Land | Doctrines Hearts of Iron IV Guide
Last update: 01 February 2017
It goes without saying that the majority of military actions you will be taking in the game will take place on land. Also, this is the only way to conquer enemy territory, so you do not have much choice here. Four individual variants of this type of doctrines have been prepared, and they are meant to expand the array of your options.
Depending on the tree, there are various variants available, and they exclude each other. At any moment, you can change your variant from this point, but you lose all of the technologies that have been thus far developed. Out of the four available doctrines, you can only use one at a time, so you should make your choice wisely. The below chapter should make it easier to pick the doctrine that will harmonize with your playing style.
Mobile warfare
The main goal of this doctrine is to wage war basing on vehicles. Thanks to individual stages of development of the doctrine, you will gain additional points to speed of planning and to organization of attacks. It goes without saying that overwhelming majority of modifiers will provide you with bonuses to breaking enemy positions, which will increase effectiveness of expansion and of taking better positions. Development of this doctrine also reinforces infantry and, in individual variants, it allows you to increase the number of people of military age.
This one is an important variant for all the players who focus on using vehicles and small infantry divisions. Also, defense advantages from the doctrine are important, which in certain situation affect development of guerrilla actions.
Superior firepower
This doctrine affects artillery actions. It is a good choice for those of the nations that have high manpower, because this doctrine excludes mass use of infantry divisions and focuses on gradual clearing of the territory that can be later seized by infantry. Main firepower is focused on lightweight units, so the doctrine is especially effective against nations that rely on infantry for their strength. Also, the doctrine includes increasing the effectiveness of planning and organization of action, but also reinforces reconnaissance and actions of mechanized units.
Also, this is good solution for all those who prefer to lay fire on the enemy in the first place, using cannons and air-raids, to enter with infantry later on to finish out remnants.
Grand battle plan
In the case of this doctrine, the majority of works focus on increasing the effectiveness of planning wartime actions. Insubordination and lack of organization and are out of question here. All of the aspects of the attack need to be carefully pre-planned, entrenchment of your units is more effective and you receive higher bonuses from development of battle plan. Also, lower consumption of supplies should be noted here, regardless of whether you are the attacker or the defender - you always come prepared.
This doctrine is a sound solution for those of the players that like meticulous defining of frontlines and who like seizing areas after actions have been planned in detail. This doctrine concerns all of the land units and this is what makes it an universal one. Especially for those of the players that value diversity of units, rather than focus on any of their types.
Mass assault
What makes this doctrine interesting is that it combines elements of all the remaining three. Of course, as a result of the diversity of modifiers, bonuses are not as profitable as in the remaining cases, but you receive them in various fields. This one is an universal model of actions, especially useful are reductions of shortage of supplies, which considerably limit demand. This mainly affects effectiveness of overseas invasions and effectiveness of cutting through enemy lines along narrow corridors. In such cases, distribution of supplies is highly limited and doctrines that you use allow you to maintain effectiveness of armies, in spite of shortages.
This option is good for all players that do not want to wait for too long to see effects of their actions. Mass mobilization of soldiers and attacking on several sides simultaneously is in this case key to success.