No Step Back + Patch is released 23rd November 2021 (Today, at the time of post).
Supply & logistics system is completely overhauled (now uses trains, rail lines and supply hubs).
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1348661/Expansion__Hearts_of_Iron_IV_No_Step_Back/
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# Feature - No Step Back
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- Added focus tree and national content for Soviet Union
- Added focus tree and national content for Lithuania
- Added focus tree and national content for Estonia
- Added focus tree and national content for Latvia
- Added focus tree and national content for Poland
- Added Tank Designer system, featuring 60+ unique modules and myriad combinations & roles
- Added Logistics Strike air mission, targeting trains and supply infrastructure
- Added bespoke train and armored train models for ENG, USA, SOV, GER, ITA, JAP and FRA
- Added Railway Artillery units, which can be attached to armies to provide a unique support role and aid in breaking through fortified positions.
- Added generic Railway Artillery model
- Added unique Railway Artillery models for USA, SOV, FRA, JAP, GER and ENG
- Added 60+ Military Spirits to Officer Corps, allowing you to specialize various departmental branches with new effects and art.
- Added Scorched Earth state interaction, allowing you to disable supply infrastructure in the face of oncoming advances
- Added unique unit models and VO Implementation for EST, LAT and LIT
- Added Preferred Tactic system, allowing you to select a national, field marshal, and general-level tactic that will influence the fighting style of your troops.
- Added system for promoting field commanders into military advisors, allowing you to specialize and grow your advisory cadre
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# Feature - Free
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- Infrastructure and other support buildings can now be constructed in your allies' territory.
- Historical Focuses OFF setting will now cause countries to pick a weighted path from their available paths, instead of choosing focuses essentially at random (this can have a significant effect on ahistorical games, and should result in less apparent poor-planning from the AI).
- Reworked and added to historical focus tree and national content for Poland
- Reworked and added to historical focus tree and national content for the Soviet Union
- Reworked and added to Trotsky focus tree path for the Soviet Union
- A visual cue is now displayed when units die due to encirclement
- Totally overhauled supply and logistics system
- Added Supply Hub building, which distribute supplies to nearby units
- Added Railway building, allowing you to link supply hubs and ports
- Added basic train model and train research
- Added Officer Corps country view, containing information on your military details and advisors
- Totally overhauled experience generation, with most early-game branch experience now coming from advisors
- Doctrines now found in the Officer Corps view, and cost experience to unlock, instead of being researched
- Added rail and supply hub area defense order setting, which prioritizes supply hubs
- (Modding/Feature) Added new character system, tying together numerous different systems behind-the-scenes. Advisors, generals, admirals, country leaders, and more, can now be a property of a character.
Full patch notes:
https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/developer-diary/hoi4-dev-diary-patch-notes.1498093/
This is looking like one of their better DLCs for this title.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on November 23, 2021, 08:50:52 AM
This is looking like one of their better DLCs for this title.
Apparently, the new logistics system appears to recreate historical situations in regards to capturing major supply routes etc. and adds a new layer of depth.
I think someone at Paradox was playing Warplan and took notice of its supply system.
We'll find out soon... (less than an hour to go at the time of this post).
Quote from: Ian C on November 23, 2021, 09:29:49 AM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on November 23, 2021, 08:50:52 AM
This is looking like one of their better DLCs for this title.
Apparently, the new logistics system appears to recreate historical situations in regards to capturing major supply routes etc. and adds a new layer of depth.
I think someone at Paradox was playing Warplan and took notice of its supply system.
We'll find out soon... (less than an hour to go at the time of this post).
Looking forward to getting back into this game after a long break.
I, too, used to play this game a whole bunch, but when they created the new naval system I never really sat down and concentrated on it long enough to learn it--and as a result, I have never played again!
Does anybody by any chance know a good step-by-step tutorial on the naval system? This new patch is very intriguing.
Quote from: glen55 on November 23, 2021, 12:30:27 PM
Does anybody by any chance know a good step-by-step tutorial on the naval system? This new patch is very intriguing.
