Hearts of Iron 4 (HOI4) – What Do Nukes Do?

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What Nukes Do in Hearts of Iron 4

In Hearts of Iron 4, players have the opportunity to simulate their own conclusion to World War II, including the use of nuclear weapons. While we are all familiar with the real-life consequences of nuclear bombs, what happens when you drop one in HOI4 on top of your enemies?

Are there strategic reasons to use nukes, or are they simply a demoralizing tactic to lower war support and force capitulation? In this guide, we will explore the effects that nuclear bombs have on provinces, countries, and troops in the destroyed region in HOI4.

Table of Contents

What Do Nukes Do in HOI4?

When you drop a nuclear bomb on a province in HOI4, several significant effects occur:

  • All buildings in the province will have 0% HP.
  • All state buildings, including Infrastructure, Air Base, Anti-Air, and Radar Station, will lose random levels.
  • The enemy country can lose up to 20% War Support, depending on the amount of Victory Points the province has.
  • All units in the province will sustain random damage to organization and equipment, ranging from 10% to 90%.
  • All planes in the airport of that province will be instantly destroyed.
  • If you drop two nukes on Japan after capturing Okinawa or Iwo Jima and reducing their navy to less than 40 ships, they will have the option to instantly capitulate.

One of the most advantageous uses of nukes in HOI4 is their ability to instantly wipe out full air wings. If you target an airport with a large number of planes, you can eliminate a country’s entire air power.

This tactic is particularly effective in multiplayer games, especially if you are able to progress that far in your session. The introduction of nukes in 1945 forces players to be more cautious about how they allocate their planes within airports, ensuring they do not concentrate too many planes in a single province.

In addition to destroying air power, nukes can also be used to eliminate armies and easily encircle enemy forces. By strategically dropping them, you can weaken enemy troops on the frontline and push them back to your advantage.

Making Japan Surrender

In HOI4, players can force Japan to surrender by replicating the events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To achieve this, you must drop two nukes on the Japanese mainland after conquering either Okinawa or Iwo Jima, and ensure that Japan has fewer than 40 ships in their navy.

This tactic can be particularly useful when playing as the United Kingdom or the United States, as it allows you to quickly defeat one of the largest empires in the game. Therefore, in addition to forcing capitulation, nukes in HOI4 serve as a powerful tool to weaken enemy armies and destroy planes.

While nukes may not have the same game-changing impact as they did in real life, they certainly make gameplay feel much easier.

That’s everything you need to know about what Nukes do in Hearts of Iron 4! If you have any suggestions or feedback for this guide, please let us know in the comments below.