Faction

A faction is a coalition of nation states that are allied to each other.

Rules

A country may only create a new faction if the respective country rule is enabled. At the start of the game the three existing faction leaders  Germany, the  United Kingdom and the  Soviet Union, along with the  United States, have this rule. Other nations gain the capability to form their own factions through their national focus trees. Joining a faction is again limited by country rules. Depending on ideology and national spirits, countries need various amounts of world tension before they can join or ask someone to join a faction.

Faction members share military access with one another and see accurate intelligence in the diplomacy screen of their allies.

Factions rules can amend some country rules such as the ability to justify war goals on other countries of the same ideology or which actions are allowed in peace conferences.

Faction members can choose to leave a faction, but this causes a significant relations modifier faction traitor (-75 relations). A faction member cannot leave while fighting a war on the side of other members. The faction leader may kick another country out even while at war or disband the faction altogether if it contains no other members than themselves and their subjects. If the faction leader ceases to exist, the largest remaining member takes over.

If a country fights alongside major allies, it will only surrender once all of the majors in the faction have capitulated. For instance if Poland joined the Allies, it will not surrender before the United Kingdom and France capitulate, and will instead continue on as a government-in-exile.

Faction leader

A faction leader in HOI4 is the leader of a faction. The default faction leaders in-game are the  United Kingdom leading the Allies,  German Reich leading the Axis and the  Soviet Union leading the Comintern. They are usually joined by  Japan leading the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere, and  China leading the Chinese United Front.

If the faction leader ceases to exist, the largest remaining member takes over.

Diplomatic Actions

The faction leader may kick another country out even while at war or disband the faction altogether if it contains no other members than themselves and their subjects.

Assuming Leadership

To be able to take over leadership in the faction they are in, a country must:

• Have more than twice the deployed manpower of the faction leader (subjects count, but at varying strength depending on autonomy)
• Have more than 150% of the factories of the faction leader
• Be in every war the faction leader is currently in
• Not having capitulated already

After paying 200 Political Power, the country can become faction leader, with all the benefits it entails.

Allies

The Allies are the main democratic faction, led by the United Kingdom.

Members

1936	1939	Possible members
United Kingdom  Dominion of Canada  British Raj  Australia  New Zealand  South Africa  British Malaya	United Kingdom  Dominion of Canada  British Raj  Australia  New Zealand  South Africa  British Malaya  France	Poland  Belgium  Netherlands  Dutch East Indies  Luxembourg  Republican Spain  Denmark  Norway  United States  Philippines

Axis

The Axis are the main fascist faction, led by Germany.

Start date members

1936	1939	Possible members
Germany	Germany  Slovakia  Italy	Kingdom of Hungary  Romania  Vichy France  Bulgaria  Nationalist Spain

Comintern

The Third Communist International, abbreviated as the Comintern, is the main communist faction, led by the Soviet Union.

Start date members

1936	1939	Possible Members
Soviet Union  Tannu Tuva  Mongolia	Soviet Union  Tannu Tuva  Mongolia	Sinkiang  Republican Spain

Chinese United Front

The Chinese United Front is a smaller faction that may be formed by Nationalist China in order to unite the Chinese against the Japanese invaders. Note that it does not exist in the 1936 start date. The United Front will be formed by  China, which will annex the Warlords states (except Sinkiang) and  People's Republic of China will annex  Shanxi. With Waking the Tiger, the Chinese United front can be formed by  China with the focus 'United Front' and the Warlord cliques ( Shanxi,  Xibei San Ma,  Yunnan,  Guangxi Clique  Sinkiang) and  Communist China all then will join. Without the DLC, the faction is formed via events.

Start date members (Without Waking the Tiger)

1936	1939
–	China  Communist China

Start date members (With Waking the Tiger)

1936	1939
–	China  Communist China  Shanxi  Xibei San Ma  Yunnan  Guangxi Clique  Sinkiang

Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere (formerly known as Daitoa Kyoeiken) is a faction formed by  Japan by doing the focus of the same name. It's formed with the objective of creating a Pan-Asian bloc led by Japan.