Thanks, Ian C, but for some reason those links are not coming through. All I'm getting is a sad face and youtube failed to connect.
Can you give me a couple of buzzwords I can go to youtube and search for. Like author/title?
I got you brudda. O0 The easy way to fix it is to replace "youtube.com/watch?v=" with "youtu.be/" in the URL to change it into a shareable link.
Much thanks. But wait, which one of you is the brains and which one is the brawn?
At any rate, kudos to Ian C and al_infierno.
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
While all this new stuff is great...I hope they worked on the AI to be able to use these new toys. In its long history, Paradox has from time to time added features without teaching the AI to use them
Quote from: ArizonaTank on November 23, 2021, 05:19:22 PM
While all this new stuff is great...I hope they worked on the AI to be able to use these new toys. In its long history, Paradox has from time to time added features without teaching the AI to use them
The AI doesn't know how to use the old features yet. Have around 2000 hours into the game. I think I've rage-quit every game within a year of the main war starting. Mods make the game more interesting but then the AI is even less likely to play them well.
Quote from: bobarossa on November 23, 2021, 09:24:05 PM
I think I've rage-quit every game within a year of the main war starting.
This is my HoI 4 experience in a nutshell.
Latest tutorials for the DLC:
What really annoys me about HOI4 is the way the air war is handled. Why is it I can't unleash fighters, light bombers and tactical bombers on airfields to bomb planes on the ground? It happened in reality, but apparently it can't happen in HOI4! Strat bombers can reduce the operational use of airfields, but again can't destroy planes on the ground... :idiot2:
The other thing is that leaders are added for fleets/armies etc, but not for air fleets. No Bomber Harris, Ernst Udet, Hermann Goering or Hugh Dowding. This is really inconsistent with the approach taken with other forces in the game.
On the plus side the new Barbarossa update does add some interesting stuff will railways and transport hubs providing some challenging issues. However, trains now need military factories to produce and it'd have been nice if the number of factories limit per state was increased to cover production of things that previously weren't a consideration.
The new supply system combined with the way doctrines now use experience instead of research has really moved the game up a notch in depth and realism.
Quote from: Boggit on November 28, 2021, 06:35:50 PM
What really annoys me about HOI4 is the way the air war is handled. Why is it I can't unleash fighters, light bombers and tactical bombers on airfields to bomb planes on the ground? It happened in reality, but apparently it can't happen in HOI4! Strat bombers can reduce the operational use of airfields, but again can't destroy planes on the ground... :idiot2:
The other thing is that leaders are added for fleets/armies etc, but not for air fleets. No Bomber Harris, Ernst Udet, Hermann Goering or Hugh Dowding. This is really inconsistent with the approach taken with other forces in the game.
On the plus side the new Barbarossa update does add some interesting stuff will railways and transport hubs providing some challenging issues. However, trains now need military factories to produce and it'd have been nice if the number of factories limit per state was increased to cover production of things that previously weren't a consideration.
Another Air Force issue is that you can't send planes to an expeditionary force...the Germans and Russians sending air units to Spain for example. But they may have fixed that...not certain, haven't tried it yet.
You needed one of the dlcs for air volunteers. Forget which one.
Quote from: bobarossa on December 12, 2021, 10:28:03 PM
You needed one of the dlcs for air volunteers. Forget which one.
Waking The Tiger.
https://hoi4.paradoxwikis.com/Downloadable_content#Expansions
Quote from: Boggit on November 28, 2021, 06:35:50 PM
What really annoys me about HOI4 is the way the air war is handled. Why is it I can't unleash fighters, light bombers and tactical bombers on airfields to bomb planes on the ground? It happened in reality, but apparently it can't happen in HOI4! Strat bombers can reduce the operational use of airfields, but again can't destroy planes on the ground... :idiot2:
There is an Op called 'Coordinated Strike'. You might have to own the La Resistance DLC to use it though.
