Hearts of Iron IV News

Hello and welcome to the art Dev Diary for Graveyard of Empires!

I’m marblemadness, one of the artists responsible for bringing you the art content that will be present in the expansion and unless specified the “speaker” in this dev diary. There was a lot of positive reception for Götterdämmerung, so following up on that is a challenge. But we’ve greased our elbows and dug deep into the sand to excavate the best art we could find, so I really hope you enjoy what we have to show!

[h3]Focuses[/h3]
Focuses! The bread and butter of the HoI4 experience. Here are some selections from this DLC.

Persian focus Icons

British Raj focus Icons

Afghan focus Icons

Iraq focus Icons

[h3]Portraits[/h3]
A Dev Diary would not be complete without a selection of the various country Leaders!


Persian Portraits


British Raj Portraits


Afghan Portraits


Iraq Portraits

[h3]Loading Screen[/h3]
This is the Loading Screen for GoE, as graciously created by CremeGene


[h3]3D Models[/h3]
Hello everyone! It’s me again bringing you a closer look at the 3D models for this DLC!
To truly appreciate the artistry behind these models, I have gathered some definition images for us to examine. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the models at this level of fidelity so let’s not waste any more time!

Let’s start with an up-close and personal look at the soldiers who will be risking their lives this time around!


It can be very dangerous to tread these lands on foot. One way to get the upper hand on the battlefield is to get your hands on a tank. Here are some tanks that will be available for each nation:
The big tank to the right is apparently called the flying elephant, but I don’t think it will be flying anytime soon.

You won’t be able to survive by only dominating the battlefields with your tanks and soldiers. They will be easy pickings unless you have some competent airplanes to achieve air supremacy
as well!


Even when there is a fierce battle happening it can be hard to not stop and appreciate the rich history and architecture that can be seen around the globe. In addition to previously added landmarks, you will now be able to see the Hagia Sophia, Sa'dabad Complex and Taj Mahal as well!


Before we finish off with a look at the achievements, I would like to address the elephant in the room by addressing.. Well.. the elephant in the room! Horses and camels are great, but there is no greater ally than this gentle giant:


[h3]Achievements[/h3]
And to round everything up, we have the achievements. Enjoy!


Graveyard of Empires
As Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq or the Raj, control all of the other three nations' starting provinces.



This achievement is dedicated to the brave soldiers of...
As Afghanistan, capitulate the Soviet Union



I have the high ground
As Afghanistan, control all Himalayan states



Pesky Greeks
As Iran, become the owner of all Greek core states



The Sands of Time
As Iran, own the entire Middle East



The Legacy of Cyrus the Great
As Iran, become the owner of former Achaemenid Empire's states



From Tehran with Love
As Iran, guarantee Poland's independence and ensure it does not capitulate by 1945



Cradle of Civilization
As Iraq, build the maximum infrastructure level in all core states and achieve 100% stability



It's Just Good Business
As the East India Company, own Suez and Panama



Media Mughal
As the Mughal Empire, complete Agency Upgrade Psychological Warfare, become Spy Master and have at least 8 operatives



Oh, how the turntables
As India puppet the UK with Churchill as it's leader



I'm just passing by
Own a state on each continent while being at peace



That's SIkh!
As Khalistan, control all of the starting Raj states



Oil Sheiks
As Iraq, have 500 oil production



Revenge for 1925
As Iraq, form the Hashemite Arab Federation and defeat Saudi Arabia



Avenging the Sack of Baghdad
As Iraq, control the capital of Mongolia



I shall either find a way or make one
Control Rome and have an elephant unit in the state.



Savior of the holy lands
As Afghanistan, become the owner of Palestine and Mecca


And this brings us to the end of the art Dev Diary! We really hope you’ve liked the content that has been presented so far and wish you the best of luck leading the new countries to a prosperous future!



If you haven't already, check out the Expansion pass by clicking here, or the picture above!

Generals! It’s Synth here, good to see you again! I hope you’re ready for our latest report in Graveyard of Empires! Last time we explored the historical events that took place in Iran during World War 2, as well as the potential alt history that lay within a strong Iranian Empire. This time, we take a look at what the opposition had to say in regards to the Pahlavi Dynasty. Buckle up soldiers, we’re going to be exploring the Democratic, Communist and Fascist paths and see what kind of alternate history awaits us.