Starting members

Start date members)

1936	1939	Possible members
–	Japan  Manchukuo  Mengkukuo	Siam  Italy

Other possible factions

All countries (except the  British Raj with Together for Victory) can acquire the ability to create factions through their national focus tree. In general, these have no default name, with the player choosing a name when inviting the first member. Several specific factions, inspired by counterfactual history, do have pre-set names, however, and are listed below.

Novus Imperium Romanum

The Novus Imperium Romanum (a mistranslation of 'New Roman Empire') is a faction that may be formed by  Italy after taking the national focus 'Italy First'.

Possible members

•  Italy (automatic)
•  Bulgaria (automatic)
•  Romania
•  Kingdom of Hungary
•  Japan
•  Manchukuo
•  Mengkukuo
•  Nationalist Spain
•  Portugal
•  Kingdom of Greece
•  Turkey
•  Yugoslavia

The Berlin-Moscow Axis

Can be created by the German Reich after the National Focus 'Alliance with the USSR', this alliance will be comprised of  Germany and the  Soviet Union.

Possible members

•  Germany (automatic)
•  Soviet Union (automatic)
•  Italy
•  Slovakia
•  Kingdom of Hungary
•  Romania
•  Bulgaria
•  Vichy France
•  Nationalist Spain
•  Turkey

Anti-Soviet Pact

If the  Soviet Union attacks a signatory of the Anti-Soviet Pact, Germany can create a faction of the same name.

Possible members

•  Germany (automatic)
•  Italy
•  Kingdom of Hungary
•  Finland
•  Bulgaria
•  Romania
•  Turkey
•  Kingdom of Greece
•  Japan
•  Manchukuo
•  Mengkukuo

Little Entente

The Little Entente is a faction that can be formed by  France with the 'Strengthen the Little Entente' National Focus. When this faction is formed, France won't join the Allies. Based on the pre-WW2 alliance with the objective of preventing Hungary rearming and/or a Habsburg restoration in Austria.

Possible members

•  France (automatic)
•  Czechoslovakia
•  Yugoslavia
•  Romania
•  Poland
•  United Kingdom
•  Dominion of Canada
•  South Africa
•  British Raj
•  British Malaya
•  Australia
•  New Zealand

Stresa Front

If  France chooses the focus 'Ratify the Stresa Front', they can form the alliance with  Italy and potentially the  United Kingdom.

Possible members

•  France (automatic)
•  Italy
•  United Kingdom
•  Dominion of Canada
•  South Africa
•  British Raj
•  British Malaya
•  Australia
•  New Zealand
•  Austria
•  Czechoslovakia
•  Poland
•  Yugoslavia

Międzymorze

Active with Poland's unique focus tree available through the free DLC with the 'The Between the Seas Concept' focus. It will be formed by  Poland and can be expanded to include the Baltic states. The faction has bases on the historical idea of the Intermarium, in Polish Międzymorze, a plan created by politician Józef Piłsudski in which the Eastern European countries that broke free from Russian control would create a federation between the Baltic and Black seas. In the game, however, the Międzymorze is only a military alliance.

Possible members

•  Poland (automatic)
•  Lithuania
•  Estonia
•  Latvia
•  Romania

Factions added in Together for Victory

Northern Sovereignty Coalition

If the  Dominion of Canada chooses to become independent from the  United Kingdom and become fascist it can either join the Axis or support fascism in  Mexico and create this faction with the focus 'Skewer the Eagle'. Doing this can give a favorable outcome in a war with the  United States.

Possible members

•  Canada (automatic)
•  Mexico

North-American Alliance

If the  Dominion of Canada remains democratic but becomes independent and leaves the Allies, it can form this faction with the focus of the same name and invite the  United States.

Possible members

•  Canada (automatic)
•  United States
•  Philippines

The South-West Pacific Initiative

An independent, democratic  Australia can form this faction with the focus of the same name and invite the  United States.

Possible members

•  Australia (automatic)
•  Dutch East Indies
•  United States
•  Philippines

Western Pacific Sphere

An independent, fascist  Australia can form this faction with the focus 'A Deal With Japan' and invite  Japan (if not in a faction).

