Dominating Hearts Of Iron 4 As France [By Blood Alone Dlc]

This video is a complete guide to forming OP France in Hearts of Iron IV. I have added timestamps and a guide below. If you enjoyed this video please consider subscribing to my channel as it takes a lot of time to make these videos. Cheers!
Focus Tree Build-
1. Revive the national block
2. Utilize the leagues
3. The council of rambouillet
4. Revize the constitution (takes a year)
5. Intervene in the spanish civil war (send 5-6 units, grind as much xp as posible)
6. Begin rearmament
7. Laisses-faire
8. Economy devolution
9. Defensive focus (wait 15 days)
10. Repeal the law of exile (gets rid of disjointed goverment)
11. Methodical battle
12. Fortification focus
13. Alpine fort
14. Extend the maginot line
15. Army reform
16. Protect the rights of man
17. The blum viollette proposal
18. Expand the citicenship
19. Encourage inmigration
20. Promote Entrepenuership
21. Stimulate The Dynamic Market
22. Devalue The Franc
23. Develop the Metropole
24. Invest in Metropolitan France
25. Industrial Expansion
26. Support the Grandes Ecoles
27. Develop the Colonies
PP Buy-
1. Alphonse Georges (Army Maneuver)
2. Allow covert volunteers
3. Silent Workhorse
4. Send Attache to China
5. Partial Mob
6. Military Theororist
7. Army Offense
8. War Industrialist
9. Commando Expert
10. Army Logistics
11. Artillery Designer
12. Technocrat
13. Gaurontee independence of the Netherlands
14. Total Mob/ Women In the Workforce
Tips for the Build:
*You need to go local police force and select 5-6 good division d´infanterie with full equipment for the spanish civil war, the rest of your forces turn them into brigade coloniale
*Excercise your troops for 3xp, and make a crap tank for mp garrison. If you can make them crapier better
*Ask for lend lease from your colonies if you run out of equipment during war
Construction: Build Mils Only [port in NA and train tracks next to Belgium right before WWII]
Starting Production Build:
- 4 on gun/ 21 empty,
- 1 on tank/ 1 empty.
- Keep everything else the same
Nov 22nd 1937 Production-
- 15 on AA
- 5 on Support Equipment
- 5 on Artillery
Spanish Civil War-
1. Allow Covert Intervention
2. Send Volunteers (including air)
3. Ban Covert Intervention
4. Unpause
* Use Alphonse Juin for your general
Spy agency:
To agents to Germany Before WWII
2 Passive Defense
1 Form The Department
2 Decription
Army Comp-
Juin To NA and Sardinia w/ Division d'infantrie
Olry to Alpine Line w/ Division d'infantrie
Upgrade general to infantry expert
Field Marshal battle plan on Belgium
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#hoi4 #hoi4guide #heartsofiron4

[@Superiocrates]

Was playing Uk-France game with brother who found ur vid right as we started, now we are holding yipeeee

[@TheCredfield]

They said My France was weak

[@ESG1]

Not so...

[@reddwynmerriweather6961]

They were sadly mistaken !!!

[@pillbox2079]

Dankus reference.

[@garyjohnson3252]

Thank you for putting the info on tech tree, PP buys, etc. into the notes! You're the first that I've seen to do it and it makes the guide SO much more valuable. Subbed, clicked, and liked!

[@ESG1]

Thanks man! I'll try to keep doing that then.

[@garyjohnson3252]

What do you do if you get the Communist event instead of the Election one? @@ESG1

[@ESG1]

Restart, lol. I'm not a communist player.

[@garyjohnson3252]

lol, yeah, that's what I thought. Thanks!@@ESG1

[@ESG1]

Thanks for the membership!

[@lightunicorn1371]

I am sure that this is a great guider but the editing is super hard to follow way to many jump cuts with no expanation for such a tight walkthrough

[@MrShigwell]

Great video - would love to see something similar for UK. Have always struggled with them . Keep up the great content !