From what we saw in history, Iran maintained its monarchy all the way through to the 1970s, but as with all nations, it was never a cut and dry case. In the 20th century, ideology took a forefront in modern politics, and Iran was no stranger to concepts such as communism and fascism. Today, we are going to explore a few what if scenarios, in which the Shah was faced with a strong enough opposition to change the trajectory of Iran on the world stage. Without further ado, let’s hop right in!

(A disclaimer: there may be some placeholder art for the time being)


Is being a King of Kings not your cup of tea? Well, we have a wide selection of ideology for you!

Taking power is not so simple. You must build your opposition first.

Before we dive into any specific branch, you must first establish your national front. Doing so will unlock a decision in which you can decide where to place your ‘headquarters’ should a civil war break out (And let me be real with you folks, it probably will). This will make that state your capital when you decide to go to war with the Shah, giving you a good foothold for your new government.

This will allow you to then take some more decisions through the next focuses, which will help you to lower support for the Shah and establish opposition groups in various states that will join you on the onset of a civil war.

From this point, you must then decide which ideology you want to use to spearhead Iran into the future.

[h3]Rallying behind Mosaddegh[/h3]
I love democracy, I love the Republic…

Have you heard the tale of Mohammad Mosaddegh? He was a prominent Iranian politician, author and lawyer. To this day, he remains one of the most popular figures in Iranian history. In the context of Graveyard of Empires, Mosaddegh is the man who will spearhead our democratic movement in Iran.
As the democratic Iranian player, you will have the choice of either restoring and maintaining constitutional limits on the Shah, allowing him to serve as a figurehead, or instead work towards a republic, which will inevitably result in the Shah’s deposition. Whilst forcing an abdication will result in a civil war no matter what, if you are able to garner enough democratic support, you should be able to avoid conflict and quietly become a full democracy if you instead decide to enforce a constitutional monarchy.

I’m sure the Shah won’t mind…

Oh yeah, he probably will mind…

At this point, you are now a democracy, and it is time to open up free elections and decide who you want to lead your nation. You will have three options, each with their own perks: Mohammad Mosaddegh, Mohammad Ali Foroughi, and Abol Ghasem Kashani.

If you choose to follow a constitutional monarchy, there will also be an option to strengthen the power of the Islamic clergy, and generally reject overt westernization. This won’t result in a take over, but it will ensure that religion will continue to have a place within your new government.

It always comes down to oil, doesn’t it?

There are two ways in which foreign policy can go when playing democratic Iran. One will take you down a path of anti-colonialist movements in the middle east (which I will touch on after the communist branch, as both ideologies can take this), and joining up with the Allies. The latter will allow you to secure Iraq and Afghanistan to have a better control over the region and ensure that the middle east remains democratic. Like I said, I will discuss international solidarity a bit later, but first let’s take a look at the communist branch of Iran!

[h3]The Rise of the Tudeh[/h3]
Red, as far as the eye can see

The Tudeh party was an Iranian communist party that had considerable influence in their early years of operation, including playing an important role alongside Mosaddegh in the attempts to nationalize the Anglo-Iranian oil company. Following the occupation of Iran, however, they became very pro-Soviet, which we have reflected here in the tree. The other option is to follow the Iran Party, which was not as far left as the Tudeh were, but also played their role as part of the backbone of the ‘National Front’. Even though their membership never exceeded the several hundreds, they remain a potential route to take in your efforts to bring the communist revolution to Iran!
In order to proceed down this path, it is crucial that you reach out to the Kurdish and Azerbaijani separatists, promising them independence once you have taken power. Once you carry out your revolution, you will have a certain amount of time to deliver on your promise of independence or they will try and take it from you by force!

Plans must be laid following your revolution

Following your rise to power, it is time to make some decisions on what to do. Given the proximity towards the Soviet Union, regardless of whether or not you align with them directly, you will be working closely with them. After working on restructuring your industry and making changes to your country, the path of the Iranian communist tree becomes a lot more focused on building a military and engaging in foreign policy.

