National focus

The game map, showing only countries with non-generic focus trees.

National focus trees serve as a replacement for the mixture of decisions and triggered events which directed countries in previous iterations of Hearts of Iron.

The focus trees allow the players (and the AI) to direct the development of their nation. Each country has a focus tree, representing a number of progression paths (branches) available to that nation. These paths may be based on actual historical situations or on alternative historical possibilities. The individual options can range from political, diplomatic and warfare-related focuses to more economic and research-related focuses.

Due to the semi-random nature of the AI it ensures that no two games will play out in precisely the same way. Players wishing to have a more historical-based campaign can choose to do so by ticking the Historical AI Focuses option on the country selection screen (map) just before the start of a new game. It is important to note, however, that player nations are not bound by this and as such their in-game actions can still force the AI to pick somewhat less than historical choices.

The seven great powers (and  Poland) have a unique national focus tree in the base game. Additional countries - as detailed below - received a unique focus tree as part of different DLCs. All other nations use the generic national focus tree.

Mechanic overview

The Generic national focus tree has 5 different branches.

Branches in a focus tree revolve around a common theme or goal with the individual focuses within intended to help in achieving that goal. Although branches are mostly isolated from each other, they will be connected (locally) if they happen to coincide over a common point.

Only a single focus can be taken at a time. A focus requires 70 Political power to complete at a progress rate of –1 Political power per day - this means a focus would usually be completed within 70 days. When completed, the player may go up to 10 days without picking a new focus and still have those days (and their accumulated Political power) count towards the new focus.

Aside from the branches' top level focuses, most other focuses have additional requirements in need of fulfillment before they can be picked. If a requirement of an on-going focus has become invalidated, the focus will either be paused until the requirement is restored (if possible) or outright be cancelled when such a thing is not easily possible. For cases such as the latter, focuses will have bypass conditions to allow the player to proceed past them - the player will be notified of the bypass within a few days (they will display a golden bracket as if completed regularly). For example, Motorization Effort can be bypassed if the Motorized Infantry technology has already been researched beforehand.

Once a focus has started, the player can't manually stop or replace it, unless the player has the Man the Guns expansion. If, due to circumstances, the focus has been invalidated, the resources already spent are lost. As such, it is immensely recommended to check all requirements and conditions regarding a focus to assess if/how they may be affected within its completion time-frame.

Accessing a focus' expanded details can be achieved by clicking or hovering over the focus. Among the information presented there are: the flavor description, its requirements, bypass conditions (if applicable) and the expected completion effects.

Visual indicators

• Bracket color - Players can check at a glance a focus' completion status by the background color of its name bracket. Grey bracket means available for picking, brown bracket indicates as of yet unavailability and golden bracket denotes completed focuses. On-going focuses will feature a shining overlay effect over them.

• Connection lines - Focuses are connected by colored lines. The color indicates whether its preceding focus is completed (green) or not (light-blue). The connection may also appear as a solid or dotted line, with the former indicating a logical AND and the latter a logical OR. For example, to pick Special Forces would require all 3 of the focuses preceding it while picking Technology Sharing requires only one of the 2 preceding it.

• Mutually exclusive - Some focuses may have the mutually exclusive icon appearing in-between them. The icon denotes that only one of two may be selected. Further more, depending on the focuses outgoing connections it may also exclude from picking any of the focuses connected to them further down the line. For example, choosing between Collectivist Ethos or Liberty Ethos will make any of the other side's subsequent connected focuses unavailable for picking up until Technology Sharing (linked to both sides by an OR connection).

Continuous focus

The continuous focus panel.

Main article: Continuous focus

A continuous focus is a special type of focus that is unlocked once 10 regular focuses have been completed. There are a total of 9 continuous focuses available.

Having an active continuous focus comes at the expense of pursuing a regular focus as only one focus can be picked at a time regardless of its type.

As opposed to a regular focus which provides one-time effects, the effects of a continuous focus benefit the nation whilst the chosen focus remains active. An active focus requires a maintenance cost of –1 Political power per day. The focus can,however, be deactivated or switched with another at any time for no additional cost.

National focus trees

Base game trees

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Generic tree

Generic national focus tree.

Main article: Generic national focus tree

All nations lacking a unique national focus tree use the generic national focus tree instead.