[@prpgameplay9268]

Way to go bro i was looking for a france tutorial thank you

[@ESG1]

Glad I could help

[@stalker14071a]

Thanks a lot for such detailed guide, really helps a lot!!!!

[@df8340]

Nice! Great tips here, and hopefully with enough time you’ll get a chance to do a Bulgaria one at some point.

[@michaelashbrook5807]

Only major thing Id recommend is putting a mil or two on train production at some point before the war. My trains got absolutely decimated by air in northern Italy, even though I was winning the fighting. I was able to hold Belgium line easy, and was pushing into Italy (since they had like no troops on the alps)

[@andrew3203]

SIgh, there was still an ongoing battle in Dalmatia, which meant 1 territory was occupied by an enemy division. You could tell by that green bubble...

[@zichwander8394]

1:29 that's Corsica just up north Sardigna, i'm wachting this from this island. Continue the great work !

[@ESG1]

Thanks for the correction!

[@zichwander8394]

@@ESG1 Thanks for your help, I have always been struggling with France as i was mostly playing defensive. Thanks to you i'll try to play a more offensive France !

[@dracorawth8962]

Hey thanks for the extensive guide ^^ sorry it was so messy for you

[@ESG1]

No worries, part of the fun

[@garyjohnson3252]

In my first playthrough, where I got to war in 1939, I realized I pushed too hard in Spain, and they won way earlier than in your playthrough. Need to grind XP more than help them win faster. Left me without enough army XP to get the army command modifiers and down the doctrine tree. And, of course, I got the early doctrines too early since I followed what you did. lol

[@jacobbertram4388]

1100 hours into this game and I just now learn shift+left click selects all unassigned units lol

[@notcrazy6288]

How have you survived?

[@sahilhossian8212]

Lore of HOI4- OP France- Complete Guide [By Blood Alone DLC] Momentum 100

[@ESG1]

Should I change the title to that?

[@kolly54321]

Thanks for explaining. I still lost the spanish civil war and got plowed through by Germany.....

[@Stouzough]

Interesting strategy, but I don't catch the switch to Mass Assault doctrine: Grand Battleplan would have work as good, and Superior Firepower even better. But that's interesting to see coupled with your infantry templates. I'd also fine tune air force/navy to focus on less zone / higher efficiency. As your tactics: losing territory and then circling the intruder was brilliant, that's probably how you could rush victory by 1940. Otherwise, quite tough to do so fast.

[@garyjohnson3252]

Someone else may have mentioned this, but it seems as soon as you go the empire route and you're no longer "France", the EU option goes away, regardless of what territories you own. Just have to get the peace deal right next time. 🙂 Speaking of which, I'd love to see a re-do of this where you get the EU formed.

[@ESG1]

Good suggestion.

[@ryanmurphy1662]

What's the rationale for the Manuever guy as opposed to just hiring the Offense guy and banking the 50 towards more stuff? They're both avail, I don't understand how 5% speed does enough to merit hiring him for what amounts to a year.

[@ESG1]

You are right, it's not as good. In hind sight I would go with the offense guy right off the bat. Can't remember if he is available right off the bat though.

[@garyjohnson3252]

How did you intend to set up the field marshall command for the Belgian border? I see 49 divs assigned to it, but what are you doing with the other armies?

[@ESG1]

Germany will come through Belgium. The other armies should be holding forces if I get your meaning. All armies need a battle plan to get planning bonus. The divisions don’t need to be assigned to the battle plan to receive the planning bonus.