That’s a lot of collaboration…

In order to keep up with the military behemoth of your communist neighbor, the latter part of this branch focuses on collaborating with them in order to strengthen your military technology. This should help the Iranian communist player prepare for any threats to their new ideology.

On the flip side, we can finally talk about international solidarity!

It’s time to de-colonize!

This little sub-branch is shared by the communist and democratic tree, and will give you the opportunity to cause a little chaos in the region. For many years, European powers have held colonial dominance in the Middle East, and now it is time to disrupt their great game and expel them from these lands. Don’t get it entirely twisted, however. There are gains to be made here, after all, if these lands are under your “protection”, then they won’t be in the hands of the great empires either.

These focuses will give you an opportunity to de-stabilize your immediate neighbors and solidify a sense of control in the region. Afterwards, you can encourage resistance in the border lands and eventually stake your own claims around the Persian gulf, replacing the external imperial powers with your own hegemony.

[h3]Under New Leadership[/h3]
The path to Iranian Fascism

Historically, the hyper-nationalist party SUMKA was not formed until the 1950s, under the leadership of Davud Monshizadeh and was directly inspired and reflective of the leadership of Germany during World War 2. In the context of our branch here, they will be formed early and will be the main party leading this new fascist Iran.

First we begin by uniting those with nationalist sentiments and collate them into forming SUMKA. Whilst this brings a hit to stability, it will start to tick favor to be more in line with fascism.

March of the shocktroopers

By organizing shocktrooper marches, more of the military will join your side when your coup begins, meaning you can overwhelm the Shah with numbers, ultimately leading to an easier grab for power. However, there is also the option to sway the elite in Iran to your side. When the war is over and you have secured power, it will give you an opportunity to select a new Shah who will be more sympathetic to your cause, relegating him to nothing more than a figurehead.

With that under way, it is time to take your stand.

An empire fractured…

Expanding outwards

After a brutal civil war, it is time to rebuild your nation into something more befitting of a hyper-nationalist and fascist regime. You can enforce secularism, which will cause a dip in support, stability and research for a while, but will ultimately allow you to spearhead new technologies through a research slot. You may also establish your own secret peace to maintain order in your new nation.

Eventually though, you will need to make a choice. Will you side with the nationalists in Germany? align yourself with the Japanese Empire? Or go your own way and develop your own fascist bloc? Either one of these will allow the Iranian player to begin intervening in their neighbors business, staking claims on Turkey, Iraq and Afghanistan, before eventually turning your gaze towards the pesky communists to the north.

Germany or Iran? Who will bring the New World Order?

After forming Greater Iran, you have a few choices ahead of you. Sow discourse in the Middle East, by flaring tensions between the Arab nations and turning them against each other. Turn your gaze to India and deal with the fracturing of Imperial power in the region. But ultimately, there is one final boss to deal with…

There can only be one fascist superpower in the world, and if you have your way, it will not be Germany.

[h2]Welcome to the Graveyard of Empires[/h2]
And that, Generals, brings me to our conclusion. With this Dev Diary, we have finished all the country specific spotlights, with Iran bringing them to a close. As you can see, we have given you a myriad of options to play with when it comes to this absolutely fascinating country. Whether you defend yourself against aggressive invaders; build an empire founded on national pride; or bring Iran into a new age of democratic, fascist or communist ideologies, there is something for everyone.

I truly hope you all enjoy playing these four nations when they release with Graveyard of Empires, as we had a blast making this content for you and exploring an often forgotten part of the world. So much happened here during World War 2, and we are delighted to shine a spotlight on it!

As always, have a great day, have fun, and I’ll see you all later!

-Synth



If you haven't already, check out the Expansion pass by clicking here, or the picture above!

Greetings all,

Before we venture into the country content today, I want to take a brief moment to discuss the reactions to last week’s development diary. For those who didn’t follow the situation, it would be fair to say that some of the material we presented elicited strong negative reactions from parts of the community. This is not unusual, in fact I’d go so far as to say that it’s one of the reasons we have dev diaries in the first place. Well intentioned feedback is a good thing. We won’t always agree on what the best directions are for a game, but I think we’ve repeatedly shown that airing content early in dev diaries can be a source of positive change for the content within.

However.