The generic focus tree has 5 main branches:

• Army Effort gives army experience and research bonuses to army research.
• Aviation Effort gives air experience, builds air bases, and research bonuses to air research.
• Naval Effort gives navy experience, builds naval dockyards, and research bonuses to navy research.
• Industrial Effort builds civilian and military factories (usually even if building slots are already full)and grants extra research slots.
• Political Effort gives the country choices on which political path they will take.

Note: The generic focus tree also acts as the default tree for nations which received a unique focus tree in a DLC if said DLC is not enabled.

France

French national focus tree.

Main article: French national focus tree

 France, as one of the seven major powers, got a unique national focus tree.

The French national focus tree can be divided into 5 branches and 7 sub-branches:

Devalue the Franc Branch

This branch offers the possibility to develop Metropolitan France and the overseas colonies, as well as add two more research slots.

Begin Rearmament Branch

This branch, which focuses either on defensive or offensive expansion of the military. The defensive focuses give army and fortification bonuses while the offensive focuses give army and air bonuses. They end with the shared focus Army Reform which removes the starting national spirit  Victors of the Great War.

Form the Popular Front/Revive the National Bloc Branch

This branch develops French industry. The left side of the branch adds factories to various states, completely removes Inefficient Economy and leads to the communist sub-branch. The right side of the branch develops construction speed, manipulates party popularity, and leads to the fascist and monarchist sub-branch. Both sides lead to the historical democratic sub-branch of the focus tree and Intervention in  Spain decisions.

Invite Communist Ministers Sub-branch

This sub-branch allows France to become Communist, gain manpower and political power. The Reconciliation section gives stability and political power. It leads to the Anti-Fascist coalition section which allies with neighboring or Balkan Communist and Democratic nations and manpower. The Revolution to the Utmost gives war support and a civil war. It leads to the Loyalty to the Cause section which gives war goals against the  United Kingdom,  Spain,  Germany and  Italy. Both the Reconciliation and the Revolution to the Utmost leads to the Loyalty to Moscow section which allows France to join the Comintern. This section and the Anti-Fascist coalition section leads to a focus that gives war goals against all neighboring Fascist nation.

Leftist Rhetoric Sub-branch

This sub-branch is only available if the La Résistance DLC is not enabled. This allows France to become Communist.

The Blum-Viollette Proposal Sub-branch

This sub-branch allows France to core Algeria, gain non-core manpower and compliance or lose the national spirit Full Employment. Depending on the choice of the colonies, the French Union focus allows France to annex and core its colonies or increase resistance.

Review Foreign Policy Sub-branch

This sub-branch allows France to either create the Little Entente with  Czechoslovakia,  Yugoslavia,  Romania or  Poland, support  Finland in their war, join the Allies or create the Stressa Front with the  United Kingdom and  Italy.

Utilize the Leagues Sub-branch

This sub-branch allows France to become Fascist, gain claims on various nations and make alliances with other European nations. The Latin Entente section allows France to ally with  Spain,  Portugal and Italy for French Somaliland, gain claims on  Greece and war goals on  Germany,  Belgium and the  Netherlands. The Towards a New Europe section allows France to join the Axis, gain claims and war goals on  Belgium and  Canada. Both sections lead to war goals claims and subjugation on the Middle East.

The Council of Rambouillet Sub-branch

This sub-branch restores the French monarchy from either the House of Orléans (Orléaniste), Bourbon (Légitimistes) or Bonaparte (Bonapartiste). The Orléanist section gives war goals against  Germany and  Italy. The Légitimist section gives an alliance, an annexation or wargoal on  Spain. The Bonapartist section gives war goals against  United Kingdom,  Belgium,  Netherlands,  Germany and the  Soviet Union. It also has a focus to split  Germany into 7-9 different countries.

Right Wing Rhetoric Sub-branch

This sub-branch is only available if the La Résistance DLC is not enabled. This allows France to become Fascist.

Naval Rearmament Branch

This branch includes focuses which grant experience and research bonuses that improve the navy.

Air Focus Branch

This branch includes focuses which grant experience and research bonuses that improve the air force.