Quote:
Coordinated Strike
Allows setting up air strikes and launching a surprise attack. This will let us simulate things like Pearl Harbor and the devastation that the Germans wrought on soviet air forces on the start of Barbarossa. Your agents prepare an area that will see a strong initial strike. You need to set up your air force missions before and when the operation triggers the strike will happen (and war declared if you are a nation allowed to do this). It works for port strikes and strategic bombing. When activated all prepared Port Strike and Strategic Bombing in the target region will execute multiple times without air defense being able to intercept them.
Not to be negative or anything, but all this talk of improving the depth and realism of HoI with all these bolted on mechanics makes me wonder what the game could have been if all this cool stuff had been baked into the game from its foundation.
Quote from: al_infierno on December 13, 2021, 05:20:04 PM
Not to be negative or anything, but all this talk of improving the depth and realism of HoI with all these bolted on mechanics makes me wonder what the game could have been if all this cool stuff had been baked into the game from its foundation.
Not the paradox way, plus to get it this much further has taken them 5 additional years so would have been a longer initial release date.
nevermind
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on December 14, 2021, 05:41:29 AM
Quote from: al_infierno on December 13, 2021, 05:20:04 PM
Not to be negative or anything, but all this talk of improving the depth and realism of HoI with all these bolted on mechanics makes me wonder what the game could have been if all this cool stuff had been baked into the game from its foundation.
Not the paradox way, plus to get it this much further has taken them 5 additional years so would have been a longer initial release date.
The problem is they'll make a HOI V and leave out most of what they did with the IV DLC. ;D
True that.
I have to say, I agree with much of the posted criticisms but.....all said and done I really enjoy the game and Steam says I have over 366 hours into it.
Quote from: smittyohio on December 14, 2021, 02:55:18 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on December 14, 2021, 05:41:29 AM
Quote from: al_infierno on December 13, 2021, 05:20:04 PM
Not to be negative or anything, but all this talk of improving the depth and realism of HoI with all these bolted on mechanics makes me wonder what the game could have been if all this cool stuff had been baked into the game from its foundation.
Not the paradox way, plus to get it this much further has taken them 5 additional years so would have been a longer initial release date.
The problem is they'll make a HOI V and leave out most of what they did with the IV DLC. ;D
Yep, they have always done that so don't expect any changes...must do well with that model since they continue doing it
Quote from: Rayfer on December 14, 2021, 06:15:19 PM
I have to say, I agree with much of the posted criticisms but.....all said and done I really enjoy the game and Steam says I have over 366 hours into it.
I'm having the best game I've had in a long time with the new DLC and beta patch. Playing as UK in '36. It's now February 1942. My usual strategy to counter the Italian takeover of East Africa is to transfer Indian divisions from the British Raj and then hold them off. A combined Armoured force in North Africa usually pushes the Italians back and by 1940-41 I usually take all of Africa.
Not so with the new supply system.
My 24 UK and Indian divisions in North Africa on the Libyan border with Egypt was a near-disaster. The group was under-supplied (around 16% supply status for each division and resulting degradation in organisation) and the Italian force of around 8 divisions pushed them back and then started hacking down the disorganised and under-supplied units. I had to increase motorization of supply and fly air supply missions just to hold ground. It then turned into sporadic skirmishes and half-hearted offensives until 1941. By then I'd built rail links from Alexandria, which improved supply, and achieved naval superiority in central Mediterranean. I'd beaten most of the Italian navy in continued skirmishes, air attacks and a major naval battle, had significant Intel bonuses from high-level Radar in Malta and was picking off axis supply convoys to North Africa.
I used my Intel bonuses by activating the cracked Italian cyphers, gained air superiority and launched an aggressive planned thrust. It was an intense battle, it looked like I wasn't going to win until I gave the order for a Forced Attack and the enemy shattered. I finally broke the deadlock and pushed the Italians back to Benghazi. By then Greece had been attacked so I sent half the Indian force to mainland Greece to hold the mountains while the other half pursued the Italians west. I checked my Intel on Greece and saw they were going down a path of war with Turkey with their Focus Tree. Barbarossa was in progress, so a war might push Turkey over to the Axis, which means the Soviets would be fighting on the southern Caucasus front, in Georgia and Armenia.
