
Hearts of Iron IV is a grand strategy game by Paradox Development Studio that allows players to engage in alternate history, fantasy, and sci-fi scenarios. One such scenario involves reforming Austria-Hungary, which can be achieved through various means such as going to war with the Axis powers, building medium tanks and motorised divisions, or exploiting the Sudetenland dispute between Germany and Czechoslovakia to one's advantage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries to invade | British Isles, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Italy |
| Countries to go to war with | Axis |
| Countries to join | Germany, Axis |
| Countries to avoid war with | Germany, France |
| Countries to avoid attacking | Romania, Czechoslovakia |
| Countries to get before WW2 | Austria |
| Countries to get without war | Austria, Czech, Transylvania |
| Countries to get by war | Yugoslavia |
| Countries to declare war on | Italy |
| Countries Germany will not attack | Czechoslovakia |
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What You'll Learn

Attack Romania and Czechoslovakia
When attacking Romania and Czechoslovakia in Hearts of Iron IV, there are a few strategies you can employ. One player built forts on the Italian border to hold them off during Barbarossa while attacking Germany. This strategy assumes Germany has already annexed parts of Czechoslovakia.
Another strategy is to build medium tanks, as AI can't do much against them. You can also mix in some motorized and light SPG divisions. If you attack, Yugoslavia usually joins the Allies, while Hungary and Romania typically join the Axis, so you may want to get as much as you can before World War II starts. You can get Austria in time, but justifying against anyone else may lead to guarantees.
If you are playing as Hungary, you can restore Austria-Hungary without war by taking Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Transylvania. Then, you can take Yugoslavia by force. If you want to go all-in, you can turn fascist, join the Axis, and declare war on Italy, which will cause the Allies to declare war on you, but you will have Germany's support.
The Romanian focus "Split Czechoslovakia" can also be used to your advantage. In one game, it gave the player and Germany a war goal, but in another, it only gave claims. This focus makes Slovakia your puppet if Germany agrees. You can also wait until Germany takes the focus for a bit of Czech territory and then do the Split Czech focus yourself.
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Go to war with the Axis
When playing as Austria-Hungary in Hearts of Iron IV, going to war with the Axis can be a challenging but viable strategy. Here are some tips and strategies to consider:
Joining the Axis Powers
Joining the Axis powers early on can provide several advantages. One way to achieve this is by declaring war on Poland simultaneously with Germany or by going down the fascist route. Refusing Germany's demand for Sudetenland can also trigger a war and potentially lead to an invitation to join the Axis. Alternatively, you can invade Germany first, taking advantage of their disarray if you've annexed Austria peacefully, but this requires a strong Austro-Hungarian military.
Military Strategies
Focus on building up your infantry by disbanding the air force and cavalry units to free up manpower. Hire an infantry expert to add artillery and support companies. You can also concentrate your military factories on producing infantry equipment and then shift to artillery once your infantry is fully equipped. Additionally, consider building medium tanks as AI struggles to counter them effectively.
Forming Austria-Hungary
To form Austria-Hungary, you can elect Otto von Habsburg as your ruler, demand a referendum for unification with Austria, and then either peacefully unify or go to war. Capturing Vienna and Salzburg quickly can lead to a swift annexation before Germany's Anschluss. Proclaiming the restoration of Austria-Hungary will keep your capital in Budapest.
Strategic Alliances
Consider forming strategic alliances to counter the Axis powers. This could involve improving relations with Czechoslovakia and protecting them from German demands. You can also work with Germany to defeat the Allies and Comintern, gaining territory in France and the USSR. However, be cautious and avoid letting Germany push too deeply into Russia, as you will want to maintain a potential advantage against them in the future.
Achievements
When playing as Hungary, you can aim for achievements such as "Miklos Horthy and the Habsburg Prince" and "Better than the Szent István." To achieve the former, follow the Balanced Budget branch and elect Otto von Habsburg to the Habsburg throne, then demand a referendum for unification with Austria.
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Invade the British Isles
Successfully invading the British Isles in Hearts of Iron IV is no easy feat, as players will agree that Britain's formidable navy and substantial air force present a significant challenge. However, with careful planning and execution, it is possible to overcome these obstacles and achieve victory. Here is a strategy guide to help you in your quest to invade the British Isles:
First and foremost, ensure that you have a strong air force and navy by the time war breaks out in 1939. Focus on amassing at least four thousand planes, consisting of a mix of fighters for air superiority, close air support, and naval bombers to decimate the British and French navies. A robust air force will be crucial in establishing air superiority, which is necessary for a successful invasion.
