Hearts of Iron II Doomsday

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

It's easy to cross the maginot. Just use back hand blow tactics to weaken the line. The ai is stupid so that they leave their starting provences unoccupied, thus you can walk in.

What difficulty/agressiveness level are you playing? The AI never leaves the Maginot unguarded in my campaigns, even using your tactics. I'm always forced to go through Belgium or a country that's allied to me, such as Italy.

[Keba]

What difficulty/agressiveness level are you playing? The AI never leaves the Maginot unguarded in my campaigns, even using your tactics. I'm always forced to go through Belgium or a country that's allied to me, such as Italy.

You can always go around and disembark in Normandy. Sometimes you just get lucky with the British navy thing. Though with proper preparations the Kriegsmarine can easily be brought up to standard to blow the Brits out of the water. Either way, if you want to win in the West, a Navy is necessary, since taking the British isles is a bit of a problem, due to the rather random nature of encounters on the sea.

However, the important thing to remember, the Netherlands will join the allies the moment the Japanese declare war on them, those islands in the Pacific are mighty attractive (especially with the oil). Belgium, not so much, but the Netherlands will join the allies, unless you bring them into another alliance.

As to overwhelming the Maginot line ... well, with enough airpower, that can be done. Tac bombers set on Interdict, given enough numbers, time and fighter support can weaken the French enough to take the territory with support from paras and armour, but that is far too expensive so early in the war, and, unless you opt for peace in Danzig or War, it's unlikely that Germany has enough resources for such a conflict.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

As to overwhelming the Maginot line ... well, with enough airpower, that can be done. Tac bombers set on Interdict, given enough numbers, time and fighter support can weaken the French enough to take the territory with support from paras and armour, but that is far too expensive so early in the war, and, unless you opt for peace in Danzig or War, it's unlikely that Germany has enough resources for such a conflict.

Not just resources. Time is also of the essence. It just takes too long. I don't want to take until 1942 to conquer France.

[discovery1]

What difficulty/agressiveness level are you playing? The AI never leaves the Maginot unguarded in my campaigns, even using your tactics. I'm always forced to go through Belgium or a country that's allied to me, such as Italy.

Agressive? Well, it leaves the northern provence guarded, usually. The southern is open though, which is to be expected since their conquests in GER shield it.

[Glaucus]

its august of '41 I think, and there hasn't beem an event for the invasion of SU yet... should I attack on my own... or will the event come next year in June? I think the SU would destroy me if I tried to attack now, so should I wait till next spring?

[discovery1]

There is no event and the USSR only gets stronger.

[Keba]

I'd be inclined to agree with discovery1 (about the Soviets only getting stronger), though in my games I usually wait until 42 before launching Barbarossa.

The time can be used to take the British isles, establish a fortified line in Poland to prevent the Russians from advancing in case the attack fails, and establishing a massive, and I mean massive army.

Personally, I usually attack with, at the least, 6 tank armies (each tank army being 6 divisions, each with an appropriate mobile attachment), 3 armies (9 divisions, 1 HQ, 2 tank, 6 mechanized, all outfitted with attachments for mobility) and a whole lot of holding corps (this can take any form you like, but in my case they are usually comprised of 3 motorized divisions with artillery, at and engineer attachments). Also, lots and lots of air support. Naval supremacy can work wonders coupled with sufficient Marines and Paratroopers, as you will likely force the Soviets to split their troops even more. Missiles are good, too for bombing those industrial centres, especially after the transfer of industry event fires (their industry will get concentrated around the Urals, if you can hit those, their industry will take a nose-dive).

The advance will be quick enough with such a composition of land forces, if you make sure that there are no holes in your line. The holding corps are generally not going to stop a Soviet counter-attack, but will slow one down long enough for your hitters to get into position to cut them off. They'll also be useful for baiting the Soviets into stretching their forces thin. Once you get into Russia proper the Soviets will begin leaving holes in their defensive lines. Also, make sure not to drift too far north with your troop concentration (a mistake I usually make, leaving me with 80% of my forces in the forests and swamps around Leningrad).

The only problem with this strategy is oil, you'll need a lot of it, and by a lot I mean a whole lot. The mid East must be yours (I use 1941 for this), and you'll need to import from Romania and all countries with access to any oil. Also, the Baku oil fields in Azerbeijan will need to be a priority for the invasion. During the invasion, keep your fleet in ports, they'll drain your oil something fierce.