If  France capitulates to the  German Reich, it will be divided into  Free France and  Vichy France, with both regimes receiving a unique national focus tree as part of the La Résistance expansion. Without the expansion,  Free France retains the French national focus tree, whereas  Vichy France utilizes the Generic national focus tree instead.

Free France

Main article: Free French national focus tree

Free France's unique focus tree has 2 main branches:

Refus Absurde Branch

This branch focuses on cultivating resistance in the occupied French territories, as well as making it harder for the occupiers to gain compliance.

Appeal To the French Nation Branch

This branch focuses on recovering a measure of war capacity and contesting with  Vichy France for control over the French overseas territories, so as to lay the groundwork for the ultimate restoration of  France.

Vichy France

Main article: Vichy French national focus tree

Vichy France's unique focus tree has 1 single branch:

Emergency Powers To Petain Branch

This branch focuses on rebuilding and revitalising a war-torn  France with the ultimate objective of reasserting control over all occupied territories, either by collaborating with the  German Reich, or by actively fighting against them.

Germany

German national focus tree.

Main article: German national focus tree

 Germany, as one of the seven major powers, has a unique national focus tree.

The German national focus tree can be divided into 6 branches and 3 Sub-branches:

Four Year Plan Branch

This branch improves  Germany's industry, adds a research slot, builds fort lines around Europe and allows the creation of puppets.

Air Innovations Branch

This branch improves  Germany's air force and speeds up research of nuclear weapons and rockets.

Army Innovations Branch

This branch improves  Germany's land forces and allows for an alliance with the  Soviet Union.

Rhineland Branch

The Fascist branch allows war with the  Soviet Union, and friendship with  China or  Japan. It leads to the Anschluss sub-branch with more annexation and war options.

Anschluss Sub-branch

This sub-branch under the Rhineland branch allows  Germany to annex several states and to ally with or declare war on several countries.

Naval Rearmament Branch

This branch improves  Germany's navy and befriends Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands.

Oppose Hitler Branch

This branch allows  Germany to remove Adolf Hitler as leader via civil war and pursue a democratic or non-aligned path. It requires Waking the Tiger.

Return of the Kaiser Sub-branch

This sub-branch restores  Germany's monarchy under Wilhelm II, gives war goals against the  British and the  French, and allows for restoring the  Italian and  Austro-Hungarian monarchies; Germany can also choose to be subordinate to the  British and to fight against communist  France. It also allies with eastern nations in order to fight the communist threat of the  Soviet Union. It requires Waking the Tiger.

The Monarchy Compromise Sub-branch

This sub-branch creates a type of constitutional monarchy; it can happen under both Kaisers Wilhelm II and Wilhelm III. It creates a faction with  Austria,  Czechoslovakia,  Hungary,  Yugoslavia,  Romania,  Netherlands,  Belgium,  Luxembourg,  Norway,  Sweden,  Denmark,  Estonia,  Latvia,  Lithuania,  Poland, and  Finland in order to fight the  Soviet Union and other communist forces. It also adds one more research slot than the regular five slots and gives boosts to nuclear technology. It requires Waking the Tiger.

Italy

Italy's national focus tree.

Main article: Italian national focus tree

 Italy, as one of the seven major powers, gets a unique national focus tree.

Italy has an interesting national focus tree with five different branches:

Ethiopian War Logistics

A smaller tree which focuses on industrial build up.

Army Primacy

Strengthens your army research.

Mare Nostrum

The big naval strengthening tree.

Light Ship Focus

Destroyer & Submarine benefits.

Triumph in Africa

The big political and diplomatic tree, where you have lots of different choices on who to befriend and conquer.

Japan

Japanese national focus tree.

Main article: Japanese national focus tree

 Japan, as one of the seven major powers, has a unique national focus tree.

The Japanese national focus tree can be divided into 7 branches:

The Unthinkable Option Branch

The Communist branch and is organized around the idea of establishing a Communist state in Japan with the possibility of either joining the Soviets or forming a faction with the Chinese Communists. It requires Waking the Tiger.

Purge the Kodoha Faction Branch

The historical Fascist tree, it focuses around the aggressive conquest of China, Indochina, Indonesia and the Philippines and an alliance with Siam.