I'm considering pulling out my Indian force so that Greece falls, to prevent a possible collapse of the Soviets if Turkey joins the Axis. It's not a strategic decision I've ever had to make in any other game before, but the Axis lines are not too distant from Moscow and I'm not taking any chances. It's also worth mentioning that winters and bad weather are now proving decisive in supply considerations, battles and operations.
All this being said, it's an awful lot of data to deal with and it's been a hugely long game so far. I'm playing on speed 2 to 3 and having to check every theatre constantly, but I am really enjoying it.
Quote from: Rayfer on December 14, 2021, 06:15:19 PM
I have to say, I agree with much of the posted criticisms but.....all said and done I really enjoy the game and Steam says I have over 366 hours into it.
+1, over 200 hours for me.
Quote from: ArizonaTank on December 15, 2021, 02:46:13 PM
Quote from: Rayfer on December 14, 2021, 06:15:19 PM
I have to say, I agree with much of the posted criticisms but.....all said and done I really enjoy the game and Steam says I have over 366 hours into it.
+1, over 200 hours for me.
:hide:
(https://i.postimg.cc/26nYTFFW/Screenshot-2193.png)
Wow :notworthy:
Quote from: Ian C on December 15, 2021, 06:05:03 AM
Quote from: Rayfer on December 14, 2021, 06:15:19 PM
I have to say, I agree with much of the posted criticisms but.....all said and done I really enjoy the game and Steam says I have over 366 hours into it.
I'm having the best game I've had in a long time with the new DLC and beta patch. Playing as UK in '36. It's now February 1942. My usual strategy to counter the Italian takeover of East Africa is to transfer Indian divisions from the British Raj and then hold them off. A combined Armoured force in North Africa usually pushes the Italians back and by 1940-41 I usually take all of Africa.
Not so with the new supply system.
My 24 UK and Indian divisions in North Africa on the Libyan border with Egypt was a near-disaster. The group was under-supplied (around 16% supply status for each division and resulting degradation in organisation) and the Italian force of around 8 divisions pushed them back and then started hacking down the disorganised and under-supplied units. I had to increase motorization of supply and fly air supply missions just to hold ground. It then turned into sporadic skirmishes and half-hearted offensives until 1941. By then I'd built rail links from Alexandria, which improved supply, and achieved naval superiority in central Mediterranean. I'd beaten most of the Italian navy in continued skirmishes, air attacks and a major naval battle, had significant Intel bonuses from high-level Radar in Malta and was picking off axis supply convoys to North Africa.
I used my Intel bonuses by activating the cracked Italian cyphers, gained air superiority and launched an aggressive planned thrust. It was an intense battle, it looked like I wasn't going to win until I gave the order for a Forced Attack and the enemy shattered. I finally broke the deadlock and pushed the Italians back to Benghazi. By then Greece had been attacked so I sent half the Indian force to mainland Greece to hold the mountains while the other half pursued the Italians west. I checked my Intel on Greece and saw they were going down a path of war with Turkey with their Focus Tree. Barbarossa was in progress, so a war might push Turkey over to the Axis, which means the Soviets would be fighting on the southern Caucasus front, in Georgia and Armenia.
I'm considering pulling out my Indian force so that Greece falls, to prevent a possible collapse of the Soviets if Turkey joins the Axis. It's not a strategic decision I've ever had to make in any other game before, but the Axis lines are not too distant from Moscow and I'm not taking any chances. It's also worth mentioning that winters and bad weather are now proving decisive in supply considerations, battles and operations.
All this being said, it's an awful lot of data to deal with and it's been a hugely long game so far. I'm playing on speed 2 to 3 and having to check every theatre constantly, but I am really enjoying it.
