Austria-Hungary's Focus Tree: Hoi4's Unique Features Explored

Hearts of Iron IV (HOI4) is a grand strategy game developed by Paradox Development Studio. The Death or Dishonor expansion pack for HOI4 introduces a unique national focus tree for Hungary, which allows the player to change its political stance, industrialise and rearm. One of the focus tree's branches allows Hungary to end its regency and elect either a Democratic king (Carl V Wilhelm of Sweden), a Fascist king (Friedrich Franz of Mecklenburg-Schwerin of Germany), or a Non-Aligned Habsburg king (Otto von Habsburg of Austria) as their ruler.

If the player elects the Non-Aligned Habsburg king, they can then pursue the restoration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by reuniting with Austria and Czechoslovakia. This involves generating claims on lost lands in Yugoslavia, Romania, Poland, northern Italy, Germany, France and central Italy.

However, the process of forming Austria-Hungary through the Hungary focus tree is not straightforward and relies on certain conditions being met, such as having high relations with Austria and Czechoslovakia, completing certain focuses at the right time, and manipulating world tension.

The RNG of Austria-Hungary's focus tree

One of the key areas where RNG comes into play is the referendum with Austria. While players can increase the chances of a positive outcome by improving relations and applying diplomatic pressure, there is still a chance that Austria will refuse, leading to a war. This uncertainty adds a layer of challenge and strategic decision-making to the game.

Another RNG element is the focus "Protect Czechoslovakia", where players aim to annex or establish a puppet state in Czechoslovakia. The success of this action depends on several factors, including world tension, Czechoslovakia's faction status, and the timing of Germany's "Demand Sudetenland" focus. Players can increase their chances by improving relations and applying diplomatic pressure, but the outcome is not guaranteed.

Additionally, the "Reintegrate the Railroads" focus, which improves relations with Austria and Czechoslovakia, can increase the chances of a favourable outcome in the referendums. However, even with this focus, there is still an element of randomness in the results.

Overall, the RNG in Austria-Hungary's focus tree adds an element of unpredictability and requires players to adapt their strategies accordingly. While it may be frustrating at times, it also contributes to the game's complexity and encourages players to explore different approaches to achieve their desired outcomes.

How to unite Austria and Hungary

To unite Austria and Hungary in Hearts of Iron IV, players must follow the steps outlined in the Hungarian national focus tree, which is available with the Death or Dishonor DLC. The first step is to select the Strengthen the Monarchists sub-branch, which allows Hungary to end the regency and elect a Non-Aligned Habsburg king as their ruler. This will involve inviting the Habsburg Prince and modifying the Hungarian Monarchy to generate support for the Non-Aligned party.

Once the Non-Aligned Habsburg king is on the throne, players can begin the process of uniting Austria and Hungary. This involves demanding a referendum in Austria, which, if successful, will result in the peaceful joining of the two nations. If Austria declines the referendum, players will need to take military action by rushing Vienna and capturing Graz, Salzburg, and other key cities.

Players can increase their chances of a successful referendum by improving relations with Austria and Czechoslovakia, reintegrating the railroads, and increasing their troop presence along the borders. Additionally, coordinating the timing of the referendum with Germany's "Demand Sudetenland" focus can increase the chances of Czechoslovakia agreeing to annexation.

After uniting with Austria, players can continue to expand their influence by offering protection to Czechoslovakia and reclaiming historical provinces.

Strategies for playing as Austria-Hungary

Playing as Austria-Hungary in Hearts of Iron IV can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Here are some strategies to help you get started:

Expanding Your Influence:

• One of your primary goals should be to reform the Austro-Hungarian Empire by reuniting with Austria and Czechoslovakia. This can be achieved through diplomatic means or by force. Improving relations and applying diplomatic pressure can increase the chances of a peaceful unification.
• Focus on strengthening your industry, particularly in aircraft and motorized equipment production. This will be crucial for both your economy and military power.
• Take advantage of the "Reintegrate the Railroads" focus, which improves infrastructure and relations with Austria and Czechoslovakia, increasing the likelihood of a successful referendum for unification.
• Keep a close eye on Germany's actions. Time your moves carefully, especially regarding the Sudetenland. You may need to fortify your border and build up your air force to protect against German aggression.