Possible members

•  Australia (automatic)
•  Japan
•  Manchukuo
•  Mengkukuo

Daitoa Kyoeiken

An independent, fascist  New Zealand can form this faction with the focus 'Befriend Japan' and invite  Japan (if not in a faction).

Possible members

•  New Zealand (automatic)
•  Japan
•  Manchukuo
•  Mengkukuo

African People's Union

An independent, communist  South Africa can form this faction with the focus 'Union of the African People'. It has no default members and will have only South Africa at the game start, however, they can conquer colonies from  Portugal,  Belgium and the  United Kingdom to create puppets or free faction members.

Possible members

•  South Africa (automatic)
•  Kenya
•  Botswana
•  Zimbabwe
•  Angola
•  Mozambique
•  Zaire
•  Ethiopia

Factions added in Death or Dishonor

Balkan Defence League

If  Yugoslavia chooses to disunite, they can form this alliance with their former territories with the focus 'Yugoslav Defence League'.

Possible members

•  Serbia (automatic)
•  Montenegro (automatic)
•  Kosovo (automatic)
•  Macedonia (automatic)
•  Slovenia (automatic)
•  Kingdom of Croatia (automatic)
•  Bosnia (automatic)
•  Dalmatia
•  Herzegovina
•  Vojvodina
•  Principality of Transylvania

Pan-Slavic Worker's Congress

If  Yugoslavia becomes communist, it can invite fellow Slavic neighbors into this faction with the focus of the same name.

Possible members

•  Yugoslavia (automatic)
•  Bulgaria
•  Albania

Greater Balkan Worker’s Congress

Communist  Yugoslavia can turn the Pan-Slavic Worker’s Congress into this with the focus 'Pan-Balkan Initiative' and invite all Balkan countries.

Possible members

•  Yugoslavia (automatic)
•  Bulgaria (automatic)
•  Albania (automatic)
•  Romania
•  Kingdom of Hungary
•  Kingdom of Greece
•  Turkey

Union of Communist Soviets

If the  Kingdom of Hungary takes the focus 'The Revolutionary Council', they will form this faction.

Possible members

•  Kingdom of Hungary (automatic)

Czech Entente

An independent, democratic  Czechoslovakia can form this faction with the focus 'An Entente of Our Own' and invite  Romania,  Yugoslavia, and  Kingdom of Hungary.

•  Czechoslovakia (automatic)
•  Romania
•  Yugoslavia
•  Kingdom of Hungary

Pact of Rome

An independent, fascist  Kingdom of Hungary can invite  Austria and  Italy into this faction with the focus 'Alliance with Italy'. However, it is important to note that  Italy will still be able to form its own faction.

Possible members

•  Kingdom of Hungary (automatic)
•  Italy
•  Austria

Cordon Sanitaire

When  Romania chooses the focus of the same name, this faction will form, with  Poland and  Czechoslovakia being invited.

Possible members

•  Romania (automatic)
•  Poland
•  Czechoslovakia
•  Kingdom of Greece

Balkan Entente

If  Romania doesn't accept the Hungarian Rearmament they can create the Balkan Entente with  Czechoslovakia and  Yugoslavia.

Possible members

•  Romania (automatic)
•  Czechoslovakia
•  Yugoslavia

Balkan Pact

The  Kingdom of Hungary can create this faction by taking the focus of the same name and later invite  Romania.

Possible members

•  Kingdom of Hungary (automatic)
•  Romania

House Bernadotte

If  Hungary takes the focus 'Elect a Democratic King' and becomes democratic, they or  Sweden will get the option to form a faction if the other one is at war.

Possible members

•  Kingdom of Hungary (automatic)
•  Sweden (automatic)

Bucharest Accords

 Romania can create this faction after taking the focus 'Align Hungary' if they refuse submission.

Possible members

•  Romania (automatic)
•  Kingdom of Hungary

Factions added in Waking the Tiger

Central European Alliance

If the  German Reich chooses to oppose Hitler and reestablish democratic elections, it will eventually create the Central European Alliance with the focus of the same name in opposition to the Soviets and eventually offer membership to a number of non-fascist, non-communist countries across Europe.

