist Ministers to counterbalance the Fascist elements. By taking this approach, players can reap the advantages of Fascism’s aggressive inclinations without fully committing to it. This position also offers the flexibility to select any desired Ideology, such as going full Fascist and joining the Axis, becoming Communist and joining the Comintern, or aligning with the Allies.

7 Nationalist China

Start As An Underdog Victor, Continue The Momentum

Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Countries For Beginners
Capital Nanjing
Government Type Non-Aligned, Despotic
Faction Neutral (1936), Chinese United Front (1939)

Although initially facing challenges due to threats from Japan and internal conflicts, Nationalist China offers abundant opportunities to excel in the gameplay of Hearts of Iron 4, thanks to its vast manpower and production capabilities. If players master the art of thwarting Japan’s invasion, they could potentially reverse the situation, seize Japan, and embark on a self-initiated global conquest.

Learning about Land Warfare and Production can be greatly benefited by studying the situation in Nationalist China, as its need to defend itself against Japan provides a clear context. The initial conflict with Japan is relatively easy to understand, given that China has the northeastern regions and coastlines to protect, along with the manpower required for a substantial defense effort. Although primarily focused on Japan, Nationalist China remains a significant power, boasting a robust economy with potential for growth.

6 German Reich

Play More Proactively For More Impact

Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Countries For Beginners
Capital Berlin
Government Type Fascist
Faction Axis (Leader)

For newcomers to the strategy game Hearts of Iron 4, it’s advisable to select Germany as their starting point to actively improve their skills. The straightforward Focus Tree in this country makes it easier for players to grasp the game mechanics while enjoying immediate benefits. Moreover, Germany’s initial allies can serve as a protective shield, allowing them to strengthen and develop their promising industry without any immediate threat of war.

Germany’s sheer production potential allows players to maneuver their way around the game and slowly improve whichever aspects of gameplay they want to master. Micromanaging Germany’s vast resources can take time to getting used to, allowing players to commit worthwhile mistakes and eventually learn how to counteract them.

5 Sweden

No Immediate Danger With A Lot Of Resources To Use

Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Countries For Beginners
Capital Stockholm
Government Type Democratic, Socialist
Faction Neutral

For newcomers, it might be wise to look into one of the neutrally aligned nations during World War II, especially with the Historical AI activated. In this context, Sweden stands out as a reliable pick among Scandinavian countries, as it holds the most power compared to Denmark, Norway, and Finland. Unlike these neighboring nations, Sweden does not currently face any immediate threats from either the Germans or Soviets.

As a passionate admirer, I’d like to highlight that Sweden, despite not boasting a massive workforce, is endowed with an array of valuable natural resources, particularly Steel and Tungsten. Its military forces may be small, but they offer a manageable scope for strategic planning. For novice strategists, this offers a unique opportunity to delve into the art of division organization and ship/aircraft design, all without the immediate pressure of engaging in warfare within a few years.

Additionally, Sweden employs a standard Focus Tree, which is advantageous because generic trees are straightforward and easy for newcomers to grasp. This allows beginners to quickly comprehend how bonuses relate to their military and industrial strengths. Lastly, novices can test their skills in their initial conflict by engaging one of Sweden’s less powerful neighbors, like Denmark or Finland.

4 Portugal

Use A Smaller Country To Get To Know The Game’s Mechanics

Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Countries For Beginners
Capital Lisbon
Government Type Non-Aligned, Despotic
Faction None

Similar to Sweden, Portugal is another nation that managed to keep its distance from the conflicts of World War II by maintaining neutrality. In the game, Portugal sits strategically on the Iberian peninsula with Spain being its only neighbor, providing a secure starting position for players. Additionally, Portugal has several colonies scattered across the map, offering an opportunity for players to explore and understand the Subjects mechanic. Unlike Great Britain, Portugal’s colonies are not as geographically dispersed, making it simpler for players to grasp the fundamental aspects of the game.

Portugal offers a lively and distinctive National Focus Tree that guides new players on their ruling path within the country. Newcomers can familiarize themselves with the Ship Designer feature as Portugal’s navy is quite small. Moreover, strategic-minded players might want to contemplate a conflict against Spain, which is typically weakened militarily after their civil war, providing an opportunity for expansion.

3 Kingdom Of Hungary

Multi-Directional Frontline

Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Countries For Beginners
Capital Budapest
Government Type Non-Aligned, Oligarchic
Faction Axis

Players seeking a hands-on experience in World War II beyond mere spectatorship might consider the Kingdom of Hungary as their starting point. Initiating the game in 1936 as a relatively minor nation, Hungary offers various avenues for substantial growth. Since it is a landlocked country, those who prefer to avoid naval complexities can breathe easily during gameplay.

As a devoted enthusiast, I’d like to share some exciting possibilities when exploring the National Focus Tree of the Kingdom of Hungary. For instance, you could embark on a journey to rekindle the grandeur of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, steered by the Habsburgs once more.

2 Dominion Of Canada

Stick With The Allies And The Protection Of US

Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Countries For Beginners
Capital Ottawa
Government Type Democratic, Liberal
Faction Allies

People looking for a nation to support among the Allies might want to consider Canada. Being part of the British Empire, Canada maintains strong ties with its mother country, the UK, as well as other Dominions like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Unlike Great Britain and France that will be directly involved in combat from the start, Canada enjoys geographical safety due to its location next to the United States.

A significant portion of Canada’s National Focus Tree centers around boosting the nation’s industry, technology, defense, and infrastructure. New players will find it helpful to learn how to effectively use bonuses/advantages in production, a skill that will be valuable later when tackling more challenging countries.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in strategy games, I can confidently say that Canada offers unique advantages due to its rich natural resources and diverse trade partners. For beginners, it would be wise to align with the Allies in the early stages of the game, as this alliance provides a solid foundation for growth and stability. However, as you become more adept at understanding the intricacies of the game mechanics, I recommend exploring the ahistorical paths. These unconventional routes offer a more challenging and memorable experience, allowing players to craft their own narrative within the game world.

1 United States

A Sleeping Giant With A Lot Of Power To Manage

Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Countries For Beginners
Capital Washington
Government Type Democratic, Liberal
Faction Neutral

For individuals looking to advance their abilities, the United States offers an excellent environment. Similar to Canada, it is shielded by the vast Atlantic and Pacific Oceans geographically. The U.S. has a significant size, boasting abundant natural resources and a large workforce to leverage. Building civilian and military facilities in America is relatively straightforward due to its extensive landmass. Its navy is also formidable, stationed within its harbors. The U.S., often referred to as the “sleeping giant,” lives up to this nickname.

Currently, the United States faces numerous challenges. If you engage with the Historically Accurate AI, a war with the Axis Powers becomes inevitable. However, America’s immense capacity for warfare and its strong alliances with other Allied nations make it a formidable adversary. Much like in reality, the Axis will find it difficult to match the U.S.’s production capabilities.

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2024-08-11 23:55