HOI4 Guide - When should I build Military Factories

Summary

In this video, the host discusses the optimal timing for building military factories in *Hearts of Iron 4* (HoI4). The quick answer is to build them right from the start, especially if you're preparing for war in 1939. The video delves into detailed strategies for countries like Germany and the United Kingdom, explaining how early military factory construction can provide a crucial advantage in production and military output. Using a custom economy simulator, the host demonstrates how different strategies impact a nation’s ability to succeed in early conflicts and gain momentum in the war. Ultimately, building military factories from the start is shown to be key to achieving early victories.

Takeaways

• 😀 Build military factories from the start of the game to gain a significant advantage in *Hearts of Iron IV*.
• 😀 Early military factory production gives a strong initial military output, essential for early conquests, especially for Germany and the UK.
• 😀 Starting military factories early gives you more units and better strength to push your military agenda in the early stages of war.
• 😀 For Germany, starting military factory production immediately allows you to conquer enemy factories early, boosting your economy and military strength.
• 😀 For the United Kingdom, starting military factory production immediately ensures you can fend off Germany and protect the home islands.
• 😀 Even though late-game strategies may provide better equipment, early military production helps secure critical victories early in the game.
• 😀 The earlier you start military production, the more likely you are to have the forces necessary to win critical early battles.
• 😀 Germany should prioritize military factory production from the start to overwhelm opponents early and expand effectively.
• 😀 For the UK, building military factories early will help balance the military gap between them and the advancing German forces.
• 😀 The strategy of early military factory production holds true for most countries, not just Germany and the UK, providing a tactical advantage in the opening years of the game.
• 😀 The video emphasizes the importance of building military factories from the start and the subsequent impact on your overall war effort, especially if preparing for a 1939 conflict.

Q & A

Why should military factories be built from the start in Hearts of Iron 4?

Building military factories from the start in Hearts of Iron 4 gives you a head start in production, allowing you to build up your military strength early, which is crucial, especially if you plan to go to war in 1939. This early advantage lets you create more troops and be stronger when engaging in battles, particularly against early-game enemies.

What is the primary benefit of building military factories early in the game as Germany?

As Germany, building military factories from the start helps you have a significant production advantage early on. This advantage translates to more military output, allowing you to build more units for early victories, especially against Poland, France, and North Africa. Early production sets you up for success in Barbarossa and later conflicts.

How do different strategies for building military factories affect Germany’s military production over time?

Germany can choose to build military factories from the start, from 1937, or from mid-1937. Building them from the start provides a significant production lead early in the game, especially by 1939. Although later strategies (starting in 1937 or 1940) may lead to better equipment, the initial advantage gained by early production is crucial for early game success.

How does the United Kingdom benefit from building military factories from the start?

For the United Kingdom, building military factories from the start in 1939 helps you keep up with Germany’s aggression. It allows for 60,000 extra military production by the time you need to fend off Germany, which is vital to maintaining a strong defense, especially to prevent losing the Home Islands and the game.

What role does military factory production output play in deciding when to build military factories?

Military factory production output is crucial for determining when to start building military factories. Early production increases your ability to build units quickly and strengthens your army faster. For example, in the early game, Germany’s output is much higher with military factories from the start compared to waiting until mid-1937.

When does the advantage of building military factories from the start start to fade?

The advantage of building military factories from the start typically fades around mid-1939. After this point, later strategies, such as those starting in 1937, begin to yield better military equipment production. However, the early advantage still provides a critical boost, especially for aggressive nations like Germany.

How do military factory strategies influence late-game performance in Hearts of Iron 4?

In the late game, strategies that build military factories later (such as starting in 1937 or mid-1937) may result in better equipment and higher production output per day. However, this is often too late if your nation hasn’t already conquered key territories. Early military factory production allows you to conquer more and acquire enemy factories, which boosts your military power significantly.

Why is it important for Germany to build military factories early in the game, even if they get better equipment later?

Building military factories early as Germany is critical because it provides a production advantage, allowing you to launch successful early wars and expand quickly. By conquering more territories early on, you gain access to additional civilian and military factories, strengthening your economy and military production for the remainder of the game.

Can the United Kingdom afford to wait and build military factories later in the game?

No, the United Kingdom cannot afford to wait too long before building military factories. Germany’s aggression in 1939 requires an early buildup of military strength to defend the Home Islands. If the UK delays too much, they risk losing crucial territories and falling behind in production, making it difficult to fend off the German offensive.

How does the military factory strategy affect the ability to conquer and defend territories?

The military factory strategy significantly impacts your ability to conquer and defend territories. Early production allows you to field a stronger army and conquer more territories, gaining more factories in the process. Delaying military factory production risks losing crucial strategic points, making defense harder and reducing your ability to expand effectively.