Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Countries For Beginners

Hearts of Iron 4 is a grand strategy game that rewards (but more frequently punishes) learning by doing. Each playthrough is an extended history lesson that’ll likely be capped off by a catastrophic mistake or two. For a newcomer, the prospect of mastering even one national focus tree is tricky.

Fortunately, some countries offer a smoother on-ramp than others. These nations provide fertile ground for newbies to sharpen their skills without having to worry about being steamrolled by the Wehrmacht.

Italy

Ambitious Yet Forgiving

Italy is the quintessential underachiever of the game – plenty of ambition, dubious execution. But that’s exactly what makes the country the ideal playground for beginners. Unlike Germany, Italy can make mistakes without instantly altering the fate of the world; a few failed invasions are not a game-ender. The Mediterranean is a forgiving theater, especially since Mussolini’s navy is one of the nation’s few bright spots.

The focus tree is less daunting than other majors, and the country’s early war with Ethiopia is a low-key tutorial in managing divisions and supply. A beginner can experiment with land and aerial combat while building a modest empire and still have time to recover from rookie errors. Besides, defeating the British Empire in North Africa is deeply satisfying…once players learn the ropes, of course!

German Reich

Europe’s Most Deadly Threat

At first glance, putting a major nation like Germany in the hands of a beginner may seem intimidating. But quite the opposite! Germany’s strengths make it almost impossible to fail in the early game. The Wehrmacht is stacked, and when coupled with its industrial base that’s already priming for war, the country hands a lot of power to the player right out of the gate. Germany also gives new players an immediate crash course in world politics, since its every action, unsurprisingly, has far-reaching consequences.

The real value is the chance to experiment with blitzkrieg tactics and encirclements, which any WW2 buff knows is the fastest way to success. The national focus tree after Gotterdammerung teaches basic (along with advanced) mechanics, while the scale of German ambitions provides multiple paths to victory. The only danger is overconfidence, which, in the grand tradition of Germany in that era, is basically the point.

United States

A Safe Environment

The United States is essentially the game’s sandbox. Safely enclosed between two oceans and an impressive navy, America can sit back and observe the world in flames for several years before committing a soldier to battle. This means new players have time to master production lines, research, tank/aircraft designs, and doctrines without worrying about early invasions. Once the arsenal of democracy is up and running, beginners can pick and choose where to intervene.

Best of all, the U.S. economy is so large that it’s difficult to run out of resources, even while building fleets that dwarf the combined Axis navies. Fans who want to learn the game’s mechanics with zero existential threats will find that America is definitely the way to go.

Sweden

Plenty Of Resource Advantages

Sweden is basically the Switzerland of Scandinavia. They’re neutral, overlooked, and (unlike Switzerland) are very rich in resources. Sweden’s neutrality means players won’t be immediately targeted by major powers, and its powerful industrial base and easy access to steel allow it to punch above its weight class. The national focus tree, while not as complex as the majors, is surprisingly flexible; players can opt to maintain neutrality, join the Allies, or embrace the Nordic dream of uniting Scandinavia.

Sweden is the archetypal arms exporter and great for those who want a little breathing room to learn the economic and diplomatic systems without the pressure cooker of early warfare and potential subjugation. And if players do decide to go to war, the country’s defensible geography makes holding out against invasions an achievable affair.

Dominion Of Canada

The Gentle Way To Start A Game

Canada is the United States’ more manageable sibling. As part of the British Commonwealth, Canada can participate in the Second World War without facing an immediate threat of invasion. No one is making a beeline for Montreal in 1939! The Canadian military starts small, but the country’s vast land and industrial potential serve as a worthy exercise in long-term buildup and research. More importantly, Canada is great for a gentle introduction to expeditionary warfare.

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Players can support British operations across the Empire, learning how to reinforce allies and coordinate attacks. In short, Canada is the perfect place to master the basics of land, sea, and air combat before graduating to one of the more hectic world powers.

Brazil

Good Regional Opportunities

Brazil is the sleeping giant of South America, especially so with the Trial of Allegiance DLC. With no major enemies on its borders and the entire continent up for grabs, Brazil is the best place to try one’s hand at conquest with a safety net. The initial army is modest. Nevertheless, the country’s significant size and resource wealth will allow newbies the chance to experiment with industry and research without micromanaging a global empire. Brazil’s national focus tree is straightforward and offers several fun historical events (including the option to send forces to Europe as an Allied power).

Beginners can practice with the early banditry events to get a feel for how to handle internal dysfunction. When ready, Brazil can intervene in either hemisphere, supporting the Allies or Axis in a way that seldom provokes an early catastrophe. It’s a low-pressure way to rewrite the map without worrying about London or Berlin breathing down your neck.

Mexico

A Low-Pressure Starting Position

Mexico offers a playthrough brimming with opportunity, all from the comfort of the Western Hemisphere and protected by the USA. Initially, Mexico is a second-tier power, but its unique national focus tree allows for multiple branching paths. Beginners can experiment with coups and diplomatic wrangling in a setting where the consequences are slight. The relatively weak starting army and industry teach valuable resource management.

Once Mexico has stabilized (through the National Bank branch of the focus tree), it can choose to ally with a global power or try to establish regional dominance by initiating a rematch with the US through the “Revenge of Montezuma” path. Plus, few things feel as sweet as storming the Panama Canal with an army built from scratch.

Argentina

A Great Place To Start In South America

Argentina possesses a front-row seat to South American geopolitics. For beginners, this means a manageable landmass, a defensible position, and just enough industry to get creative. Argentina’s in-depth focus tree offers many possibilities, some of which involve hegemonic power over the continent, like the “Dominate the South” branch.

Early-game conflicts with Chile and Paraguay are low-stakes tutorials, while the slow burn toward global involvement lets players get to grips with research and production at their own pace. Argentina is pretty forgiving on the whole. Even if players lose, they can regroup to fight another day. As a training ground for aspiring Pattons, Argentina is second to none.

Portugal

No One Will See Them Coming…

Portugal represents yet another underdog. With an aging empire and limited manpower, it’s easy to ignore. However, its small size means fewer moving parts to manage, not to mention its strategic position offers immediate access to both European and African theaters. The national focus tree will familiarize players with colonial management and the art of leveraging alliances.

The navy is serviceable, so it’s an excellent starting point for mastering all manner of seaborne warfare. Beginners can learn the intricacies of opportunistic conquests, and overall, it proves that players don’t need size to make a splash on the world stage.

Bulgaria

A Regional Power With Teeth

Bulgaria is a regional power with a chip on its shoulder. Sandwiched between larger nations and cursed with a volatile political climate, Bulgaria gives new players a baptism by fire. Its focus tree enables a wide range of outcomes, from cozying up to the Axis to switching sides mid-conflict to playing both ends against the middle.

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For beginners, the primary appeal is learning how to maximize a small army and exploiting the terrain to make up for said army. Every decision counts, and each victory is certainly hard-earned. Bulgaria is good for newcomers who want to feel the thrill of high-stakes maneuvering without being swamped by global logistical headaches.