When it comes to your navy, the approach will depend on whether you play as Germany or Italy, the two major European Axis nations. If you opt for Germany, it will be challenging to match the surface capabilities of the British and French fleets. Instead, prioritize submarines and convoys. Aim for at least one hundred and fifty submarines, and utilize a high number of convoys to ensure the invasion proceeds as planned. Choosing the 'Oppose Hitler' path will allow for naval reconstruction as one of the national focuses. Additionally, adopting the 'Trade Interdiction' naval doctrine will enhance the effectiveness of your submarines in convoy raiding and against the British.
Before invading, refrain from positioning your navy in the English Channel or North Sea. Instead, wait until your naval bombers have inflicted significant damage on the Allied vessels. To safeguard against potential naval invasions by Britain or Free France, consider establishing a garrison across your ports using cost-effective division templates to conserve equipment and manpower.
When the time comes for the invasion, ensure you have both naval and air superiority to increase your chances of success. It is advisable to have two invasion plans: one targeting the south of England, such as Portsmouth, and the other focused on the southwest region, like Kent. Once you've invaded, act swiftly and reinforce the beachhead with additional troops.
In summary, a well-coordinated strategy involving a strong air force, a capable navy, and swift reinforcement of invaded territories will put you on the path to conquering the British Isles in Hearts of Iron IV.
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Take Austria by force
Taking Austria by force as Hungary is a viable strategy in Hearts of Iron IV. This strategy can be employed by going down the fascist route, which will immediately abolish the treaty on disarmament. As Hungary has a stronger army than Austria, this can be a successful strategy.
One way to do this is to first get the Bled agreement, then focus on infrastructure to increase relations with Austria and Czechoslovakia. You can then beeline the Habsburg tree until "Protect the Czechs". When you're at 50% of the referendum NF, boost relations with Austria, and when you begin Protect the Czechs NF, boost relations with Czechoslovakia. Both should accept to be fully annexed.
Another strategy is to first get as much land as possible before World War 2 starts, as justifying on anyone else tends to lead to guarantees. You can get Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Transylvania without war, then take Yugoslavia by force. If you want to go all-in, turn fascist, join the Axis, and declare war on Italy, which will cause the Allies to declare war on you, and have Germany help you.
Alternatively, you can try to get Czechoslovakia to agree to be annexed, and if Germany asks for Sudetenland, you can agree and they'll leave you alone. You can then wait for them to go to war with the Allies, justify a "Retake Claimed State" wargoal, and then divide them from the south.
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Hold out until Germany declares war on the Allies
If you want to reform Austria-Hungary in Hearts of Iron IV, there are a few strategies you can employ. One option is to hold out until Germany declares war on the Allies. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
Firstly, focus on fortifying your borders, especially in the mid-to-late 1930s. This will help you strengthen your defences and establish a strong position before any potential conflict.
Another crucial aspect is to pay attention to Czechoslovakia. If they agree to be annexed by you and Germany demands Sudetenland, you can agree to their demands temporarily. This will buy you some time as Germany will leave you alone afterwards. However, if Czechoslovakia only agrees to become a puppet, it is advisable to refuse their demands. If you accept, you might find yourself in a situation where other powers carve up Czechoslovakia, leaving you with only Southern Slovakia.
Additionally, consider the benefits of going down the fascist route. After completing the "Protect Czech" focus, you can flip to fascist. This will deter Germany from attacking you. However, keep in mind that going fascist will also limit your ability to puppet other nations.
By following these strategies, you can improve your chances of holding out until Germany declares war on the Allies, which can be a crucial step in reforming Austria-Hungary in Hearts of Iron IV.
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Frequently asked questions
You need to go to war with the Axis. You can build forts on the Italian border to hold them off during Barbarossa while you attack Germany.
You can restore Austria-Hungary while playing as Hungary. You can get Austria, Czech and Transylvania without war, then take Yugoslavia by war. You can also turn fascist, join the Axis, and declare war on Italy.
You can become the Austrian-Hungarian Empire by going down a certain chain of National Focus options. First, complete the "Protect Czech focus", then flip to fascist so Germany won't attack you. Alternatively, you can just hold out until Germany declares war on the Allies.
Make CAS, fighters, and paratroopers to invade the British Isles. You can also build medium tanks as AI can't do much against them.

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