The up side is that once you get to the Urals, you'll have an invulnerable front line, and by the time the USSR is gone, you'll have such an army that you can wipe the floor with the USA, Japan and any other nation that gets in your way ... at the same time.

[Avicenna]

Time to resurrect the thread!

I'm kind of stuck on what to do in my campaign now.. it's around 1940 I think. I'm Italy, with a nice Eastern empire: over the years, I annexed Greece, Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria and Turkey to form a union of all the non-Allied sections Roman Empire that can be connected by land (I also grabbed 2 Romanian provinces behind the Danube to make the border nice). I've also established my first colony recently, Siam, as it remained neutral due to Japan wimping out on China in '37. Italy has also gained an allied buffer with the north, with an Austro-Hungary union (Austria).

On other matters, it's a bit of a bloodfest going on above me. Since I declared on Yugoslavia almost on the go, Germany, being guarantors, declared on me. My first peace attempt failed, then I used acceptall on the peace since it wouldn't be in German interests to fight me, without a land connection. However, it was too late. France declared war on Germany. Not wanting to lose out, the Soviets declared war on Germany soon after. All central Europe apart from Czechoslovakia and Austria allied with Germany, while Czechoslovakia declared war on the SU independently. France soon felt in Napoleon mood, and declared war on the Russians as well. After the annexation of Germany, which was nicely divided up and Russia having painted Eastern+Central Europe red, the brave Frenchmen charged but expectedly retreated back to the Maginot line, where it's been a stalemate for over a year now, surprisingly.

During all this, I declared on Greece (which had joined the Axis) with Austrian support. Romania was also in the Axis, so I grabbed the 2 provinces which legally became mine after their capitulation to the Soviets. As a reward, I gave Austria Hungary. (Hungary did the event thing and joined the SU, but that didn't fit in as the SU hadn't touched them nor shared a border with them. Of course, I had to do a bit of cheating to annex Hungary then force a peace with the SU).

The Italian industry is now with a base IC of over 100, a major achievement, and the Regia Marina is being fitted with a new fleet: Super-Heavy battleships and modernised destroyers. (the dated fleets ewre disbanded long ago, leaving only 2 fleets and 1 transport fleet)

What to do now? Build an American colonial empire? Gain a quick victory on the weakened Allies? This would give me extended lands in Europe, but the damage to the Frenchmen might just lead them to collapsing in the face of the Soviets. Should I give myself Syria and Lebanon as a story thing? (blackmailing the desperate Allies)

Of course, I could just sit back and relax, with my belligerence approaching 100. I also have quite a dated infantry army which could do with upgrading, and a practically nonexistent airforce needs attention. My production was mainly focused on my legions of garrison units, dotting my ERE. Would adding a bit of flavour to my army be something to do? (things other than vanilla infantry)

[SwordsMaster]

I'd sit back, take syria and lebanon, while upgrading the army. You need tanks and mech-mot divisions for a successful war with the SU. Let France stick it out with the russians themselves if they wish.

[Avicenna]

I've got no way of researching all that.. my research is focussed on industry. Besides, the Russian GDE is very low, and their European crusade has cost them manpower, as well as left the bulk of their armies stuck in static warfare next to France. Any war with the Soviets would only be to create buffers and grab Baku.

[ShadeHonestus]

Time to upgrade your troops if they are far behind or it'll all be academic once one of the bigger boys takes a liking to your territory. I had a similar game with Italy a long time ago. I remember taking a break from europe and working mainly in the middle east while allying with some South American countries.

Good luck it sounds interesting.


It's nice to see an HOI thread here, I've been a long time HOI player and wished there was a community for it that was more like the Org's.

One a side note, if you have RICKY, I've had a lot of fun making superpowers and importing that game into HOI DD and then squaring off against the monsters I create.

[ElectricEel]

There's a new downloadable addon, Armageddon, available on Gamersgate. It adds two new (fantasy) scenarios, some new game options, improves the air combat and air-to-sea combat models, and has other tweaks and gameplay improvements. The price is only 5€.

[Glaucus]

Bringing this thread back again!

I just pulled out my disk again, and started a campaign as Italy. Annexed Ethiopia, Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria. My belligerence was terrible, so to remedy that I released Greece and Bulgaria as puppets, which brought my belligerence down a bit. I allied with Germany, and the germans have invaded poland. I've advanced a little ways into southern france, and have taken up to Tunisia and Alexandria in africa. My question is, is it possible to get legit ownership of my new african territories, or do I have to annex them? or can I liberate them? And when germany takes out france, and vichy fires, will I lose my southern france holdings?