Nice write up. This is the first time someone has convinced me to dust it off and give it another chance...
Quote from: Tanaka on December 15, 2021, 10:35:04 PM
Quote from: Ian C on December 15, 2021, 06:05:03 AM
Quote from: Rayfer on December 14, 2021, 06:15:19 PM
I have to say, I agree with much of the posted criticisms but.....all said and done I really enjoy the game and Steam says I have over 366 hours into it.
I'm having the best game I've had in a long time with the new DLC and beta patch. Playing as UK in '36. It's now February 1942. My usual strategy to counter the Italian takeover of East Africa is to transfer Indian divisions from the British Raj and then hold them off. A combined Armoured force in North Africa usually pushes the Italians back and by 1940-41 I usually take all of Africa.
Not so with the new supply system.
My 24 UK and Indian divisions in North Africa on the Libyan border with Egypt was a near-disaster. The group was under-supplied (around 16% supply status for each division and resulting degradation in organisation) and the Italian force of around 8 divisions pushed them back and then started hacking down the disorganised and under-supplied units. I had to increase motorization of supply and fly air supply missions just to hold ground. It then turned into sporadic skirmishes and half-hearted offensives until 1941. By then I'd built rail links from Alexandria, which improved supply, and achieved naval superiority in central Mediterranean. I'd beaten most of the Italian navy in continued skirmishes, air attacks and a major naval battle, had significant Intel bonuses from high-level Radar in Malta and was picking off axis supply convoys to North Africa.
I used my Intel bonuses by activating the cracked Italian cyphers, gained air superiority and launched an aggressive planned thrust. It was an intense battle, it looked like I wasn't going to win until I gave the order for a Forced Attack and the enemy shattered. I finally broke the deadlock and pushed the Italians back to Benghazi. By then Greece had been attacked so I sent half the Indian force to mainland Greece to hold the mountains while the other half pursued the Italians west. I checked my Intel on Greece and saw they were going down a path of war with Turkey with their Focus Tree. Barbarossa was in progress, so a war might push Turkey over to the Axis, which means the Soviets would be fighting on the southern Caucasus front, in Georgia and Armenia.
I'm considering pulling out my Indian force so that Greece falls, to prevent a possible collapse of the Soviets if Turkey joins the Axis. It's not a strategic decision I've ever had to make in any other game before, but the Axis lines are not too distant from Moscow and I'm not taking any chances. It's also worth mentioning that winters and bad weather are now proving decisive in supply considerations, battles and operations.
All this being said, it's an awful lot of data to deal with and it's been a hugely long game so far. I'm playing on speed 2 to 3 and having to check every theatre constantly, but I am really enjoying it.
Nice write up. This is the first time someone has convinced me to dust it off and give it another chance...
I must mention that I'm using all expansions, all DLC (not the music DLC or unit packs) and patch 1.11.4 for 'Barbarossa' (b22c).
To get the most from the game you have to be aware that even though it's real-time, you can't play it above speed 2 or 3 while at war and you must pause every few days to take stock of the situation on the map. There's so much going on you can easily miss it and this is where most people lose it as things get out of hand. It is a huge game to take on. Most of my games last weeks.
There's actually a Paradox sale on at the moment and all expansions (apart from the latest one) and DLC are 50% off.
https://www.paradoxplaza.com/search?q=hearts+of+ron&lang=en_US
Those are some pretty impressive numbers, Ian C! :notworthy:
I find myself agreeing with much of the criticism re: the DLC storm to get a fully featured game. On the other hand, considering the dev time to get it to this point, it's certainly possible that they've created a game that they never would have gotten their return on investment at $60. We all know how gamers balk at anything above that notional limit.
I've thought of picking up this game a number of times. I'm finding myself strangely intrigued after the last few posts... :-"
It looks like the full HOI IV game, with all DLC and expansions would run close to +/- $100 on the Paradox site.
