[HOI4 Modding] Using Variables

This lesson will explain how to create, change and use variables in Hearts of Iron 4. It will also explain how to use variables in localization and check their values with the in game console.
Timestamps for this tutorial/lesson:
00:00 - Lesson Start
00:19 - Lesson contents
02:18 - Basic of variables
06:28 - When to use variables
09:20 - Basic commands
14:11 - In game examples
------- Extra Syntax -------
32:36 - Using variables in localization
37:28 - Using variables as even targets
40:51 - Using temporary variables
44:29 - Using random variables
Useful links:
Iron Workshop Discord server: / discord
My twitch channel: / playerhoi
Hearts of Iron IV wiki modding page: hoi4.paradoxwikis.com/Modding
HOI4 Wiki Variables page: hoi4.paradoxwikis.com/Variables
If you would like to contribute to make the Iron Workshop better you can do so on Patreon: / playerhoi
Here are the download links to the various tools used during The Iron Workshop lessons/tutorials.
Notepad++ Download: notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/
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[@generalbashar2256]

BTW when you open up the console you can hit the up arrow key to have the console put in your last command even from a different mod or game launch, just so you don't have to type in the command over and over again.

[@TheMacke9]

Thank you so much for your modding videos! They are incredibly useful and have helped me loads with my modding adventures. This video made me finally understand how paradox variables work.

[@DaredeviIGR]

Hey man, first of all thanks for these videos. Really useful when I started a couple months ago. Currently I am pretty used to stuff like these, but I'd still like to ask. On 8:15 you mention using variables as a cooldown. I imagine a on_daily is used under certain conditions? How heavy is on_daily_TAG in general? I am so afraid to use it because I fear I will rely upon it.

[@TheIronWorkshop]

As long as you don't overuse it it should be fine, limiting the effect with an if statement is highly recommended and you can also use on_weekly to make it less painful... While it won't look as good as a daily ticker it can be worth it.

[@DaredeviIGR]

@@TheIronWorkshop Yea basically that was my doubt. Does the if case actually minimize the performance loss, or considering you have to check ifs every day you still suffer a lot anyways I wish there was a way where i would completely stop an on_daily after a point, without even the need to go through its if clause.

[@ParasaurolophusEwan]

Hoi4 modding help needed: i have a state modifier that is added by a decision, but for some reason it keeps deleting itself after one ingame day!

[@Freef_01]

I've already heard it's impossible but I wanna ask anyway: Is there a way to combine a variable and a String/Text? I want to try making a random main menu theme on game startup, so I had the idea to make different main menu music files with a number at the back, then in the music.asset file do something like file = "mainmusic" + var:random_music + ".ogg"

[@cirianar]

Could you make a video about how to mod interfaces?

[@mota478]

I want to create a dynamic modifiers like the soviet have with their The red army buff

[@trihermawan9553]

Quick question, how can u spawn a naval unit through national focus? I mean the land units was pretty straightforward because there's many example of them in vanilla focus tree, but I can't seems to find any navy unit

[@TheIronWorkshop]

Same way, your OOB just needs to contain naval units.

[@trihermawan9553]

​@@TheIronWorkshop tried it, but it wont spawn, i used create_unit syntax and copy the ships from OOB. this is the syntax that i tried : random_owned_controlled_state = { prioritize = { 335 } create_unit = { ship = { name = "KRI Palembang" definition = battleship equipment = { ship_hull_heavy_1 = { amount = 1 owner = INS version_name = "Palembang Class" } } } } }

[@TheIronWorkshop]

Not this way, use the load_oob command and load an oob file that has the ships where you want them to be.

[@trihermawan9553]

@@TheIronWorkshop so first i have to create an OOB file in advance and name it for example INS_naval, and just type load_oob = INS_naval?

[@TheIronWorkshop]

Exactly

[@user-nm1jt7hz8x]

how do I add up two variables?

[@mhumanworldm]

How do I make dynamic modifiers?

[@muse5722]

Any chance of a return to eu4 lessons?

[@TheIronWorkshop]

I am in the process of renewing the EU4 lessons and will probably have some new lessons posted too

[@adama.4521]

Please i have prb i dont can publique my mod in steam

[@killerking1987]

of course you would have an nft picture.