It would also be fair to say that for the last couple of releases, dev diaries have happened much later in the development process than they used to. This makes it harder for us to make certain, more significant changes based on the feedback we get. I am not happy with this. We will make changes.

With all of the above said we do still use dev diaries as a medium for change, and we’ve taken on board the community’s thoughts around the Silk Road Empire path, and will be altering this to fit a more historically inspired vision. You can find details of this below the text for the upcoming Afghanistan content, and then we’ll continue with the upcoming Iraq content.

As a final note however, there is an unpleasant undercurrent to some of the reactions we’ve received this week. A minority of players have resorted to threats, harassment, and organized personal attacks far outside what I would consider appropriate or acceptable online behaviour, in order to compel us to make changes to the game. As a rule, we do not respond to demands that are accompanied by harassment or threats. Instead, as displayed above, it is constructive feedback that is most likely to result in changes.

Arheo

---

Hi there! Here are two of our new focus trees arriving in Graveyard of Empires.

Explore historical and alternative paths as your nation grapples with unstable politics, external pressures, and a rugged landscape.
Or perhaps you prefer to shape the fate of the Hashemite monarchy, navigate military conspiracies, and determine whether Iraq will bow to foreign interests or carve out its own destiny.


First we have one of the most intriguing and overlooked nations of Hearts of Iron IV: Afghanistan.
Known as the "Graveyard of Empires," Afghanistan sits at the crossroads of Asia, surrounded by powerful neighbors with competing interests. In Graveyard of Empires, Afghanistan gets a brand-new focus tree that offers players an array of historical and alternative paths, all while grappling with the nation's unique challenges: unstable politics, external pressures, and a rugged landscape that's as much an obstacle as it is a defense. Let’s dive into what makes this mountainous nation tick!


[h3]King Zahir Path: A Balancing Act[/h3]
If you choose to keep Afghanistan on its historical trajectory, your goal is to maintain neutrality while avoiding the unwanted attention of both the British Raj and the Soviet Union. It’s not an easy task—both neighbors see Afghanistan as a key piece in their great game of influence.


The historical path focuses on threading the needle diplomatically. You’ll work to modernize the state just enough to strengthen it without alarming the Soviets or British into intervening. Build up a defensive military, negotiate trade agreements, and play the long game. Survive the war intact, and you might just emerge as a stronger, more united Afghanistan ready to step onto the post-war stage. However, this branch also has options to depart from the historical trajectory by strengthening the young King Zahir Shah at the expense of his power hungry uncles.


This enables Afghanistan to move towards parliamentary democracy, or even a republic. Depending on choices made throughout this path, the establishment of a republic can allow Afghanistan to gain cores on more territory or transform into a new nation such as Pashtunistan. You may have also noticed the end focus called ‘Sinkiang Intervention’ which will allow alt-history Afghanistan to declare war and puppet Sinkiang. This is intended to be a follow on from the 1933 Afghan interventions in the region.


[h3]Modernization and Industry[/h3]
Afghanistan’s industrial branch is a delicate balancing act. On one hand, you have the rising middle class and reformers who demand modernization—factories, railroads, and a central government capable of governing effectively. On the other hand, the rural elite and tribal leaders expect the status quo to remain, fiercely opposing any changes that threaten their power or traditions.


As new universities are established (giving the player extra tech slots), their graduates will expect jobs. Otherwise they will turn to alternative ideologies in the form of a ticking national spirit, boosting parties opposed to the current government.


Failure to accommodate the needs of the graduates or the rural population can escalate even further, especially if Afghanistan has taken industrial aid from the Soviet Union.

To succeed, you’ll need to navigate these conflicting interests carefully. Alienate the traditionalists, and you risk plunging the nation into civil unrest. Ignore the reformers, and the country’s economy will stagnate, leaving you ill-prepared for the challenges of the modern world. Striking the right balance will be key to building a strong, stable Afghanistan capable of weathering the storms of the 20th century.


[h3]Red Revolution – The Communist Path[/h3]
On the opposite end of the spectrum lies the Communist path. Here, Afghanistan leans into its proximity to the Soviet Union and stages a workers’ revolution to overthrow the monarchy. With Soviet backing, you’ll focus on restructuring the nation into a socialist state, collectivizing agriculture, and using Soviet expertise to industrialize rapidly.