Quote from: Toonces on December 16, 2021, 01:13:06 PM
Those are some pretty impressive numbers, Ian C! :notworthy:
What a piker! (can't figure out how to insert image inline so it's an attachment)
Actually the hours include time spent Alt-Tabbed out to other programs as well as times I forgot to close program and it sat there overnight. Probably half that number of hours actually playing.
I restarted playing after the new patch (you get much of the logistics and focus changes without buying the DLC) and am enjoying the changes. Reminds me of HOI3 where all the supply/fuel moved one region at a time away from the Capitol and you had to simulate a railroad by upgrading infrastructure in a line of regions from the capitol to the front.
Man alive! Respect! :notworthy:
I was surprised myself that I'd clocked over 1,000 hours. I'm semi-retired, so I have a lot of time to spend gaming. Wonderful toys we have, these days.
I've found these mods help with immersion greatly. They are purely visual mods, and don't alter gameplay.
Insignia Collection - Historical Armies
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2580279781
(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1700659291590011900/AEAED7AE83C9555B8FF6EE9457FA823A050CD871/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false)
Sensible Theatre Icons (Not compatible with Insignia mod above - use one or the other)
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1915965716
(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/785253841285779641/47493700580BBCF1013F53AE4DAD05F24D5EE14A/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false)
Square Unit Counters
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2172315725
(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1483325035907587756/ADF3F1A4AC452068BD289CB409D2CE4BFF2862B5/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false)
NATO Template Counters
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=768448576
(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/257092990916560308/8DBBEE3F65665D15CDA3F1F92D78F8CC45DF6B08/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false)
Historical German Flag (Swastika)
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=698660211
Quote from: Toonces on December 16, 2021, 01:17:39 PM
It looks like the full HOI IV game, with all DLC and expansions would run close to +/- $100 on the Paradox site.
Might be a bit cheaper here : https://www.greenmangaming.com/games/hearts-of-iron-iv/ or here https://us.gamesplanet.com/game/hearts-of-iron-iv-cadet-edition-steam-key--3030-1
You don't need the packs (armor, planes, ..) as they are only cosmetic.
You can get the base game and all the expansions and DLC (not the unit packs or music – they don't add any gameplay, just get La Resistance, No Step Back, Battle for the Bosphorus, Waking The Tiger, Man The Guns, Together for Victory, Death or Dishonour) for $80 / £60; or if you have the base game already, just the expansions for $70 / £50.
https://www.paradoxplaza.com/search?q=hearts+of+ron&lang=en_US
Playing as Soviet Union and am 1 month into war with Germany. I have the new patch but not the DLC (only have Waking the Tiger and Man the Guns). I can confirm the AI still has no idea what it's doing. Germany currently has implemented the Scraping the Barrel mobilization plan (with it's -40% hit to production) even though it has 2 million recruits waiting to be used. It is also building 65 artillery a day while having 5k of the latest model in stock. Meanwhile it has only 9 factories on Tanks while it is down 600 in it's deployed Panzers (and they only built 8 Pz Divisions!). They also researched both amphibious tank models while not having any division templates that use them. I do like the new logistics model though. No more mass armies in the African desert. Of course the British can't figure that out as they sit at 30% supply whithout trying to build any railroad from Alexandria towards Tobruck.
Quote from: bobarossa on December 18, 2021, 05:45:30 PM
Playing as Soviet Union and am 1 month into war with Germany. I have the new patch but not the DLC (only have Waking the Tiger and Man the Guns). I can confirm the AI still has no idea what it's doing.
What year did you start and are you using any mods? This sounds like behaviour from one of the previous beta patches that was fixed some time ago.
Quote from: Ian C on December 19, 2021, 05:25:32 AM
Quote from: bobarossa on December 18, 2021, 05:45:30 PM
Playing as Soviet Union and am 1 month into war with Germany. I have the new patch but not the DLC (only have Waking the Tiger and Man the Guns). I can confirm the AI still has no idea what it's doing.