[Csargo]

I believe so. It's usually a waste of time to attack the French on the mainland.

[Lord Winter]

I'm currently playing a germen game. It started out fairlly well with me building up my indestruy and air force. I then invaded Chezcklovoki were I broke through in a week or so when Poland entered the war. After knocking the Chezcks I turned on Poland which conquered while the Luffewaffa enjoyed extreme suppority. Now the russians attacked me and I'm losing ground fast in the south were my counteroffensive failed while gaining the north. Right now I'm debating if I should fall back past to warsaw to a river line or countine to press my gains in the north while trying to buy as much time as possiable in the south.

[discovery1]

I'm currently playing a germen game. It started out fairlly well with me building up my indestruy and air force. I then invaded Chezcklovoki were I broke through in a week or so when Poland entered the war. After knocking the Chezcks I turned on Poland which conquered while the Luffewaffa enjoyed extreme suppority. Now the russians attacked me and I'm losing ground fast in the south were my counteroffensive failed while gaining the north. Right now I'm debating if I should fall back past to warsaw to a river line or countine to press my gains in the north while trying to buy as much time as possiable in the south.

Never attack the Czechs. You get their stuff for free by event, along with cores on their land. The latter is also true for parts of poland.

[Csargo]

I'de halt the advance in the North and turn and try to encircle some of the Russian divisions in the south and destroy them. What year is it btw?

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

There's a new downloadable addon, Armageddon, available on Gamersgate. It adds two new (fantasy) scenarios, some new game options, improves the air combat and air-to-sea combat models, and has other tweaks and gameplay improvements. The price is only 5€.

Don't buy it yet! According to what I hear, there are lots of bugs and the gameplay needs more tweaking. Paradox is coming up with a patch soon, AFAIK. Wait until then. Paradox patches are good.

[Csargo]

Downloaded DD from gamersgate. Played as Poland needless to say it didn't end well..

I wonder if anyone would be interested in a multiplayer game?

[ShadeHonestus]

Would be down for some of that at some point...

[Glaucus]

perhaps...

[Glaucus]

anyone know a file one could edit or a mod one could download to make it so HoI2 doesn't have an end date? IE, so that the game keeps going after WW II is over?

[ElectricEel]

There's a thread on the Paradox Interactive forums about 'no time limit' mods for HoI2.

[Maloncanth]

I'm new to HoI2:Doomsday and after playing a little on 1.0 as Nationalist China, I updated to 1.3 and found myself with one hell of a lot more mountains than I did before. Is this...normal?

[RabidGibbon]

Yep.

I hear they added the mountains as a way to slow the Japanese down.

[spmetla]

Those mountains are necessary, though troop movements suffers they at least allow my Chinese soldiers to fight the numerical and qualititatively superior Japanese. It's frustrating when I feel strong enough to do minor counterattacks but it severly limits Japanese breakthroughs.

[cegorach]

Lately I got some suprising results with my Polish campaign in mod 34.



I played on normal/furious ( hate this IC reduction) with techteam takeover ( Armageddon) so some Germans worked for me after I annexed Germany in April 1940.
It took some time to rebuilt manpower and modernise the army untill in January Korean III WW was started by Stalin.
In August/September I decided to and the game - the SU was beaten and the only power I got to beat was the supersized USA with 700 divisions. I could handle them from 1950 I guess, but I forgot to save the game after beating Stalin and had to uninstall the game anyway...


Now I am waiting for CORE 0.30 - good naval war is what I really need.

[SwordsMaster]

Which mod are you using there cegorach? I don't have Armageddon, so can't tell, but the unit icons are different from the original ones...

[cegorach]

Mod is the Spanish-made 'mod 34 revolutions' or something (needless to say there are dozenz of options for Spain, you should like them) but the icons are from Polish Skif graphic mod

http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/...=236771&page=1

Skif isn't perfectly 'tuned' to 34's needs because the mod adds dozens of new options, but the icons are small works of art and most of the powers are covered well in any case so in my opinion it is a 'must have'.


P.S. I am rather new to HoF - bought the game two weeks ago - but did some search for the best products available and the 34 is still the only really good mod working for Armageddon (perfect for naval war), at least untill CORE 0.30 will come.

[SwordsMaster]

Cool, thanks! I'll check them out.