Hearts of Iron IV is, arguably, one of Paradox Interactive’s best grand strategy games. The player — that’s you — takes control of a nation a few years before the onset of World War II. Your goal is to lead your nation politically, economically, and militarily through the war. But for most, learning the Hearts of Iron IV nations takes time, patience, and plenty of failure!
As a beginner to Hearts of Iron IV, chances are you’re a little confused as to which nation to begin with, right? It’s okay.
Here are a few of the best Hearts of Iron IV nations for beginners!
Germany
When I first started playing Hearts of Iron IV, the more experienced players in my life immediately told me to start a campaign as Germany. I’m telling you the same thing. Why? Because Germany offers excellent technology trees, a strong industrial setup, and is situated perfectly among a slew of weak nations ripe for the taking.
Those weak nations are crucial here. You have a chance to build up your military — land, air, and sea — and slowly conquer neighboring countries one-by-one. Early on, no one wants to enter into a massive world war. Other countries, while unhappy with your aggressive expansion, are unlikely to retaliate.
Furthermore, as the head of the Fascist party, Germany can ally with numerous sizable nations, including Italy and Japan, making them a powerhouse in the mid- to late-game.
United States
Do you enjoy doing anything you want on a world scale? The United States is one of the easiest factions to play and to learn the various mechanics of Hearts of Iron IV. The U.S. offers abundant resources, a reliable, robust industry, a secure starting position, and solid military forces with excellent late-game technology. Once you enter the war, your forces, with the right planning and resupply network, become an unstoppable wrecking machine.
On top of the excellent units, the United States is unique in that it can have a total of six research slots. Most country’s only have four. The two extra slots can put you well ahead of the competition.
The downside? The U.S. is somewhat limited diplomatically due to the Monroe Doctrine, which guarantees every country throughout North, South, and Central America.
Soviet Union
Lastly, to round out our factions, we have the Soviet Union. This behemoth is the strongest communist nation in the game, and a fantastic new player faction.
While it is surrounded by countless other countries in both Europe and Asia, the Soviet Union features unparalleled manpower and an impressive industrial base. With the right research and upgrades, you can turn your cannon fodder into genuinely terrifying shock troopers.
If your military is your focus, lean into the Stalin Constitution on the Focus Tree for manpower and research buffs.
There you have it, folks. Three Hearts of Iron IV nations ideal for new players who want to learn the game at their own pace. Of course, if you want a challenge and you want to learn fast, consider Finland. You’ll learn the mechanics or fail.