A successful Communist Afghanistan can join the Comintern, spreading revolution across South Asia. As a reward for securing your central Asia for the communist cause, Afghanistan can take control of Soviet states in central Asia and form a new communist state in the mountainous region.


[h3]The Return of Amanullah Khan – The Fascist Path[/h3]
What if Afghanistan didn’t settle for neutrality? What if Amanullah Khan, the reformist monarch who was overthrown in 1929, returned to power with a vengeance? In this path, you’ll work to restore Amanullah’s throne, rally the country around his vision of modernity, and take Afghanistan in a radical new direction.


In order to restore Khan to the throne, players will have to rally support from those opposed to the current regime and potentially sway Germany into supporting you. When the time is right, Khan will need to use his support to violently overthrow the government in a civil war.


But modernization comes at a cost. To industrialize the nation, you’ll need to crush traditionalist opposition and whip the economy into shape. Amanullah’s reforms will bring social upheaval, from building factories in the cities to empowering women and expanding education—an effort that will alienate the rural elite and test the patience of the clergy.

Once industrialized and militarized, Afghanistan can align itself with the Axis, contributing to their war effort and expanding its influence in Central Asia at the expense of the Soviet Union or push South and dominate the Indian sub-continent.

[h3]Military Traditions: Levy vs. Professional Army[/h3]
Afghanistan’s military tree offers two distinct paths. Will you maintain the traditional levy-based army that draws upon local tribes and their age-old knowledge of guerrilla warfare? Or will you modernize, creating a professional standing army equipped with artillery, tanks, and aircraft?


The levy path excels at defensive warfare and is perfect for players who want to hold out against more powerful foes in Afghanistan’s rugged terrain without reliance on an industrial economy. Meanwhile, the professional army path allows for a more offensive playstyle, but modernization requires major investment in infrastructure, industry, and training. Both paths have their advantages, and choosing the right one will depend on the challenges you face.

[h3]Afghanistan Conclusion[/h3]
Afghanistan might not be the biggest player on the world stage, but its unique challenges and opportunities make it a fascinating nation to lead in Hearts of Iron IV. Whether you choose to maintain its neutrality, dive into reformist authoritarianism, or embrace radical socialism, Afghanistan offers a fresh and engaging experience for players who enjoy navigating the complexities of geopolitics and internal strife.

[h2]Some Raj changes[/h2]
We have implemented some changes to the Raj’s alt-history branches following feedback in the previous developer diary. So let’s take a quick detour from Afghanistan to see what’s changed.


As you can see, the Mughal branch has changed structure somewhat. After breaking away from the Raj in a war of independence, you will start off as a lonesome Princely State. After this you choose who you want to rule your new state. This will include an option to promote the historical heir of the Timurid Empire, Mirza Khurshid Jah Bahadur. Furthermore, we’ve also enforced stricter rules for who can be leader to only include non-hindu princes.


Then we have two paths you can take in this branch, embracing Mughal heritage and becoming a new Mughal Empire and striving to unite the Indian Sub-Continent under your rule (as we discussed last week), or striking north and west in the form of a resurrected Timurid empire.


The Timurid path allows you to move the capital into Afghanistan and promotes the expansion into former Timurid territory in central Asia, Iran, Turkey and Iraq. Included in this path is an option to expand the silk road across your conquered territory by establishing new railway lines towards your capital.



Next up, we set our sights on a nation caught in the whirlwind of great power politics, a land rich in oil but plagued by instability—Iraq. With the Graveyard of Empires Country Pack, Iraq receives a new and dynamic focus tree that allows players to shape the fate of the Hashemite monarchy, navigate the shadows of military conspiracies, and determine whether Iraq will bow to foreign interests or carve out its own destiny.


Will you secure Britain’s favor and build a Hashemite empire? Will you break free from imperial control and forge a regional alliance? Or will you embrace radical nationalism and set the Arab world aflame? The choice is yours. Let’s dive in!

[h3]The Hashemite Gamble: A Crown in Exchange for Chains?[/h3]
Iraq's Hashemite monarchy exists in a precarious position. Installed by the British in the aftermath of the First World War, it must balance between maintaining legitimacy at home and keeping the favor of its foreign patrons. Walking this tightrope offers both risks and rewards.


