Over 2,500 Likes! Why? Many New Players to HOI4 come here, frustrated with videos rushing through & clicking and not explaining stuff... Sure this one's gonna take you 3.5 hours, but afterwards YOU'LL GET IT. (see comments) - So go grab a drink, and hit play!

A COMPLETE guide for new players to HOI4 - When I was new to the game in 2019, I found it difficult because the user interface & game mechanics are like nothing I've ever played before. To help improve things for new players, I've made the best beginners guide here. It covers all the things I wish someone told me when I was learning how to play. Includes changes upto 2023.

2024 UPDATE! New Tutorials (More In Depth Topics) - Read on:

Amazed how many people this video helped, In 2024 I made a Comprehensive Beginners Guide to HOI4 - The Playlist contains many episodes. This enables me to cover Hearts of Iron in more detail than I otherwise could. It serves as a 1 stop shop for new players, who can choose to follow along - I provide access to all SaveGames after each episode, to keep us all on-course together.

While a comprehensive video playlist may not be for everyone, for complete beginners who want something extra, in a laid back style, that covers EVERYTHING - click here:
   • HOI4 Guide - Beginners Tutorial (2024...  

Games with Brains - Other Good HOI4 Tutorials:
https://youtube.com/live/KRqKwIB8OJc | Hearts of Iron 4 Tutorial for Beginners (this video)
https://youtube.com/live/QlolPZQhQow | HOI4 - First Invasion Tutorial
https://youtube.com/live/9pZrJw86Xnw | HOI4 - Controlling Armies, Navies & Air Force Tutorial

Contents:
0:00 Hearts of Iron 4 Complete Beginner Tutorial
1:00 HOI4 turn DLC off to Follow This Guide for Beginners
2:21 New Game Ironman Mode Explained
3:55 Understanding Modifiers
7:47 Hearts of Iron Main Interface
8:52 Divisions, Armies & Army Groups
9:05 Selecting an Entire Division
9:22 Battalions Inside Divisions
11:50 Selecting & Moving Divisions
12:50 Template Designer - Piercing vs Attack
16:44 Creating Your First Army Using Divisions
18:20 Adding Generals to Command an Army
20:42 Adding Panzers to an Armoured Division
21:34 Viewing Equipment Needed for Any Division
23:49 Adding Infantry Divisions to an Existing Army
24:10 Using a General & His Army to Make a Front Line
29:22 Adding Generals & Armies to Army Groups
30:15 Assigning a Field Marshall to Command Army Group
31:14 Deleting Orders Assigned to Divisions
31:48 Issuing Orders to Field Marshalls
33:52 Planning Attacks with Field Marshal Army Groups
35:54 Research - Notifications and Technology
39:34 Technology Research Tree in Detail
46:09 Civilian Factories & Military Factories Info
47:44 Trading & Resources & Factories FULLY EXPLORED
51:25 Resources - Excess vs Shortages
52:09 Exporting Resources - How & Where?
52:20 Factories Treated Like Money in HOI4
55:03 All Supplies Come From & Stored In Capital
56:33 Where Does My Excess Rubber Go?
57:05 Setting Military Factories to Build Stuff
58:09 Construction Menu to Build on Map
1:00:46 How to Build Tanks and Planes
1:01:35 How to Use Dock Yards to Build Navy
1:06:15 Exploring National Focuses
1:07:42 Views - Army Navy Air Supply
1:07:59 The Navy Basics - Flotillas
1:09:37 Setting up Navy Patrols
1:11:33 Navy Veterancy & Training
1:13:33 Recruit & Training New Divisions
1:17:34 Unassigned Divisions - Generals
1:19:03 The Generals & Improving Traits
1:20:00 BRB - Quick Break!
1:20:35 Generals, Divisions, Groups, Orders
1:25:02 Events & Decisions - Getting Free Stuff
1:25:45 Political Power, Advisors & Laws
1:28:02 The Air Force - How to use Planes?
1:35:50 Hiring a Military Theorist
1:37:07 Dockyards Available! Building New Ships
1:38:30 Armies & Divisions with NO orders
1:38:48 Defending an Area with Divisions
1:40:07 Training Divisions for Army XP
1:42:24 Modifying the Government (Political Power)
1:43:14 Use Space to Pause
1:43:32 Closer Look at National Focus Tree
1:46:12 What's Industrial Concern?
1:47:14 1st Research Completes - MORE!
1:48:43 Why Does Radio Matter in HOI4?
1:49:30 Building & Storing Equipment
1:51:27 Aircraft Training Completed
1:52:37 Sending New Divisions to Generals
1:53:06 Advanced Naval Order Functions
1:57:16 Getting an Extra Research Slot
1:58:10 Research Bonuses! Bigger Time Better Bonus!
1:59:30 Hiring Advisors to Build Stuff Quicker
1:59:49 The Military Officers Corps (I say chaps!)
2:02:47 Italy being Italy over in Africa
2:07:10 Recruiting New Air Squadrons
2:10:19 Building Navy, Ships & Dockyards
2:18:42 Infrastructure Upgrades Matter
2:22:14 Surface Flotilla Training
2:26:47 An Extra Research Slot!
2:29:38 Long Range Bombing
2:32:48 Spanish Civil War Begins
2:34:04 Controlling Panzer Tanks in Battle
2:41:10 Low Supply & Combat Supplies
2:49:33 Combining Germany & Austria
2:54:54 Extra Combat Stats - Field Marshal
2:57:39 Division Designer & Editor
3:12:34 Navy Chief & Messerschmitt
3:25:10 Want More? See 2024 Playlist in Description
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