What year did you start and are you using any mods? This sounds like behaviour from one of the previous beta patches that was fixed some time ago.
I did the 1936 start and the only mod I have is Black Ice and it is disabled. I've seen many stupid AI tricks when using mods but expected better from vanilla. Problem might be that they simply don't test the new patch very extensively with PC's that don't have the latest DLC installed.
Quote from: bobarossa on December 19, 2021, 11:08:41 AM
Quote from: Ian C on December 19, 2021, 05:25:32 AM
Quote from: bobarossa on December 18, 2021, 05:45:30 PM
Playing as Soviet Union and am 1 month into war with Germany. I have the new patch but not the DLC (only have Waking the Tiger and Man the Guns). I can confirm the AI still has no idea what it's doing.
What year did you start and are you using any mods? This sounds like behavior from one of the previous beta patches that was fixed some time ago.
...I've seen many stupid AI tricks when using mods but expected better from vanilla.
I've often peeked at HOI 4, despite already owning Darkest Hour. But I instead decided to jump into Paradox's Stellaris instead this year and bought the core modules plus some of the add-ons. It's interesting that there is an ongoing MAJOR AI update being done for Stellaris (see store.steampowered.com/news/app/281990/view/3102414008263628904 (http://store.steampowered.com/news/app/281990/view/3102414008263628904). Maybe a similar treatment could be done for HOI 4 to "catch up" the AI on using all the feature updates. I've always had deep respect for programmers that write excellent AI for games, and it's got to be frustrating to get it right only to have feature updates wreck it.
Quote from: bobarossa on December 19, 2021, 11:08:41 AMProblem might be that they simply don't test the new patch very extensively with PC's that don't have the latest DLC installed.
You may be right. I did a run using 'observer mode' where I let the game run itself (all AI) and checked the builds etc. for each nation. It looked ok. The AI was acting historically for all nations I checked, and China was building new railways in 1936 etc. Something might be screwy if you don't have all the DLC, in which case that's not good.
If anyone wants to try this, start a
non - Ironman non-modded game and open the console using "~" and type "observe". Run the game at top speed. Now you can view the game from any nation's perspective. Click the white binocular icon at the top of screen and click on any nation to view research, builds, construction etc. Apart from some odd ways the AI uses to form new army groups, it should appear to be ok. If it doesn't, then there may be an issue with the patch and various combinations of DLC.
Double posting.
I've ended up reinstalling this one to give it another chance since I'm in the mood for some casual grand strategying that isn't Crusader Kings.
Question for the groggies - do you guys make use of the Battle Plan system where you set up a front and allow the computer to control troop movement? Or do you ignore this and micromanage troops?
Quote from: al_infierno on March 06, 2022, 01:26:58 AM
I've ended up reinstalling this one to give it another chance since I'm in the mood for some casual grand strategying that isn't Crusader Kings.
Question for the groggies - do you guys make use of the Battle Plan system where you set up a front and allow the computer to control troop movement? Or do you ignore this and micromanage troops?
Been 6 or more months since I played. (main PC fried)
Always got frustrated with the AI shuffling troops up and down the line so only used battle plan to position then micr'd
That said I'd give the plans another chance as I see to be going through a phase of accepting losses to own side AI planning and execution. A sort of more commander approach seems to be giving more roleplay enjoyment at the mo' and give AI more chance.
I'd wager this though. Three essentials:
1. Mod
2. Use a mod
3. Use a mod like the expert AI or something that balances the game.
Battle plans give you significant combat modifiers if you let the troops sit for a while. Then I micro once battle begins.
Quote from: bobarossa on March 06, 2022, 03:03:17 PM
Battle plans give you significant combat modifiers if you let the troops sit for a while. Then I micro once battle begins.
Quote from: fabius on March 06, 2022, 07:47:33 AM
used battle plan to position then micr'd
Exactly this.