•  Germany (automatic)
•  Austria
•  Czechoslovakia
•  Kingdom of Hungary
•  Yugoslavia
•  Romania
•  Netherlands
•  Dutch East Indies
•  Belgium
•  Luxembourg
•  Norway
•  Sweden
•  Denmark
•  Estonia
•  Latvia
•  Lithuania
•  Poland
•  Finland

Anti-Communist Bloc

The  German Reich can take the focus 'Tackle the Communist Threat' to create this faction.

Possible members

•  German Reich (automatic)

Central Powers

If the  German Reich chooses to oppose Hitler and reestablish the German monarchy, then it can form this faction with the focus of the same name and attempt to restore  Austria-Hungary and reestablish monarchy in  Italy.

•  German Reich (automatic)
•  Bulgaria
•  Italy
•  Austria-Hungary
•  Kingdom of Greece
•  Ottoman Empire

Asian Communist Solidarity

Can be created by  Japan with the focus of the same name.

Possible members

•  Japan (automatic)
•  Communist China

Mutual Assistance Bloc

If  Communist China decides to complete the focus 'Marxism With Chinese Characteristics',they will create this faction. Potential members are any communist nation in China, like  Sinkiang.

Possible members

•  Communist China (automatic)
•  Sinkiang

Government of National Defense

If  Communist China takes the focus 'Government of National Defense', they can form this faction with main China.

Possible members

•  Communist China (automatic)
•  China

The New International

If after  Japan completes the focus 'Join Comintern' the  Soviet Union is not in a faction or not communist, Japan will form this faction.

Possible members

•  Japan (automatic)
•  Soviet Union

The Old Alliance

If after  Japan completes the focus 'Rekindle the Old Alliance' the  United Kingdom is not in a faction or not democratic,  Japan will form this faction and invite the  United Kingdom.

Possible members

•  Japan (automatic)
•  United Kingdom
•  Dominion of Canada
•  South Africa
•  British Raj
•  British Malaya
•  Australia
•  New Zealand
•  Korea

The People's Front

If the  Soviet Union decides to support a warlord, and  Communist China doesn't accept defeat and they are separated by another country (typically  Xibei San Ma), that country may support  Communist China and form this faction.

Possible members

•  Communist China (automatic)
•  Xibei San Ma
•  Shanxi
•  Yunnan
•  Guangxi Clique

West Pacific Treaty Organization

If  Japan takes the focus of the same name, they will form this faction.

Possible members

•  Japan (automatic)
•  Korea

Factions added in Man the Guns

Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance

If the  United States takes the focus 'Hemisphere Defense', they will form this faction and automatically invite all Latin American nations of its ideology into it.

Possible members

•  United States (automatic)
•  Chile
•  Colombia
•  Costa Rica
•  Cuba
•  Ecuador
•  Haiti
•  Honduras
•  Panama
•  Philippines
•  Uruguay

Anglo-Italian Pact

If the  United Kingdom becomes fascist, they can invite  Italy to this faction with the focus 'Secure the Italian Alliance' if the  United Kingdom isn’t already in an alliance.

Possible members

•  United Kingdom (automatic)
•  British Malaya (automatic)
•  Italy (automatic)

British Communist Alternative

If the  United Kingdom becomes communist but doesn't align with the Soviet Union, they can form this faction with the focus of the same name.

Possible members

•  United Kingdom (automatic)
•  British Malaya (automatic)

Commonwealth of Nations

 Canada automatically creates and invites  Australia, New Zealand and to this faction if the  United Kingdom becomes fascist, communist or non-aligned.

Possible members

•  Canada (automatic)
•  Australia (automatic)
•  New Zealand (automatic)

The Coalition

 Canada can create this faction if the  United States becomes fascist and threatens British Columbia. It will invite friendly countries, especially those that are at war with the United States.