If you choose to cozy up to London, you’ll gain economic and military support in exchange for certain… “adjustments” to your sovereignty. Gradual territorial concessions and agreements on oil will ensure a steady flow of British investment, arming and industrializing Iraq under the watchful eyes of the Empire.


However, this road does not have to end in subservience. With careful diplomacy and statecraft, Iraq can leverage British support to expand Hashemite rule, either through the creation of a Hashemite Federation that unites Iraq and Transjordan, or by pursuing an even more ambitious vision—the restoration of the Hashemite Caliphate, using British backing to lay claim to leadership of the Islamic world.


Of course, the longer British troops remain in Iraq, the more resentment will fester among the people. Can you keep the monarchy secure, or will the streets of Baghdad boil over with nationalist fury?

[h3]The Coup of Bakr Sidqi[/h3]
For those who see Iraq’s reliance on Britain as a chain rather than an opportunity, there is another path—the military coup of General Bakr Sidqi. Historically Iraq’s first modern military dictator, Sidqi represents a new direction for the country.


By backing his coup, you can turn Iraq into an independent and militarized power, rejecting foreign interference in favor of forging an alliance with Turkey and Iran—the two other regional powers wary of British and Soviet ambitions. Together, these nations can stand united against imperialist forces, ensuring their survival in a world dominated by global giants.


This path requires careful diplomacy and a willingness to challenge British influence while avoiding outright war until you are ready. If played correctly, Iraq can become the dominant force in the Middle East without being anyone’s pawn.

[h3]The Golden Square Coup: A Pan-Arab Uprising[/h3]
Then again, why stop at simply kicking out the British when you can set the entire Arab world on fire?

By supporting the Golden Square, a group of radical officers inspired by fascism and Arab nationalism, you can overthrow the Hashemite monarchy and transform Iraq into the spearhead of a new Pan-Arab movement. Historically, this coup led Iraq into a short-lived war with Britain, but with the right moves, you can turn it into something much greater.


By throwing your lot in with the Axis, you can rally the Arab world against imperialist powers, using German support to launch military campaigns aimed at unifying the Middle East under Iraqi rule. With enough ambition (and firepower), you could redraw the map entirely, casting aside the artificial borders left behind by the colonial powers.

However, the enemies you make along the way will not take this lightly. Can you survive the wrath of the British, the Turks, and the Persians long enough to build a truly united Arab state?

[h3]Black Gold and Industry: The Future of Iraq[/h3]
Regardless of which path you take, one thing remains true—Iraq sits atop one of the most valuable resources in the world.

The oil fields of Iraq can be exploited to fund rapid industrialization, equipping your armies and fueling economic expansion. However, how you wield this wealth depends on your political situation.


British-aligned Iraq will see much of its oil wealth siphoned off in exchange for industrial and military aid. A militarized independent Iraq will need to develop its own petroleum industry, relying on domestic initiatives to fuel its growth.Meanwhile fascist Iraq aligned with the Axis can use oil as leverage, trading with Germany and Italy to secure weapons and infrastructure.
Oil is both a blessing and a curse—manage it well, and you will have the means to build a modern nation. Fail, and Iraq could become an imperialist puppet once more.

[h3]Relations with Britain: A Delicate Dance[/h3]
The defining factor in Iraq’s fate will be how you handle your relationship with the British. Every path—monarchist, militarist, nationalist—hinges on whether you cooperate with London, cautiously distance yourself, or declare open war.

Tolerate the British, and you can leverage their support for Iraq’s modernization.
Resist them diplomatically, and you may carve out an independent position without bloodshed.
Defy them completely, and you had better be ready to fight. An enraged Britain has the means to crush Iraq if provoked too soon so timing is everything.

[h3]Final Thoughts[/h3]
Iraq is a nation brimming with potential and danger. Sandwiched between great powers, blessed with vast oil reserves, and divided between competing political movements, it is a country poised for either greatness or destruction.

Whether you choose to guide the Hashemites to glory, back a military dictatorship, or forge a radical Arab empire, Graveyard of Empires offers players the chance to rewrite Iraq’s fate.

Which path will you take? Will you play the loyal subject, the cunning strategist, or the revolutionary firebrand? Let us know in the comments below!