Dealing with Germany:

• Germany can be a significant threat, especially if they align with Hungary and push for a fascist government. To counter this, consider disabling historical focuses or setting Germany to "Oppose Hitler" in the game rules.
• Alternatively, you can try to deprive Germany of its gains by quickly annexing Austria and Czechoslovakia early in the game. This denies them valuable resources and weakens their position.
• If Germany demands the Sudetenland, you have several options: fortify your border and build up your air force, temporarily give up the Sudetenland to avoid war, or refuse their demands and prepare for conflict.

War and Alliances:

• When it comes to war, timing is crucial. Pay attention to world tension and declare war when it's below 25% to avoid the Allies guaranteeing your targets.
• Yugoslavia and Romania are potential targets for expansion. Justify war goals against them, especially if you've claimed Transylvania, as this gives you a bonus to justifying war goals.
• Joining the Axis can provide support against the Allies, but be cautious as it may lead to conflict with the Soviet Union. Leaving the Axis before they declare war on the Soviets can help you avoid this conflict.
• Consider joining the Comintern instead, especially if you have a border with the Soviet Union. This can provide a powerful ally against Germany and the Allies.

Achievements:

• To achieve "Miklos Horthy and the Habsburg Prince," restore Austria-Hungary and have Miklos Horthy as a naval commander.
• For "Better Than Szent István," construct dockyards and build or acquire a battleship. You don't need to build it yourself; acquiring it through puppets or annexation also works.

The upcoming changes to Austria-Hungary's focus tree

The Austrian focus tree will have a monarchist, democratic, and communist route. The Hungarian focus tree will have a unique national focus tree as part of the Death or Dishonor expansion. Without the expansion, Hungary utilizes the Generic national focus tree. The Hungarian national focus tree can be divided into 3 branches and 6 sub-branches:

• Balanced Budget/Economic Intervention Branch: This branch allows Hungary to change its political stance.
• Strengthen the Monarchists Sub-branch: This branch allows Hungary to end the regency and elect either a Democratic king, a Fascist king, or a Non-Aligned Habsburg king as their ruler.
• Strengthen Fascists Sub-branch: This branch allows Hungary to become Fascist and create a Greater Hungary and either join the Axis or create their own faction with Italy.
• Council of People's Commissars Sub-branch: This branch allows Hungary to become Communist and join the Soviet Union and the Comintern.
• Industrial Revitalization Branch: This branch allows Hungary to develop its industry and unlock research slots. One of its sub-branches is connected to the Establish the Air-Force sub-branch.
• Secret Rearmament Branch: This branch allows Hungary to cast off the Treaty of Trianon and start researching military tech.

Hungary's military mostly consists of 14 Infantry divisions, 2 Cavalry divisions, and a small air force. However, all of these divisions are at less than half-strength, as Hungary has a mere 52 men in reserve at the start of the game.

The potential for an Austria-Hungary shared focus tree

The upcoming release of new German, Austrian, and Hungarian focus trees has sparked excitement among players, with the potential for a shared focus tree between Austria and Hungary. This could provide an alternative path to unification through conquest and potentially include mechanics for balancing power between the two nations. Additionally, players have suggested improvements to the focus tree, such as reducing the RNG factor in the Austrian referendum and adding civil war mechanics for Czechoslovakia.

The shared focus tree could offer a more dynamic and engaging experience for players aiming to restore the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It would allow for the exploration of alternate history paths, diplomatic alliances, and the management of internal politics between Austria and Hungary. The inclusion of shared focuses, events, and decisions could enhance the gameplay and provide a more immersive experience.

Moreover, the shared focus tree could introduce new challenges and strategic considerations. Players would need to carefully navigate the complex relationships between the two nations, balancing their powers and interests while also dealing with external threats and opportunities. The tree could also incorporate historical events and decisions that shaped the relationship between Austria and Hungary, such as the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the subsequent outbreak of World War I.

Overall, the potential for an Austria-Hungary shared focus tree in Hearts of Iron IV is exciting, and it has the potential to offer players a unique and engaging experience. By providing options for unification, shared focuses, and the exploration of alternate history paths, the tree could become a popular choice for players interested in the complex dynamics of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

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