New version of Millennium Dawn mod is out and it looks incredible. This is a modern-day mod starting in 2000 or 2017. All modern politics, economics and weaponry. It looks complex but I'm going to try it.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2777392649
Tutorials here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G6lYnP0knI&list=PL36TqZI0G592x3sYphwPHuMvobA6si543
I haven't played in a while, but I used to do something very similar to what this guy posting on the Paradox forum does. There's still a fair bit of micro-management necessary to get it right but your guys can do maybe half the job on their own.
Quote- I assign a portion of the frontline to each infantry army (24 divs) and give each their own battle plan target. That's usually the whole frontline divided into 4 non-overlapping sections. The northern army attacks Leningrad, the two central ones the wider Moscow area and the southern one Stalingrad. Another mountaineer corps attacks the Crimea. All straight forward.
- Then I assign sections to my panzer armies which don't overlap each other, but are overlapping the infantry sections obviously. The panzer armies are for pincer movements and are stationed on the northern and southern flank. The northern army attacks Stalingrad and the southern one Leningrad (both first rush straight ahead, then swing around to create pockets).
This works quite well if you are willing to interfere manually as needed. I usually observe the a.i. carrying out the plan and pause once I see an opportunity for a manual encirclement. Then I grab a handful of adjacent troops and manually direct them for encirclements.
Also you can use it to move a group a long way. Set up a battle plan line and your guys will deploy in line when they get there. Then you can either set a new battle plan or micro away per your choice.
Downloaded the Millennium Dawn mod last night and spent a few minutes with it. Looks very cool. Definitely will spend some more time with it.
It's recommended to click the ? on each panel for info on how to do things. They've done an amazing job in converting HOI 4 into modern warfare strategy game.
Quote from: Ian C on March 16, 2022, 06:31:12 AM
It's recommended to click the ? on each panel for info on how to do things. They've done an amazing job in converting HOI 4 into modern warfare strategy game.
Yes thanks for the tip. I've been doing that intuitivly and am really impressed with the work that went into this mod. Millenium Dawn is satisfying an itch I've been having for months now. :)
Quote from: Ian C on March 14, 2022, 06:04:29 AM
New version of Millennium Dawn mod is out and it looks incredible. This is a modern-day mod starting in 2000 or 2017. All modern politics, economics and weaponry. It looks complex but I'm going to try it.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2777392649
Tutorials here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G6lYnP0knI&list=PL36TqZI0G592x3sYphwPHuMvobA6si543
Thanks for posting about this update. I played the old Millennium Dawn a bit. I'll be sure to check this one out, too.
Paradox released a dev diary today with the notice that they were working on for HOI4
We take great pride in our attention to gameplay telemetry that we receive from keen HOI4 players from across the globe, and our data wizards regularly furnish us with relevant information with which to steer development of features. After NSB, we were informed of a clear and scientific trend in the data:
That's right folks, it turns out that 99.5%* of you exclusively play monarchies. It was quite clear to us that we had a mandate to finally concede to public demand, and add the long-awaited Habsburg branch to the Generic focus tree!
*These results were verified by independent election officials.
Now, regardless of which nation you hold dear, you too can find and install a local member of the Habsburg dynasty, taking part in the restoration of everyone's favourite neighbourhood hegemony.
After discovering a stray member of the Habsburg dynasty, steer your nation to glory by choosing an appropriate spouse or accidentally inheriting some countries you weren't aware existed.
No Habsburg tree would be complete without an edifying array of royal marriage candidates, so we've included plenty of historically accurate examples:
Once you have secured the bloodline, you can, naturally, expand your sights to join your relatives in other countries in vying for the ultimate prize:
Ultimately we feel that this adds a great deal to the generic focus tree experience, importantly providing a thoughtful, plausible and historically inspired approach that you can enjoy with nations as far afield as you like.
After reading this a few times and wondering what the heck this was all about, I remembered it is April fools day....
In case anyone is interested, the latest Beta Update is out and while playing as Germany, the Soviet AI kicked my ass. The game has never done that before.