Until next time—may your oil flow freely, and your enemies tremble before you!



If you haven't already, check out the Expansion pass by clicking here, or the picture above!

Toot

And Welcome, this week we'll be taking a looking at the Alt History paths for the RAJ, so without further ado..

[h3]Forward Bloc[/h3]
If you go down the League Against Gandhist, and proceed down the Forward Bloc plan you will end up with Subhas Chandra Bose as its leader. This is a more militant stance towards the British, with the end goal of leading a war of independence.

The War against the British will start when you complete Give Me Blood And I Will Give You Freedom, and which states join you in the civil war will be determined by how big the resistance is.


The idea is that you are using the resistance system to agitate the local population against British rule, flipping the resistance system on its head. The higher resistance is at the start of the civil war, the more people will join you.

This can be increased in two ways: you can promote resistance in a certain state.


But you can also undo your own cores to further boost resistance.


These will be re-cored once the independence war starts

If you know your history, this will trigger the British government to try and arrest Bose. You can make him leave India for a time, and he will begin his famous journey avoiding arrest.


Should you for some reason not let him go on the run, he will start the civil war imprisoned, and you can free him by controlling the British aligned India's capital. In this case he ended up in Karachi


When you go to the war for independence the UK will enter against you as well, but with some tricks you can make it simpler. For example you can infiltrate the closest English possessions and try to take control.


You can also do what Bose did historically, and ally with the Japanese. They will then try and help you out, joining your side when the time is right.


This picture below is what an actual war might look like


I have also gained control of a lot of close ports, which I plan to use for my Japanese naval bombers gained from a previous focus to take potshots at convoys.


When you successfully capitulate UK-aligned Raj you get the option of white-peacing out, so that you don't need to be stuck in an endless war.


After having kicked out the English you are now free to decide between keeping Bose, or changing leaders to Vinayak Savarkar.

[h3]Hindutva[/h3]
The Hindutva branch focuses on forming Akhand Bharat, or Greater India. It is an expansionist route where you try to take control of all key states, with a tiered formable.

How it works is that you target a country and instantly gain cores on all those required states. You will not be able to continue claiming more countries until you control every state that you previously claimed.


For example when I claim Burma I get cores on them instantly, but I cannot continue on my quest until I control all Burmese states.

To help with this, Sarvakar has attack bonus on cores that he claims, can justify quicker, but most importantly you are able to build up your Hindu militarism as a spirit via focuses.


Once all is said and done you can finally form Akhand Bharat


This gives him a nice trait, but also reduces Agrarian society by about 1/3 instantly.


[h3]Netaji[/h3]
If you want to, you can also keep Bose as leader.


Here you seek to extend India's security zones, eventually (probably) coming into conflict with China.


Ever the pragmatist, you can also seek aid from the USSR, and model some of your economy on theirs.


You also get to decide how to rule your country, either under a more militaristic authoritarian style, or under a guided democracy, where you still retain control over the country, but there is a semblance of elections. At the end your goal is to liberate the subjects from British rule.


[h3]Reds in the Shadow[/h3]
Going back a bit, if you go to the right (sorry!), you can find the communist path. Historically the communist movement was suppressed by the British, so they were forced to remain in the shadows.


On this path you are stacking your cabinet with communists, trying to get enough support for communism, and kicking off a Royal Navy Mutany (inspiration) which eventually escalates into you taking control over India.


This doesn't result in a direct confrontation with the UK, but it does lead to religious people leaving India, creating a more powerful Pakistan as they consider it to be more stable. Britain will also start funneling economic aid to Pakistan, trying to counter increasing Communist influence in the area. Pakistan on this path serves as a tertiary antagonist whom you eventually want to take out.


At first you enter a truce with Pakistan, but you can eventually annex it, coring the subcontinent at once.


If successful, Pakistan might have acquired more industry from the British, indirectly strengthening you.

You can also mold your 5 year plan, in a similar way to the USSR, or lean more towards an Indian form of socialism.


[h3]The East India Company[/h3]
Taking a step back, at the start of the game the Raj now starts with the Great Depression, similar to other TfV trees like Australia and Canada. This is removed quite early on in the Industrial tree going down the Independence path, but you also have a mutually exclusive choice to make, to deal with the depression immediately.