National Mobilization Law/ National Defense State Sub-branches

Two Sub-branches that is used for both the Purge the Kodoha Faction Branch and the Support the Kodoha Faction Branch. It Increases economy law and allows Kamikaze Strikes.

Support the Kodoha Faction Branch

The Non-Aligned Branch is focused on building up to a war with the  Soviet Union and joining the  German Reich's faction.

Strengthen the Civilian Government Branch

The Democratic branch starts a civil war with the fascists and installs a Constitutional Monarchy. It also liberates  Korea, the  Philippines and allows Japan to puppet or annex  Dutch East Indies,  British Malaya or Indochina. It requires Waking the Tiger.

The Manchurian Project Branch

If  Manchukuo is a subject, this branch expands  Manchukuo's Industry.

Army Expansion Law Branch

This branch expands  Japan's army while also giving it the Bicycle Infantry, a unique unit for Japan.

Fighter Modernization Sub-branch

This sub-branch expands  Japan's Airforce and connects to both the Army and Naval branches.

New Naval Estimates Branch

This branch expands  Japan's naval research and industry.

Poland

Polish national focus tree.

Main article: Polish national focus tree

 Poland gets a unique national focus tree as part of a free DLC. If the DLC is not enabled, Poland will use the generic national focus tree instead.

The focus tree can be divided into 5 main branches:

Central Region Strategy - The Four Year Plan

This branch offers the possibility to develop the nation's infrastructure and factories as well as enabling up to two additional research slots.

Prepare For The Next War

This branch has options to keep pace/modernize the Polish ground forces with/ahead of its neighbors.

Air Base Expansion

This branch includes focuses which grants several research bonuses to improve aircraft. The first focus of the branch adds an air base.

Develop Polish Ship Building

This branch includes focuses which grants several research bonuses that could potentially specialize or widen the range of ships available for service soon. Includes research bonus for naval doctrine advancements.

Strengthen The Polish State

This branch contains various diplomatic focuses and focuses to change the ideology of the government. This branch has mutually exclusive choices that enables the player to forge an alliance or create one of its own.

Soviet Union

Soviet national focus tree.

Main article: Soviet national focus tree

 Soviet Union, as one of the seven major powers, has a unique national focus tree.

The Soviet focus tree includes four, both historical and alternative, branches:

• Finish the Five Year Plan focuses on development of infrastructure and factories
• Stalin Constitution focuses on manpower and research
• Found the PCDI is the main diplomatic tree that focuses on international relations
• Permanent Revolution / The Great Purge focuses on internal restructuring to unlock the full power of the Soviet Union.

United Kingdom

British national focus tree.

Main article: British national focus tree

The British national focus tree can be divided into 5 main branches and 6 distinct sub-branches:

Cryptologic Bomb/Limited Rearmament Branch

This branch gives technology research bonuses, factories and an extra research slot.

General Rearmament Sub-branch

This sub-branch gives air and naval research bonuses along with providing a collection of air bases and dockyards.

Reinforce the Empire Branch

This branch is centered around the industrial development of the colonies and the fortification of key territories, with the ultimate end goal of creating an Imperial Federation, which will have the United Kingdom annex all the colonies and gain cores on their territories.

Encourage Colonial Elite Sub-branch

The "Fortify East Asia" side of the sub-branch focuses on developing in Asian colonies, influencing  China and gaining a war goal against  Japan. The "Commonwealth Ties" side focuses on developing the Dominions, Autonomy or Independence for the  British Raj and forming the Imperial Federation.

Mediterranean Bastion Sub-branch

This Sub-branch focuses on the development of the Mediterranean colonies, coercion of Balkan countries and  Turkey, and gaining a war goal against  Italy.

Steady As She Goes Branch

The Democratic branch of the Focus tree. The UK will stay democratic and maintain the current government structure.

Home Defense Sub-branch

This Democratic sub-branch focuses on intervening against (and puppeting) the Scandinavian and Benelux countries, securing  Iraq and  Iran, and eventually war with the  Soviet Union and  Germany.

Revisit Colonial Policy Branch

This Branch focuses on decolonization, which effectively amounts to dismantling the British Empire, with some colonial territory kept as puppets, in exchange for getting more manpower and industry in the British homelands, and allowing the UK to concentrate on dealing with European affairs.