Possible members

•  Canada (automatic)

Coalition of Free Commonwealth States

If the  United Kingdom decides to decolonize but is at war alongside its former colonies against a common enemy, then one of its colonies (priority given to  Canada) may create this faction and possibly invite former colonies to it.

Possible members

•  Canada (automatic)
•  Australia (automatic)
•  British Raj (automatic)
•  South Africa (automatic)
•  New Zealand (automatic)

Hispanic Alliance

If  Mexico becomes fascist under the Gold Shirts, it can invite Latin American countries to this faction with the focus under the same name.

Possible members

•  Mexico (automatic)
•  Argentina
•  Brazil
•  Chile
•  Colombia
•  Costa Rica
•  Cuba
•  Dominican Republic
•  Ecuador
•  El Salvador
•  Guatemala
•  Haiti
•  Honduras
•  Nicaragua
•  Panama
•  Paraguay
•  Peru
•  Philippines
•  Uruguay
•  Venezuela

Bolivarian Alliance

If  Mexico becomes communist, it can invite Latin American countries to this faction with the focus of the same name.

Possible members

•  Mexico (automatic)
•  Argentina
•  Brazil
•  Chile
•  Colombia
•  Costa Rica
•  Cuba
•  Dominican Republic
•  Ecuador
•  El Salvador
•  Guatemala
•  Haiti
•  Honduras
•  Nicaragua
•  Panama
•  Paraguay
•  Peru
•  Philippines
•  Uruguay
•  Venezuela

4th International

If  Mexico becomes communist and take the focus 'Smash the Bureaucrats', they can form this faction.

Possible members

•  Mexico (automatic)
•  Communist China
•  Sinkiang
•  Paraguay

Community of Nations

If  Mexico becomes democratic and decides to take the focus of the same name, they can form this faction with the  United Kingdom if the  United Kingdom is not already in a faction.

Possible members

•  Mexico (automatic)
•  United Kingdom (automatic)
•  Dominion of Canada (automatic)
•  South Africa (automatic)
•  British Raj (automatic)
•  British Malaya (automatic)
•  Australia (automatic)
•  New Zealand (automatic)

Benelux

If the  Netherlands chooses to become democratic but doesn't align with Britain, it can form this alliance with the focus 'Form the Benelux' and invite  Belgium and  Luxembourg to this faction.

Possible members

•  Netherlands (automatic)
•  Belgium
•  Luxembourg

European Union

If the  Netherlands chooses to become democratic but doesn't align with Britain, it can form this faction with the focus 'Foundations for a European Union' and invite all democratic nations in Europe to this faction.

Possible members

•  Netherlands (automatic)
•  Belgium
•  Luxembourg
•  Denmark
•  Norway
•  Sweden
•  Switzerland
•  Ireland

Factions added in La Résistance

Latin Entente

 France can form this alliance with the focus of the same name if they go fascist.

Possible members

•  France (Automatic)
•  Italy
•  Spain /  Nationalist Spain
•  Portugal

Confédération du Rhin

 France under Napoleon VI can form an alliance with the German states with the focus 'Disunite Germany'

Possible members

•  France (Automatic)
•  Kingdom of Wurtemberg (Automatic)
•  Kingdom of Bavaria (Automatic)
•  Kingdom of Westphalia (Automatic)
•  Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein (Automatic)
•  Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg (Automatic)
•  Kingdom of Saxony (Automatic)
•  Kingdom of Prussia (Automatic)
•  Austria
•  Czechoslovakia

Legitimist Alliance

 France, after restoring the legitimate heir to the throne, can create this alliance with  Carlist Spain if he is also king of them.

Possible members

•  France (Automatic)
•  Carlist Spain (Automatic)

Anti-Fascist Bloc

Orleanist  France can form this alliance with the focus 'No Further Humiliations'

Possible members

•  France (Automatic)

Anti-Fascist Coalition

Communist  France can form this alliance with the focus of the same name if there is no Democratic or Communist faction in the world, inviting every democratic or communist country bordering them if they are not in factions.