[@garyjohnson3252]

I watched your Adv. Planning Guide vid, so I think I understand what to do, just not how you assigned your armies in the France guide. Obviously, the purple army is on the Maginot, are the rest on the Belgian border, just "unassigned" to the FM plan?@@ESG1

[@garyjohnson3252]

On another note, the Netherlands didn't call me to arms, so, I guess I have extra time to prepare. lol

[@HomeCookOtaku2003]

I want to thank you very much for this, sir. I tried running your guide on expert AI insane difficulty twice under different variables and the results are stunning. On my first run, I followed your guide all the way to the start of WW2, with the exception of the crap troops in the maginot. It actually stopped the Germans dead in their tracks on Belgium. Italy lost North Africa within the week and I lost one tiny bit of the Alps to them at the same time. The AI kept attacking me and by the end of the 1943, they lost something like 2 million in total in exchange for my 600k. Manpower recovery was an issue though and I figured that I'd eventually lose the war of attrition. The second run involves me going the Communist route instead of the national bloc, I got noticeably less factories than before, and when the fighting starts, I got only 96 divisions up Belgium instead of 120. Losses are roughly equal to the Axis but curiously, I was somehow able to maintain a steady flow of reserve manpower at 2.5m. It's probably because I used ideological loyalty but anyways, we stalemated all the way to 1945 and I can't push into German soil while the Axis could do jack to me. Italy still lost North Africa, but a few days more than a week this time. Both times, to accommodate for Expert AI's love for tanks, I also added support anti-tank companies into the infantry template you provided. I'd say the greatest contributing factor to France's survival is the gureilla tactics, the width decrease allows multiple divisions to fight at once, and basically hold individually stronger enemy divisions long enough for them to lose org. The hard attack available also messed the Panzers considerably. The only problem, I'd say, is that it only allows France to survive when in Expert AI. Because they just don't budge, and the mass assault tactics ends up very miserably for France. At one point in both situations, I ended up stopped building mils and started a mix of civs and docks. I felt that if I can't win in the ground, I'll win in the seas. I also lessened to production of rifles, Arty and AA and began ramping up plan productions. As stockpiles were enough to last for years at that point. Still, even after all that, It's probs too late as the Axis do have a significant edge over me in the tech department. Other than that, this guide really does show that France is a very viable major faction. Thanks for this!

[@ESG1]

NP, good to see that it works with expert AI.

[@HomeCookOtaku2003]

@@ESG1 I do have a question though, it's definitely a non-historical route too. Going to wiki, I saw that it's actually possible to merge France, Spain,, Portugal AND Brazil into the Kingdom of Franco-Spain. But it involves a few things. First, Portugal must make the Kingdom of Portugal and brazil. Second, Spain must win the carlist civil war. Third Both sides must agree to form Iberia afterwards. After that, and France goes the right-middle route, forming the Kingdom of Franco-Spain gives you core on all the aforementioned nations. My actual question is how likely do you think this is possible under a non-historical game. Because the only time I managed to successfully do this is to do some intense micro-managing by constantly switching between the four countries.

[@ESG1]

I've heard of this, never on non-historical mode though. I have to admit I have never once played non-historical, so I can't offer any advice.

[@platyFR]

Man i thaught that was a live awe mannnnn.

[@HelicopterShownUp]

The blue text, lol - nice guide tho, thanks!

[@deinemutter4809]

unlucky i cant follow up with what u did with the navel shipps on 4:26

[@ESG1]

This has been a long time but I would put a navy on strike force in the med and the channel. Then a smaller navy along both coasts to add shore bombardment to the troops fighting along the coast.

[@user-yc3cm8op2x]

for "proclam the empire" need have the by blood dlc ?

[@ESG1]

Not sure about "proclaim the empire," but the France update was with the La Resistance DLC.

[@user-yc3cm8op2x]

@@ESG1 but for have napoleon IV its the by blood alone for this ?

[@user-yc3cm8op2x]

@@ESG1 why did you play france with the title "by blood alone" but you also used La resistance

[@ESG1]

Napoleon IV comes with the La Resistance DLC. I used By Blood Alone in the title because that is the latest DLC. I also am playing with all the dlc's enabled.