Global Defense Sub-branch

This Democratic sub-branch focuses on placing Winston Churchill into power early, ending appeasement, eradicating pacifism and mobilizing the country for war followed by gaining war goals against countries with oil, Major European countries who caused World tension, and allowing justification against other Democratic countries.

A Change in Course Branch

This branch focuses on changing the government structure of the UK by switching the ideology of the government to Monarchist, Fascist or Communist.

• The Monarchist path focuses on setting up King Edward VIII as an absolute monarch, allying with  Germany and gaining war goals against  Italy and the  Soviet Union. This path also allows the United Kingdom to gain a war goal against the  United States to reinstate British rule by installing an American monarchy.
• The Fascist section focuses on securing alliances with other European fascist nations against  Germany. The "God Save The King" section is shared with the Monarchist path and focuses on retaking the Dominions after they gain independence and gaining a war goal to annex the  United States.

Concessions to the Trade Unions Sub-branch

The Communist sub-branch will cause the United Kingdom to become communist and opens up the choice between allying with the  Soviet Union or forming a new faction and then moving on to turn other European nations to communism, with the end goal of going to war with  Germany and the  United States and installing puppet regimes in each. It also forces the  United Kingdom to take the decolonization focus and complete it within 2 years of becoming communist as otherwise a civil war will break out.

United States

American national focus tree.

Main article: American national focus tree

The American national focus tree can be divided into 4 branches and 3 Sub-Branches:

Continue the New Deal/ Reestablish the Gold Standard Branch

This branch allows the United States to remove the effects of the Great Depression, increase research, change political leanings or increase production. The closer the focus is to the edge of the branch, the more Communist or Fascist the focus is while the closer to the center, the more Democratic the focus.

Suspend the Persecution Sub-branch

The Communist sub-branch. It focuses on changing the political party to under threat of Civil War, allying with other Communist Factions and decolonizing the Pacific. It requires Man the Guns.

America First Sub-branch

The Fascist sub-branch. It focuses on changing the political party to under threat of Civil War and gaining war goals against other American countries and all other major powers. It requires Man the Guns.

War Plans Division Branch

This Branch mainly gives the the United States decisions that give attack and defense bonuses against certain countries.

War Department Branch

This Branch gives army and air technology research boosts

Two Ocean Navy Act Sub-branch

This Branch gives naval technology research boosts and production cost modifiers

Together for Victory trees

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Australia

Australian national focus tree.

Main article: Australian national focus tree

 Australia, along with other nations of the British commonwealth, gets a unique national focus tree as part of the Together for Victory expansion. Without the expansion, Australia utilizes the Generic national focus tree.

The Australian national focus tree can be divided into 7 branches:

Additional Militia Training Branch

Focuses on providing research bonuses for Land Doctrines, Infantry equipment, Support Companies and Armour.

Expand the RAAF Branch

Focuses on improving the Air Force, including research bonuses for aircraft and air doctrines.

Cockatoo Island Shipyards Branch

Looks to upgrade the Australian Navy, focusing on ship and naval doctrine bonuses.

Standard Gauge Railway/ Industries Assistance Corporation Branch

Form a joint tree focusing on improving infrastructure and industrial capacity.

Establish Advisory War Council Branch

Acts as a domestic politics tree, providing means to lift the country out of the Great Depression, and additional research slots.

Support the Policy of Appeasement Branch

Keeps Australia within the Allies, providing access to Commonwealth technology sharing bonuses.

Never Another Gallipoli Branch

Causes Australia to leave the Allies, giving further options to remain a Democracy, or to realign with either Fascist or Communist ideologies.

British Raj

British Raj's national focus tree.

Main article: British Raj national focus tree

 British Raj, along with other nations of the British commonwealth, gets a unique national focus tree as part of the Together for Victory expansion. Without the expansion, the British Raj utilizes the Generic national focus tree.

The British Raj has a unique focus tree with 3 main branches:

Provincial Elections

Focuses on gaining independence and modifies the debilitating national spirits of the British Raj.

Lessons of the Great War

Focuses on expanding the army, establishes the air force and gives elite infantry divisions.

Great Indian Peninsula Railway

Focuses on building infrastructure, naval dockyards, and gives extra research slots.

