
Hearts of Iron IV is a grand strategy game that allows players to engage in complex diplomatic and military scenarios. One such scenario involves attempting to get Austria to accept a referendum. While some players have reported success by improving relations and re-arming before making the offer, others have suggested that historical AI settings and other factors may also influence Austria's decision-making. Additionally, completing the Reintegrate the Railroads focus on Hungary's industrial tree can increase Austria's approval of Hungary, potentially impacting the chances of a successful referendum.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Improve relations | High relations with Austria and Czechoslovakia |
| Troops | Park troops on their borders |
| Historical AI | On |
| Non-Aligned Support | Boost non-aligned ideology in Austria and Czechoslovakia |
| Focus | Focus with railways |
| Party popularity | Boost party popularity |
| Ironman mode | May affect Austria's decision |
| Historical focuses | Bled agreement, infrastructure, Habsburg tree |
| Opinion boost | In excess of 75 |
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What You'll Learn

Improving relations with Austria
Firstly, focus on boosting your relations with Austria right from the start of the game. This can involve completing certain focuses, such as the Bled Agreement and infrastructure focuses, which can increase relations with Austria. Improving relations with Austria before making any offers is a reliable method to increase the chances of them accepting the referendum.
Another strategy is to work on boosting non-aligned ideology in Austria. This can be done by completing the focus with railways, as this boosts the chance of Austria accepting the referendum. Additionally, having troops on their borders and historical AI on can also increase the likelihood of acceptance.
It is also beneficial to complete the "Reintegrate the Railroads" focus on the Hungarian industrial tree, as this not only makes Austria more likely to accept but also improves relations with Czechoslovakia, which can be useful for future expansion.
Furthermore, improving relations and re-arming before making any offers can also increase the chances of acceptance. This strategy has worked for many players, even with historical AI off.
Finally, some players suggest that manually micro-managing your troops and positioning them effectively can also increase the chances of Austria accepting the referendum. This involves moving your troops onto tiles and strategically choosing where to pin down the enemy and where to advance or retreat.
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Completing the Re-integrate the railroads focus
To get Austria to accept the referendum in Hearts of Iron 4, it is essential to complete the "Re-integrate the railroads" focus. This focus can significantly increase the chances of a successful referendum, making it a crucial step in the process. Here is a detailed guide on completing this focus and maximizing your chances of a positive outcome:
First, it is important to understand the prerequisites for this strategy. The "Re-integrate the railroads" focus is part of the industry focus tree in Hearts of Iron 4. Before attempting this strategy, ensure that you have already completed the "Return of the Habsburg King" focus, as this provides an opinion boost that will be beneficial for your relations with Austria. Additionally, having some influence stored up can be advantageous.
Now, let's delve into the steps for completing the "Re-integrate the railroads" focus:
- Rush the Bled Agreement focus: This is a crucial first step as it allows you to increase your population's soldier ratio and improve your Economy Laws. It is one of the initial national focuses you should select as the future Austria-Hungary.
- Complete Secret Rearmament and War Games focuses: These focuses will strengthen your military capabilities and are important precursors to the "Re-integrate the railroads" focus.
- Change your Economy Law to Partial Mobilization: After finishing the aforementioned focuses, utilize your Political Power to change your Economy Law. This will provide a boost to your military preparedness.
- Rush the "Demand a Referendum" focus: Once the Bled Agreement focus is completed, swiftly move towards the "Demand a Referendum" focus. This will increase your chances of annexing Austria close to 1938, and you may also have an opportunity to turn your attention to Czechoslovakia.
- Improve relations with Austria: While working towards the "Demand a Referendum" focus, it is imperative to boost your relations with Austria. Ensure that you have at least a +75 relationship with them. This, combined with completing the "Re-integrate the railroads" focus, will give you a 95% chance of a successful annexation.
- Timing considerations: It is worth noting that completing the "Re-integrate the railroads" focus early in the game may not be the most efficient strategy. Even in Ironman Mode, it might be preferable to take the 70% chance without investing significant time and resources. However, if you are seeking a guaranteed victory, you can refrain from selecting any focus after the "Invite the Habsburg Prince" focus and wait for 10 days to pass before initiating the referendum.
