Just can't win this game

[redbaron07]

Hello All
I have had this game for quite a while now and have played it, gone away and come back many times. But I just cannot seem to get to grips. I have played on the lowest settings, and have tried using some of the 'cheats' but can still not crack it. Does anyone know of a video which shows a step by step guide for a complete idiot - me. I have watch several videos where they seem to jump assuming you already understand things - such as traits, etc. I have a fairly good understanding now, but just can't seem to win. For example as Italy - I send my forces to Ethopia - get the units and two Generals some experience. Also all the air forces. I then justify on France or Yugoislovia (sorry about spelling), I then have two armies on the French border - one north - one south and one on the Yugoslovia border. Once the fighting starts - they are just stalled. Then they start to lose ground. Then I lose completely. So I am desparate to see how someone does it - to try and follow them.
Keith

[The Tomekeeper]

okay sidestepping a lot of things here, first off

why are you justifying on yugo?

since that gets you into a war with like cz and france at least, and maybe romania too, why not avoid those guarantees and expand elsewhere?

ideas as an alternative to that play:

invade spain after civil war, then france asap after.
invade france, naval invading from the south
invade turkey, you have land right next to them if you look
invade austria and then hungary or even switzerland


all of those are better options than immediately going for yugo, because you have less or no guarantees from 3rd parties at the start of the game.


the reason why you lose is potentially because your forces are undersupplied, there are several reasons for this.

1) no industry making weapons or less than are being used up
2) too aggressive attacks causing equipment loss
3) not enough supply hubs or railways of high enough level
4) not enough trucks otherwise
5) not enough trains (you dont need to really concentrate too much on this)
6) maybe they aren't undersupplied and you're just outgunned/numbered
7) maybe they aren't undersupplied and you didn't set orders right
8) maybe they aren't undersupplied and you're attacking entrenched units
9) maybe you need to update your equipment or division template to more beefy
10) more cavalry or tanks to take advantage of empty cells

if your forces don't attack, it might be because you need to set a frontline, and attack order. there's a button for both on your army menu.


if you're dead set on attacking the whole little entente (yugo/france/cz) consider using albania and other italian territories as a jumping off point, naval invading france and yugo and building up more forces.

[The Tomekeeper]

about economy, at the start of a game as most factions you want to do a few things, although most of them are prompted.

set civ factories to build up and/or infrastructure to make them build faster.

go for mobilisation early to get lower % civ factories, research industrial stuff, set captain of industry or silent workhorse advisors. set your military factories to produce what you actually want to use.

also come up with a gameplan early but make sure you adjust it to what the rest of the game is doing.

[The Tomekeeper]

one thing worth noting is that generally if you caused the most world tension, democratic nations will tend to guarantee against you over 20% world tension. uk will almost always do this unless they go communist or something.

[The Tomekeeper]

honestly spain is a good option, they're weak af after civil war and that opens up a second front with france.

use mediterranean islands to do the naval invasions on both france and spain.

[redbaron07]

Ok thanks. I gave the example above - as I tried following a video which which went down that route. In answer to your points - I had enough equipment, the template was changed, the supply lines were upgraded. AS to orders - yes I had a plan, which was shown as to our advantge, but once you click it - it changes to disadvantage! I am not sure what else to try - as the battles are only with one country. I have tried other countries - germany for example but it is always the same. Forces get bogged down and lose.

[lakupupu]

play germany instead of italy

[mk11]

Firstly you need to consider your definition of winning. The game is semi-historical so expecting to win as Italy is pushing things. To "win" as anything other than UK, USA or USSR is performing above expectations.

The fact that you talk about battle plans and advantage and disadvantage suggests you are hoping the AI will manage your attacks. It is not very good at this and you will do better if you control your divisions more.

Broadly, as Italy you are not strong enough to push France through mountains (they are tough terrain). There are two approaches that can work:

1. Defend and allow the French AI to attack until they run out of equipment. You can help this by using cavalry divisions in Libya to lure French forces from Tunisia and then surround them. Haven't tried this since latest version so may not work with the new supply system.

2. Allow the French to commit to attacks and then land a naval or paratroop attack behind the lines. Again, not sure this will still work as the AI is better at garrisons.

Which is a major point - any video before November last year is on the old patch and may no longer work.

[redbaron07]

Ok Thanks.
This is the video I have tried to follow - it seems to show the player easier moving the french back. I followed the guide, but my troops were stalled at the south. I have made sure I have good supply, the right traits and also used manual attacks. Still unable to make the attacks work. The French just force me back and then take N Italy. It does not seem to matter what i try. So Ia m very keen to hear how other players progress in this game. I would just llike to actually win a battle!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w2_-j0ShRc&t=693s

[JDouglasBarson]

I watch the video. It's not a how-to for new players. Its a guide for experience players wanting to do a fun game to become Roman empire. Its looks like a video about how awesome CAS and superior firepower doctrine is against the AI. It sure is that good. He even stated in the video that he was not going to explain everything since it would make the video to long.

[redbaron07]

Ok thanks. I suppose it is gong to be one of those games that you play for ages - never really getting very far and then one day it clicks.

[andrewproctor81]

Dont waste your time with this game!

[redbaron07]

Originally posted by andrewproctor81:

Dont waste your time with this game!

Any reason why? I liked the idea but just find it too hard, is that the reason?

[d’Artagnan]

keep an eye on logistics is all I can say

EDIT: This guys videos are nice for a fast forward palythourgh so you get an idea. from there on you can start playing the way you want but its a nice basis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpw83zkJUA4

[SVaughan]

Originally posted by redbaron07:

Originally posted by andrewproctor81:

Dont waste your time with this game!

Any reason why? I liked the idea but just find it too hard, is that the reason?

Don't mind andrewproctor, he'd rather go around telling people not to play the game, rather than going and writing a full on review. Dude is a salty troll.
I know of a few YouTubers who have done "Every Click" videos for HoI4. I'll go look them up then post here.

[SVaughan]

Here's links with lengthy tutorial videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmjEMsl0QYw <-------- Details everything on the basic level (Pre-NSB)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgKHQXfjIsY <------- Details Railways and Supply (NSB)

Hope these help you in some capacity.