Canada

Canada's unique NF tree (part of the Together for Victory expansion).

Main article: Canadian national focus tree

 Canada, along with other nations of the British commonwealth, gets a unique national focus tree as part of the Together for Victory expansion. Without the expansion, Canada utilizes the Generic national focus tree.

Canada's unique focus tree has six main branches:

Industrial and Internal Politics

A large, interwoven tree that serves to increase industrial capacity, resource availability and to lift the country out of the Great Depression. This first part of the tree is the most powerful, but most of it is locked behind War Bonds and Defense Regulations, which respectively require war and some world tension. These focuses should be picked as they become available to start the industrial expansion. Another key focus is Commit to War, which is necessary for any conscription law above Volunteer Only and mitigates the Great Depression penalties. Finally, the Canadian player must choose between Send In the Zombies to significantly increase their manpower pool, or National Steel Car to unlock their full industrial potential.

Army Modernization

The ground forces branch. Focuses on research bonuses for infantry, armor, artillery and support divisions. Requires Send In the Zombies from the industrial tree for the last focus tiers.

Strengthen the Commonwealth Ties

The historical path. Keeps Canada within the Allies, providing bonuses to Commonwealth technology sharing and other buffs to industry and resources.

Patriation

Canada severs ties with the United Kingdom, thereby allowing allowing Canada to leave the Allies. The first, democratic branch builds an alliance with the United States; the others are the fascist and communist paths. A notable option in the fascist branch is to bring Mexico over to fascism and mount a two-pronged invasion against the United States.

RCAF Station Borden

Provides bonuses to radar, aircraft and air doctrine research.

Halifax Shipyards

Focuses on the Canadian Navy, giving bonuses to ship model and naval doctrine research.

New Zealand

New Zealand's unique NF tree (part of the Together for Victory expansion).

Main article: New Zealand national focus tree

 New Zealand, along with other nations of the British commonwealth, gets a unique national focus tree (part of the Together for Victory expansion). Without the expansion New Zealand utilizes the Generic national focus tree.

New Zealand's unique focus tree has five main branches:

The First Labour Government

Acts as the political tree, providing both a means to deal with internal issues, and mutually exclusive branches on whether to remain within the Commonwealth, or to push for Independence as a Democratic, Fascist or Communist country.

Transfer the New Zealand Division

Focuses on developing a navy through construction of dockyards and bonuses to ship and naval doctrine research.

Expand the NZPAF

Provides bonuses to aircraft and air doctrine research.

National Roads Board

Acts as the industrial tree, buffing industrial capacity, resource extraction and research slots.

Army Reforms

Focuses on bonuses for Infantry, Armour and Artillery, and construction of military industry capacity.

South Africa

South African national focus tree.

Main article: South African national focus tree

 South Africa, along with other nations of the British commonwealth, gets a unique national focus tree as part of the Together for Victory expansion. Without the expansion it utilizes the Generic national focus tree instead.

South Africa's unique focus tree has 6 main branches and 2 sub-branches:

War Measures Act/Support the Policy of Appeasement

This branch focuses on war preparations, mustering  South Africa's industrial capacity as well as constructing strategic defensive forts. The other half of the branch reinforces cooperation with the rest of the Commonwealth.

Abandon Westminster

This branch focuses on independence from the Commonwealth, with a choice of becoming either a Fascist or Communist country.

Support the Afrikaner Broederbond

The Fascist sub-branch. This branch opens the possibility to switch to fascism by starting a civil war. The player can go for greater cooperation with the  German Reich, which comes with substantial benefits, or start a faction of its own, with a policy of revanchism targeting the  United Kingdom. In either case, former British king Edward VIII can be selected as the head of state.

Empower the Workers

The Communist sub-branch. One path aligns  South Africa with the  Soviet Union. The other is the most unique of the focus tree, Anti-Colonialist Crusade:  South Africa declares war on the colonial powers to liberate Africa from their rule.

South African Railways

This branch focuses on improving infrastructure, expanding industrial capacity, and providing additional research slots.

Special Service Battalion

This branch provides bonuses to weapons, artillery and land doctrine research.

Commit to the Five-Year Plan

This branch provides bonuses to aircraft and air doctrine research.