Possible members

•  France (Automatic)
•  Belgium
•  Luxembourg
•  Switzerland
•  Spain
•  United Kingdom
•  Dominion of Canada
•  South Africa
•  British Raj
•  British Malaya
•  Australia
•  New Zealand
•  Liberia
•  Netherlands
•  Czechoslovakia
•  Romania
•  Yugoslavia

Paris Accords

Communist  France can form this alliance with the focus 'Loyalty to the Cause' and then can spread the revolution around them

Possible members

•  France (Automatic)

Latin Bloc

 Nationalist Spain can form this alliance with the focus of the same name and invite all latin countries

Possible members

•  Nationalist Spain (Automatic)
•  Portugal
•  Vichy France
•  Italy

International Bureau of Revolutionary Socialist Unity

Anti-Stalinist  Spain can form this faction with the focus 'Unify the London Bureau'

Possible members

•  Spain (Automatic)
•  Paraguay

Popular Front Bloc

 Portugal under communism can for this alliance with the focus under the same name, inviting every communist county in Europe to the faction.

Possible members

•  Portugal (Automatic)

Royal Iberian Alliance

 Portugal after completing the focus of the same name and  Carlist Spain agreeing, you can form this alliance.

Possible members

•  Portugal (Automatic)
•  Carlist Spain (Automatic)

Factions added in Battle for the Bosporus

Corfu Cooperative

A communist  Greece can form this faction by completing the focus 'Ally Tito', triggering a civil war in  Yugoslavia.

Possible members

•  Kingdom of Greece (automatic)
•  Yugoslavia (automatic)

Argos Alliance

Monarchist  Greece will form this alliance with  Austria-Hungary if the  German Reich hasn't restore the Kaiserreich.

Possible members

•  Kingdom of Greece (automatic)
•  Austria-Hungary
•  Turkey
•  Bulgaria

Balkan Federation of Socialist Republics

Communist  Bulgaria can form this alliance with the focus with the same name as a precursor to the  United Balkan Federation.

Possible members

•  Bulgaria (automatic)
•  Yugoslavia

League of Balkan Confederacies

Democratic  Bulgaria can form this alliance with the focus 'A Balkan Confederation' as a precursor to the  United Balkan Federation.

Possible members

•  Bulgaria (automatic)
•  Kingdom of Greece
•  Romania

Greater Bulgarian Federation

 Bulgaria can form this alliance with the focus 'The Fate of the Balkans'.

Possible members

•  Bulgaria (automatic)

Saadabad Concordat

The  Ottoman Empire can form this alliance with the focus 'Expand the Saadabad Pact'.

Possible members

•  Ottoman Empire (automatic)
•  Iraq
•  Iran
•  Afghanistan

Anti-Bolshevik Accord

 Turkey can form this alliance through the focus 'The Anti-Bolshevik Mediterranean Bloc'.  Republican Spain joins if not in the Comintern already.

Possible members

•  Turkey (automatic)
•  Spain

Covenant of the Mediterranean

 Turkey can form this alliance with the focus 'The Mediterranean Entente'.

Possible members

•  Turkey (automatic)
•  Italy
•  Bulgaria
•  Kingdom of Greece
•  Portugal
•  Nationalist Spain

Balkan Entente

 Turkey can form this alliance with the focus 'Reform the Balkan Pact'.

Possible members

•  Turkey (automatic)
•  Bulgaria
•  Greece
•  Romania
•  Yugoslavia

Generic faction names

The following names are used by AI countries when creating ad-hoc factions and have no particular historical background:

Democratic

• The <continent> Association
• The <continent> Entente
• The <faction leader> Concordat
• The <faction leader> Union
• <continent> Coalition
• <continent> Federation

Communist

• The <faction leader> Compact
• <continent> Syndicate
• The <continent> Combine
• The <continent> Pact
• The <faction leader> Bloc

Fascist

• Brotherhood of <continent>
• <continent> Group
• The <continent> League
• The <continent> Confederacy
• <continent> Confederation

Non-aligned

• <continent> Defense League
• The <faction leader> Congress
• The <continent> Alliance
• Confederate <continent> Nations
• The <faction leader> Coalition

Mechanics

Events

Events