Conquering Austria As Hungary: Strategies For Success

Hearts of Iron IV is a complex strategy game, and playing as Hungary can be challenging due to its weak production, poor economy, and limited manpower. However, with the right strategies, it is possible to beat Austria and form Austria-Hungary. One approach is to focus on early game unification with Austria, which can be achieved peacefully or through war. Improving relations with Czechoslovakia and Romania is crucial, as it grants access to their resources and strengthens your position against Germany. Going down the fascist route, flipping to a fascist government after completing the Protect Czech focus, can deter a German attack. Alternatively, a non-fascist strategy involves holding out until Germany declares war on the Allies, utilizing the mountain terrain in Austria and Czech forts to your advantage. To beat Austria specifically, players suggest simply creating a frontline aimed at capturing Vienna, taking advantage of Hungary's stronger position.

Flip to fascism to prevent German attack

Playing as Hungary in Hearts of Iron IV (HOI4) can be challenging, as Germany often takes the demand Sudetenland route in 1938, leading to a war that Hungary cannot win. However, there is a strategy that can be employed to flip to fascism and prevent a German attack.

The first step is to complete the "Protect Czech" focus. This will allow you to flip to fascism without triggering an attack from Germany. As a fascist, you will be able to puppet other nations, which can be advantageous. Additionally, you will gain access to German tech, providing a 30% research boost.

After flipping to fascism, you should focus on building your army and conquering Austria and Czechoslovakia. Completing the Secret Rearmament and War Games focuses will allow you to change your Economy Law to Partial Mobilization. The Bled Agreement focus is also crucial, as it will grant you the Volunteer Only Conscription Law.

It is important to act quickly and rush the "Demand a Referendum" focus down the Balanced Budget focus tree. This will allow you to annex Austria by 1938 and potentially gain control of Czechoslovakia as well. Hungary has weak production in HOI4, so it is advisable to focus on producing Infantry Equipment and Support Equipment, utilizing the base Cavalry template.

By following these steps, you can flip to fascism as Hungary, avoid a German attack, and strengthen your position in HOI4.

Hold out until Germany declares war on Allies

When playing as Hungary in Hearts of Iron IV (HOI4), you can attempt to form Austria-Hungary by going down a certain chain of National Focus options. One option is to go down the fascist route, which will prevent an attack from Germany. Another option is to hold out until Germany declares war on the Allies, utilising the mountain terrain in Austria and Czech forts to your advantage. This strategy can be effective in helping you hold out against Germany and Italy.

To implement this strategy, there are several key steps you should follow. Firstly, focus on completing the "Protect Czech" focus and flipping to fascism. This will prevent Germany from attacking you. Secondly, work on strengthening your position by completing the "Secret Rearmament" and "War Games" focuses. This will allow you to change your Economy Law to Partial Mobilization, which is crucial for building your military might.

In addition, take advantage of the mountain terrain in Austria and the Czech forts to your defence. These geographical features can provide a significant advantage in holding out against Germany and Italy. Make sure to also prioritise producing Infantry Equipment and Support Equipment, as Hungary has incredibly weak production capabilities in HOI4.

While implementing this strategy, be mindful of the timing. It is important to act swiftly, as Hungary starts in a challenging position with various debuffs from World War I. Additionally, Germany is preparing the Anschluss, so you have a limited time frame to form Austria-Hungary. Aim to reach 1940 without starting a war with Germany, as this will allow you to build a powerful Cavalry template that can aid in your conquests.

Demand a referendum to annex Austria

When playing as Hungary and reforming Austria-Hungary, you may be unsure whether to demand a referendum or to take Austria by force. While taking Austria by force will abolish the Treaty of Trianon, demanding a referendum will allow you to gain their divisions without losing equipment or men.

To ensure that the referendum passes, you must first negotiate the Bled Agreement and change your military policy to at least "only volunteers". Additionally, you must have good relations with Austria, so they perceive Hungary as a friendly and resurgent power, making the revival of Austria-Hungary seem appealing. Improving relations with Austria and integrating the railroads can increase the chances of a successful referendum.