This means tying the price of the rupee to the sterling, which drastically reduces the negative effects of the depression, causing the Raj to turn volatile due to monetary chaos.


Here, you can look to the future. Realizing that the price controls eventually will fail, you can lobby the British parliament to sell off parts of India to private investors, to reduce government spending on trying to stabilize the continent.


You are no longer playing as a country, but as a company.


This comes with some unique gameplay mechanics. How do you like them taxes?!


You are beholden to the tax office since you are, well, a corporation. As such you need to pay income tax. At the end of every fiscal year (starting when you complete the EIC focus), you get slotted into a tax bracket (⬆️).

For example I have one civilian factory, which means that I get slotted into the first tax bracket, and I get to pay 0% taxes. Should I go up to 9 civilian factories, I will need to pay 15% taxes during the next fiscal year. (this is as consumer goods).

As you might see, having more civilian factories might be a detriment. For example, if the end of the fiscal year is coming around, and I have 30 civilian factories, It might be better for me to remove 1 factory and get slotted with 30% consumer goods, than 60%. There are different ways of using these civilian factories, so pay close attention, because we are going to commit tax fraud. (by the way, only controlled civilian factories in states count for this, so not traded, offsite civilian, factories from subjects, mils or dockyards)


So, how can we basically commit tax fraud? Well first off, every fiscal year you can pay dividends to investors if you want to. This will remove certain civilian factories for a boost for the entire year. So you are basically paying investors dividends, which means they invest more for the next year.


You can also use civilian factories to outright buy land. This is cheaper for the Indian subcontinent than say, a state in the USSR. It is also how you eventually will gain control over the states you "lost" at the start of the game diplomatically.


When you gain enough control you also get focuses to boost puppets, meaning they give you way more industry.


Later on in the tree you can shuffle your factories into your puppets as well, meaning you can funnel away some of your factories.


And then buy back the land for yourself if you'd like.


Later on in the tree you will also be able to reduce the amount of taxes paid by expanding tax loopholes.


And also increase the tax brackets, meaning you can stay in the same (low) tax bracket for longer


When you buy enough of the RAJ, you can annex the rest, effectively seizing control over the subcontinent, with the end goal of finally becoming fully independent from London.

Here you can either crush your Anathema, the Communists, or go after your old overlords, the British. You can also now core owned states with a massive influx of civilian industries, locked behind compliance. This is cheaper in Indian core states, which is how you eventually regain all your cores.


To the left of the tree you can form your own private military, where your volunteers get civilian factories for fighting in foreign wars.


To protect your interests and trade routes, you can also focus on building a flagship by gathering different prerequisites


[h3]The Mughal Empire[/h3]
At long last, we end with the restoration of the Mughal Empire. As with the EIC path, it begins with price controls going wrong, but instead of looking to the future, you look for stability in the past.

You achieve this by stirring discontent in the Northern parts of Pakistan.


You then break away, far from Delhi where authorities can't really get to you. Subsequently you get to choose a Peacock prince for your new empire, with any of the princes included in the DLC.


This is also the path where you get the new unique unit, the elephantry, an evolution of the camelry and cavalry.


This path is much more conquest focused, with choices between expanding into the Indian sub-continent or north into Afghanistan, the Wakhan corridor and onwards to Mongolia


You can also gain help from the princes to reclaim the sub-continent from the British


When you declare war against the Loyalist Raj they will rise up with you, as your puppets.


They will then join your court as advisors


One optional thing in this path is rebuilding a new Silk Road by connecting your country to the road that ran from Asia to Europe. This is a tiered formable that goes up to Sinkiang from Afghanistan, into China through the Warlords, and then into Europe from either Iran-Turkey or through the USSR, or the Sea route into Venice.


When you complete all the tiered formable decisions, you become the Silk Road Empire


This is an example of all the core states gained once fully completed.

I will leave it here, but finally I'd like to especially once again give a shoutout to Aveebee and pdx_lily who have helped immensely. I'd also like to give a shoutout to the art team juggling my art requests, and to the QA team, especially IterumLuna for managing everything.

Thank you all, and see you in the graveyard!
Toot