Trying to get started....

[Strategy Informer]

So I am no stranger to Paradox games, but the HOI series has for some reason been inpenetrable. I heard somewhere that Darkest Hour is more strategic vs HOI3 which is more tactical and micro... So I picked this up. While I understand the basics I litterly have no idea what type of numbers I am looking to get to. I understand that Germany in 33' is still licking its wounds, under sanctions and not geared up for anything military so it makes sense to me to improve my IC. But I have no idea what numbers I am looking to get to with my IC. I would assume it would be the same question with any country. What is concereded good numbers.

Also with diplo, am I supposed to just improve relations or use trade to improve relations my diplomats seem to have low chances at lsuces and it seems the acts are costly.

Can anyone give me a hand or point me to some help. I would love to finally get my hands/head around this series.

[Cally]

If it's your first time I recommend starting with the 1936 scenario or even 1938-39.

Also you might want to try playing with the basic HoI2 (the "none" mod) instead of DH lite or full, because it is a bit easier to get the hang of. Darkest Hour Full has lots of tricks to it.

Here's some other tips:

Diplo: You can use trade to get to +50 relations with a country as long as you have a relationship with them. For example, a 1.0 energy trade with some country in exchange for nothing is a cheap-easy way to get +50 diplo.

Otherwise, you only really need to spend money "improving relations" if the country is one you are trying to ally with. Germany can do this with the balkan nations, italy, and japan, for example.

I know HoI2 basic has an unpolished map, but it's much better for a new player than starting with the difficult 1933 scenario.

[avantech]

Starting with vanilla HOI2 is sound advice, but you miss some major improvements from DH. And this game is never a couple of hours just to see how it goes, a single game can take days or weeks. I'd still try out DH, if you have the time to invest.

As Germany you lack two things: resources (rares + fuel) and manpower. Since 1933 you have to hoard as much rares and fuel as possible through trade agreements and one-time offers.
As for manpower, you need to build just enough infantry divisions while prioritising ARM, MOT, INT, CAS, TAC, and NAV - which require less men, but more IC (and fuel).

IC-wise, by Jan'37 I have 164 base IC. By Jan'39 with Hess, Schacht, full Central Planning, Austria and Sudetenland, I have close to 300 total IC.
When building factories, remember that build times vary according to infrastructure, and that the provinces to the west are more vulnerable to allied bombing. Building AA early is advisable.

Poland is easy, but France is not the pushover from History. Britain is all about planes: INT in the air, NAV in the sea. Your navy is inferior, without NAV it's an uphill battle.

If you try to play historically, it will all come down to Jun'41. Barbarossa tests not only your army, but your whole strategy: IC, resources and manpower.