Completing the "Secret Rearmament" and "War Games" focuses will allow you to change your Economy Law to Partial Mobilization. Once you finish the Bled Agreement focus, Romania will typically permit you to remilitarize, but be aware that Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia may protest. After these steps, you must rush the "Demand Referendum" focus down the Balanced Budget focus tree. This strategy should enable you to annex Austria around 1938 and give you the opportunity to also target Czechoslovakia.

However, it is important to note that some players have reported difficulties in passing the referendum, even with good relations and integrated railroads. In such cases, you may need to restart or go back to a previous save. Alternatively, you can simply take Austria by force, as their small army makes this a relatively easy option.

Focus on infantry and support equipment

To beat Austria as Hungary in Hearts of Iron IV (HOI4), it is crucial to focus on rebuilding your army and enhancing your military capabilities. Hungary starts with significant disadvantages, including weak production capabilities, limited construction speed for military factories, and a small air force.

To address these challenges, the first step is to prioritize building Infantry Equipment and Support Equipment. Given the limited construction speed of Military Factories, it is advisable to start by building Civilian Factories, which will provide the necessary infrastructure to support your military efforts. Once you have established a solid foundation of Civilian Factories, you can allocate resources to upgrade your railway network, improving transportation and logistics for your troops and equipment.

As you develop your Civilian Factory production, gradually expand your military capabilities. This includes focusing on producing Infantry Equipment, which will form the backbone of your ground forces. Hungary's military composition primarily consists of infantry divisions, so ensuring they are well-equipped is essential. Additionally, consider disbanding the air force and cavalry units to free up manpower and resources for the infantry, further strengthening your ground forces.

While building up your infantry, it is crucial to hire an infantry expert. This expert can add valuable army experience and enable you to incorporate artillery and other support companies into your infantry divisions, increasing their effectiveness in combat. Once your infantry equipment needs are met, shift your focus to producing artillery to further enhance your military might.

By concentrating your efforts on infantry and support equipment, while making strategic decisions about resource allocation and military composition, you can work towards overcoming Austria and achieving your objectives in Hearts of Iron IV. Remember to adapt your tactics based on the evolving circumstances and leverage the expertise of advisors and infantry specialists to maximize your chances of success.

Change economy law to partial mobilisation

When playing as Hungary in Hearts of Iron IV (HOI4), you can form Austria-Hungary and work towards defeating Germany. One key aspect to consider is your economy law, and changing it to partial mobilisation can provide significant benefits.

Partial mobilisation, also referred to as partial economic mobilisation, is an economic law in HOI4 that allows you to balance your nation's civilian and military needs. It enables you to allocate a portion of your resources towards military efforts while still maintaining some focus on civilian industries. This can be a crucial step in preparing for war without neglecting the development of your country.

To effectively utilise partial mobilisation, you should first complete the Secret Rearmament and War Games focuses. These provide the necessary groundwork to strengthen your military capabilities and position yourself for expansion. Once you've done this, you can use all your Political Power to change your Economy Law to Partial Mobilisation. This change will allow you to start building an army and conquering neighbouring nations, such as Austria and Czechoslovakia.

It's worth noting that Hungary has weak production capabilities in HOI4, so you should prioritise producing Infantry Equipment and Support Equipment. Additionally, you can take advantage of the mountain terrain in Austria and the Czech forts to hold out against potential attackers, such as Germany and Italy. By combining partial mobilisation with strategic focus selections and military preparations, you'll be well on your way to establishing a strong Austria-Hungary in the game.

Remember, the path to forming Austria-Hungary can be straightforward, but it requires quick and efficient decision-making. Make sure to keep an eye on Germany's movements and act before they initiate the Anschluss. With careful planning and utilisation of the partial mobilisation economic law, you'll be able to strengthen your military might and secure your position in the heart of Europe.

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