[@reddwynmerriweather6961]

AAAAAAAAUGGGGhhh! I joined the allies! Stoopid Redd!

[@reddwynmerriweather6961]

Do not join the allies ... I feel so ashamed. I ruined the Efficient Credfield strat.

[@Oberschutzee]

Is it worth to use this tactic in Horstorical mod mp?

[@ESG1]

Not an expert in that mod but it is worth a try. You don't have to worry about AT or Air. The manpower and low combat width that you get from mass mob is OP. I would build my industry in NA.

[@samotter9509]

I dont understand the template, how do you deal with German tanks

[@ESG1]

CAS ignores armor

[@monki311]

Why do I cant send air volunters 😢?

[@ESG1]

U need a DLC, maybe Man The Guns?

[@farkasszabo7505]

Tried to follow as close as possible and still lost on the easiest difficulty :D I guess I'm still not skillful enough to follow an edited sometimes 'jumpy' guide. At least I got to live until the war started this time :D

[@ESG1]

Sorry to hear that man. It’s a tough build.

[@wimvhaastere7504]

Dont know if anyone has said this already but the text is unreadable, specially the blue text. Try use a white border around the text or use a diff color :)

[@ESG1]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll use a better color scheme next time.

[@wimvhaastere7504]

@@ESG1 no problem, I know its just a slide and a small part of the video, just wanted to give u the feedback :)

[@jeremyglass4283]

I don't think you need the tanks or local place force when you start the game with 0% resistance and 70% compliance, I would just go straight to local autonomy, you already have so much compliance that resistance never really gets going, especially because you are democratic.

[@ESG1]

Probably unnecessary, but it was the build I was given. You do get some benefit though. Credfield claims it is absolutely necessary.

[@hhhhhhh45626]

does it matter is i dont have the by blood alone dlc?

[@ESG1]

It should not, the France update was with La Resistance.

[@hhhhhhh45626]

@@ESG1 I have a problem with the air attack on Spain, I barely get any air experience since I have no air supremacy, therefore my bomber isn’t doing anything. Does it have anything to do with the BBA dlc?

[@ESG1]

It doesn't, you have to use tac bombers and place them in areas where there are ground attacks going on. Also spread them out as much as possible and give them extra ground crews with your command power.

[@hhhhhhh45626]

@@ESG1 thanks man, I’ll try out again later

[@pillbox2079]

Thank you for the video! As for the EU, you need to be democratic. Also, you could put some music while you speed up the playtrough so that it is not just silence.

[@ESG1]

Channel voted for no music. Had to go Napoleon to get the rest of Italy.

[@pillbox2079]

@@ESG1 That is silly. With music is so much better. :D

[@ESG1]

@@pillbox2079 The people have spoken...

[@Dishcharge88]

@ESG Livestream of France?

[@ESG1]

May live stream a world conquest of this save.

[@Dishcharge88]

@@ESG1 Awesome, Look forward to it!

[@Anonie324]

This is... *really* unorthodox. No line artillery in the main infantry template, Mass Assault, super late Silent Workhorse, Professional Officer Corps instead of Relief of Command, railway guns, guaranteeing the Netherlands when they will join the Allies upon declaration anyhow, intervening in Spain, getting destroyed at the Maginot... How is this OP?

[@ESG1]

Try it and find out

[@rtchac4185]

I’m still trying to learn the game, and I would’ve preferred a lot less fast forwarding and a lot more explanation. Tips seem good though.

[@ESG1]

Noted! I have begginer video's as well. Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ7NdoCpoZWEj9k

[@rtchac4185]

Thanks. I’ll check it out

[@lordxxx8493]

instructions unclear, lost all divisions in the spanish civil war

[@ESG1]

Attention, this is command. Send more divisions to Spain! It is imperative that u train your troops properly. The Hun are clever strategists and we don’t want to be caught slipping. Over….

[@platyFR]

But ayy 15th person