Play Canada If You like Historical Play

[Hussar]

I play HOI4 solitaire as a historical gamer ... rarely breaking from historical paths. This includes building divisions according to each nations actual TO&E (Have tons of military books).

Anyway, for years I've been playing majors. I recently played as Canada. It has been the MOST rewarding game I have ever played. It has breathed even more life into this game for me.

Canada is a small nation with very little industrial capacity. However, during WW2, they were a participant. And I found EXTREME satisfaction playing my "small part" in the bigger war. My 6 divisions were in Africa fighting for God and King. I was only able to field 1 CS and 1 FTR for support. We were doing our part in the bigger war ... helping when we could. We eventually broke the back of the Itals in Africa, but we had to sit out and refit because our military factories couldn't keep up. It was glorious!

It was a totally different gaming experience. I will do the same with Australia, NZ, and South Africa next and play them historically ... to see what part I can get them to play in the war.

To all historical solitaire gamers, I highly recommend you give these smaller nations a try.

[wildlifeluvr]

"I recently played as Canada. It has been the MOST rewarding game I have ever played."

That is nice to hear. I like to hear about players trying different things and being rewarded with fun play.

I have 1,606 hours into HOI IV and I have never played historical. I suppose I have always liked the idea of random events. Regardless, your fun experience has given me the incentive to try some historical play.

[amcewen2]

I still think it’s fairly random when when Italy invades Iceland under historical ai. I did enjoy using Canada as an avenue to learn the game mechanics though.

[Hussar]

Originally posted by wildlifeluvr:

I have 1,606 hours into HOI IV and I have never played historical. I suppose I have always liked the idea of random events. Regardless, your fun experience has given me the incentive to try some historical play.

I have played ahistorical at times (but having the US turn fascist is also science fiction fantasy).

When I do play the historical path, I try to stay true that country's political and military agenda. However, I do need to react to the fortunes of war (such as Italy invading Norway (bogus and poor AI programming, btw).

Just an update to my game, I had a MAJOR disaster. I put my entire fleet (7 destroyers) on a mission, and they got obliterated. It sucked, but it made me appreciate the risks for my poor little Canada. It was excruciating as my little electronic soldiers perished in the North Sea!
LOVE IT!!!

[Griefmaker]

You should try New Zealand you can get a max of 6 research slots plus oil and steel production through the national focus tree. You need the Together for Victory DLC though.

[Cream Corn Lover]

Canada had historically a huge impact on ww2

[Hussar]

Originally posted by Average Priest:

Canada had historically a huge impact on ww2

And in fact, my small little army did (although "huge" imo is historically an overstatement). We were key in the Battle for North Africa, pinning down the Itals and allowing the Brits and Yanks to invade elsewhere. That was so satisfying.

However, losing my ENTIRE navy (7 DDs) was a daggere right into my heart. Ultimate depression! lmao.

[Hussar]

Originally posted by Griefmaker:

You should try New Zealand you can get a max of 6 research slots plus oil and steel production through the national focus tree. You need the Together for Victory DLC though.

Yes, looking forward to playing them ... I think though Australia is next. Looking forward to slug it out in New Guinea along the Kokoda Trail!

[DerRitter]

eh

[eoozy]

Meh, Canada is kinda boring even in hardcore mods, you have no threats really since ur in the americas, most you'll lose is some units but you'll win the war in historical mode anyway.
Basically no risk and AI is easy to push out of africa.

If you play non historical thats a different case, if you also decide to play other minors like that, I suggest playing the Total War, World Ablaze mods if you want to make it somewhat challenging (was hard to even push in africa for a while)

[Zorlond]

There's definitely an appeal to being a smaller power in a large conflict. You're not expected to carry the brunt of the war, to be active on every front all the time. You can just take your small military and focus on precision strikes here and there, with all your attention on just one corner of the map. Much more relaxing than being Germany trying to grind Russia into submission.

[|H|H| Fr3ddi3]

Originally posted by eoozy:

Meh, Canada is kinda boring even in hardcore mods, you have no threats really since ur in the americas, most you'll lose is some units but you'll win the war in historical mode anyway.
Basically no risk and AI is easy to push out of africa.

If you play non historical thats a different case, if you also decide to play other minors like that, I suggest playing the Total War, World Ablaze mods if you want to make it somewhat challenging (was hard to even push in africa for a while)

Canada can be a nice historical country to play for the exact reason you say it is not.

Not everyone wants to manage the whole war, Horses for courses at the end of the day.

[eoozy]

Originally posted by |H|H| Fr3ddi3:

Originally posted by eoozy:

Meh, Canada is kinda boring even in hardcore mods, you have no threats really since ur in the americas, most you'll lose is some units but you'll win the war in historical mode anyway.
Basically no risk and AI is easy to push out of africa.

If you play non historical thats a different case, if you also decide to play other minors like that, I suggest playing the Total War, World Ablaze mods if you want to make it somewhat challenging (was hard to even push in africa for a while)

Canada can be a nice historical country to play for the exact reason you say it is not.

Not everyone wants to manage the whole war, Horses for courses at the end of the day.

Ok I agree with one thing, it's nice to micromanage like a few elite units because you can just make those as Canada, elite mountaineers or tanks are fun to micro in france, africa, etc.

But it still feels like too small game impact for me, if I play a game for hours I want to achieve a lot more, but I'm glad someone can have more fun that way aswell.

[Space Marine]

Australia is kinda fun as well, since (sometimes) the AI kinda neglects the Pacific Theater. You can be the defense of the European colonies

[Hussar]

Okay, Canada was a blast with their small army. Halfway through the war now as Australia. I'm trying to help the motherland in Africa, but we need to protect ourselves from Japan and their threat. Makes you appreciate the US as they come to our rescue. LOL.

It is so refreshing to play a smaller nation, as opposed to being burdened with keeping the entire alliance afloat. It clearly gives this game another perspective, and has refreshed it for me.

Loving it!!!!

Go Australia! lol!

[Hussar]

OMG! The pain! half my Navy just got wiped out ... my Pride of the Fleet, another CA, and supporting DDs. Got caught where I shouldn't have had my nose! LMAO..... God I love playing these smaller nations!