The strategies of World War 2 can be quite complex for new players of Hearts of Iron 4 (HOI4). One common method of exerting control without direct annexation is to create a puppet state.
Having a puppet in HOI4 gives the player significant influence over their territories and government, essentially turning them into AI assistants.
How to Release Puppets in HOI4
When players refer to “releasing a puppet” in HOI4, it can mean one of two things:
- Release conquered territories as a vassal state
- Release a puppet from under your control, allowing them to be independent
Here is how to accomplish both of these goals:
How to Release Puppets From Occupied Territories
Note: The ability to free conquered territories and turn them into puppets in HOI4 requires the Together for Victory DLC. Without the DLC, only independent nations can be created from conquered territories.
If you have the Together for Victory DLC, here is the process for releasing puppets from your conquered states in HOI4:
- Access the Political menu by clicking on the flag of your country or pressing Q on your keyboard.
- Click on the Occupied territories button located underneath the ruling party icon.
- Select the nation you want to release as a puppet and press the “Release Nation” button.
- Ensure that the “Release as puppet” option is enabled in the pop-up window.
- Click the Release Nation button to set the country free under your rule.
If you do not have the Together for Victory DLC, the option to release conquered territories as puppets will not be available, and only independent states can be created.
Puppets released in HOI4 will initially have autonomy levels based on the player’s government type. It is possible to integrate them shortly after release, gaining access to their Military Factories.
How to Release Puppets From Under Your Rule (Make Them Independent)
Fortunately, there is no need for additional DLC to release puppets from your control.
The Autonomy system, once tied to the Together for Victory DLC, is now available without it. Players can release and annex puppets in HOI4 without the DLC.
To release puppets from under your rule in HOI4 and make them independent, simply increase their Autonomy to the next level.
The most effective methods to increase their Autonomy include allowing them to join your wars, accepting lend-leases from them, and importing resources from them. All of these actions will contribute to increasing their Autonomy.
Once their Autonomy reaches a certain level, they will advance to the next Autonomy level and eventually declare their independence without player intervention.
Without the Together for Victory DLC
Players without the Together for Victory DLC will likely have only one Autonomy level, which is “Puppet.” Lowering Autonomy will lead to direct annexation or release by increasing Autonomy, with fewer levels available compared to the DLC version.
That’s everything you need to know about how to release puppets in Hearts of Iron 4 (HOI4)!
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