Hearts of Iron IV Romania DLC adds new political paths

Paradox is developing a Hearts of Iron IV focus pack focused on Romania. The content will add new political, economic and military paths when the country starts in 1936. Paradox has not announced a release date, but expects the pack to arrive soon.

The project is being developed with modders Norrman, Marjin and Alex. They have played the game since shortly after its 2016 release and have more than four years of modding experience.

Romania begins the game near the peak of its territorial expansion. Its borders include regions with different histories and populations, creating internal disputes and the risk of conflict on several fronts. Players will decide how to integrate those regions and whether to give priority to the pre-World War I Old Kingdom or the territories added later.

The political tree includes Romania’s ties to the Little Entente with Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, along with the Balkan Pact involving Greece, Turkey and Yugoslavia. Players can follow a historical path based on Romania’s shifts between several ideologies or support the Iron Guard while reducing the monarchy’s power.

The Iron Guard path can lead to a referendum and a change in government. It also offers options to expand Romania’s influence among countries with similar political systems. The changes can create opposition in parts of the country.

The economic tree offers an agriculture-focused route and a faster industrial path. The agriculture route builds on Romania’s role as the “Breadbasket of Europe.” It provides trade benefits, additional building capacity and more control over the late-game economy. Reforms will let soldiers return to farming during peacetime, reducing competition between military recruitment and food production.

This route provides fewer factories at no cost, requiring investment in economic growth and protection from early wars. Paradox has not disclosed a major farming-related mechanic. Norrman described it as a system that was “adjusted and improved based on your feedback.”

The Balkan Industrialist branch offers a shorter route to industrial development. It provides production bonuses during peacetime and lets players focus on diplomacy or military preparations with fewer economic systems to manage. The trade-off is weaker long-term economic potential and a greater need for rapid early growth.

The military branch will include ways to redirect industry when war begins. Future details will cover how Romania’s armed forces can help convert the economy to wartime production, along with additional alternate-history paths.

Paradox plans to take extra time with its next full expansion after the Romania project. The company has not provided a launch date for either the focus pack or the next expansion.