By following these steps and completing the "Re-integrate the railroads" focus, you will significantly enhance your chances of Austria accepting the referendum in Hearts of Iron 4. Remember that you can always restart the game or defeat Austria in war if your attempts are unsuccessful.
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Boosting non-aligned ideology in Austria
To boost non-aligned ideology in Austria and get them to accept a referendum in Hearts of Iron IV, there are several strategies you can employ. Firstly, ensure that you have high relations with Austria and park your troops on their borders. This has proven to be an effective strategy for many players.
Additionally, focus on boosting non-aligned support in Austria by utilizing the focus with railways, as this has been known to increase the chances of Austria accepting the referendum. It is also beneficial to boost party popularity and improve relations right from the start of the game.
Another strategy is to rush the focus tree until you reach the "Return of the Habsburg King," and then go for the Railroad focus, which is the second focus in industry. This will provide an opinion boost, and with some influence, you can achieve 100 relations and increase the likelihood of a successful referendum.
Keep in mind that the term "Non-Aligned" is quite vague and can encompass various political ideologies that do not fall into the categories of democracy, conservatism, liberalism, socialism, or populism.
Lastly, while not directly related to boosting non-aligned ideology, some players have suggested that declaring war on Austria-Hungary and then puppeting or annexing Czechoslovakia can be a safer alternative to the referendum process.
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Bordering Austria with troops
To get Austria to accept the referendum in Hearts of Iron IV, one strategy is to border the country with troops. This can be done in conjunction with improving relations with Austria and ensuring that historical AI is on.
Austria is a small, landlocked country in Central Europe, with Germany to its north, Switzerland to its west, Italy and Yugoslavia to its south, and Hungary to its east. It is a mountainous country, which provides good defensive bonuses. However, it is also sandwiched between two strong fascist countries, Germany and Italy, and Germany is particularly aggressive in its desire to claim Austrian land. As a result, Austria is a difficult nation to play, and it is almost impossible to reform Austria-Hungary peacefully.
To prepare for the German invasion, which usually occurs around 1937-1938, it is important to focus on building up your military strength. This can include increasing your number of divisions, such as infantry, mountain infantry, and cavalry, as well as acquiring more advanced units like paratroopers and improving your air force. In addition, you can work on improving relations with Austria and boosting non-aligned ideology in the country.
By bordering Austria with troops, you can increase the pressure on the country and make it more likely to accept the referendum. This strategy has been successful for some players, who report that having troops on the border, in combination with improving relations, has resulted in Austria accepting the referendum.
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Historical AI on setting
To get Austria to accept the referendum in Hearts of Iron IV, it is recommended to have the historical AI setting turned on. This, coupled with good relations and troops stationed at the Austrian border, seems to guarantee success.
Improving relations with Austria is the most consistent method to ensure Austria accepts the referendum. This can be done by boosting party popularity and improving relations right at the start of the game. It is also beneficial to complete the "Re-integrate the railroads" focus, which makes Austria more likely to accept. Additionally, the "Bled Agreement" and "infrastructure" focuses can be used to increase relations with Austria.
Another strategy is to rush the tree until the "Return of the Habsburg King" and then go for the "Railroad" focus. This boosts relations and can lead to a successful referendum.
It is also suggested to boost non-aligned ideology in Austria and Czechoslovakia, as well as increase the number of troops, as the AI decision-making often depends on the bordering strength of the other side.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few methods that have proven successful for players. One is to improve relations with Austria and re-arming before making the offer. Another is to boost non-aligned ideology in Austria and Czechoslovakia, as well as completing the focus with railways. Players have also had success by first getting the Bled agreement, then infrastructure, and then beelining the Habsburg tree until "Protect the Czechs". When you boost relations with Austria depends on the percentage of the referendum NF completed.
Some players have had success by improving relations and standing in Vienna at bayonet point. Others have tried paradropping them or declaring war on them, which allows you to go to partial mobilisation and up your conscription law.
Players recommend saving prior to taking the focus so that you can "skip" back to the past and try again. You can also boost party popularity right at the start of the game.
Some players have noted that the AI decision-making in many cases depends on the other side's bordering strength. Others have suggested that the likelihood of Austria accepting is hard-coded in the game.
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