Seaward Defense Force

This branch focuses on the navy, giving bonuses to ship models and naval doctrine research.

Death or Dishonor trees

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Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakian national focus tree.

Main article: Czechoslovakian national focus tree

 Czechoslovakia, along with three other nations situated between the  German Reich and the  Soviet Union, gets a unique national focus tree as part of the Death or Dishonor expansion. Without the expansion, Czechoslovakia utilizes the Generic national focus tree instead.

Czechoslovakia's unique focus tree has 7 distinct branches:

• Fortification Studies: This centers around land fortifications needed to successfully defend against German aggression. Note that some foci in this section set the fort level in provinces instead of adding extra forts. Building forts is not advised, as they will be overwritten when a new fort level is set.
• Industrial Legacy: This provides Czechoslovakia with additional factories and industrial bonuses.
• Political Direction: Here Czechoslovakia is given options for steering politics & diplomacy towards one of the major factions or a faction of its own.
• Strategy Decisions: These foci are similar to the political section but provide more interaction on cessions and research sharing.
• Land, Air & Naval Branches: Each section is devoted to one branch of military power and research. Note that the Naval branch cannot be started until Czechoslovakia gains a coastal province

Hungary

Hungarian national focus tree.

Main article: Hungarian national focus tree

The  Kingdom of Hungary, along with three other nations situated between  Germany and the  Soviet Union, gets a unique national focus tree as part of the Death or Dishonor expansion. Without the expansion, Hungary utilizes the Generic national focus tree instead.

The Hungarian national focus tree can be divided into 3 branches and 6 sub-branches:

• Political Branch

This branch allows Hungary to change its political stance.

• Strengthen the Monarchists Sub-branch

This branch allows Hungary to elect a Democratic, Fascist, or a Habsburg King and could potentially re-create the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

• Strengthen Fascists Sub-branch

This branch allows Hungary to become Fascist and create Greater Hungary and either join the Axis or create their own faction with Italy.

• Council of People's Commissars Sub-branch

This branch allows Hungary to become Communist and join the Comintern.

• Industrial Revitalization Branch

This branch allows Hungary to develop its industry and unlock research slots. One of its sub-branches is connected to the Establish the Air-Force sub-branch.

• Secret Rearmament Branch

This branch allows Hungary to cast off the Treaty of Trianon and start researching military tech.

• Establish the Air-Force Sub-branch

This sub-branch allows the research and licensing of the Airforce.

• Army Maneuvers Sub-branch

This sub-branch gives research bonuses for various types of Army equipment.

• Naval Warfare Sub-branch

This sub-branch deals with the Navy but requires that Hungary controls a coastal state as they lack one in 1936.

Romania

Romanian national focus tree.

Main article: Romanian national focus tree

 Romania, along with three other nations situated between  Germany and the  Soviet Union, gets a unique national focus tree as part of the Death or Dishonor expansion. Without the expansion, Romania utilizes the Generic national focus tree instead.

The Romanian national focus tree can be divided into 7 branches:

Preserve Greater Romania Branch

This Branch allows  Romania to join the Comintern, Axis or Allies or create the Cordon Sanitaire with  Poland and  Czechoslovakia. Unlike other focus trees, the separate ideologies in this tree are not mutually exclusive.

Industry Sub-branch

This branch allows  Romania to develop its industry. To start this branch, one must start the "Preserve Greater Romania" or the "Balkans Dominance" Branch.

Balkans Dominance Branch

This branch allows  Romania to puppet, annex, split or declare war with  Bulgaria, Greece, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Hungary or  Czechoslovakia.

Institute Royal Dictatorship Branch

This Branch handles the King and political ideology popularity. the ideologies are not mutually exclusive with each other.

Expand the Airforce Branch

This branch allows the research and licensing of the airforce.

Army Maneuvers Branch

This branch gives the player free division templates and a general as well as army research.

Expand the Galati Shipyards Branch

This branch researches the navy.

Yugoslavia

Yugoslavian national focus tree.

Main article: Yugoslavian national focus tree

 Yugoslavia, along with three other nations situated between  Germany and the  Soviet Union, gets a unique national focus tree as part of the Death or Dishonor expansion. Without the expansion, Yugoslavia utilizes the Generic national focus tree instead.

Yugoslavia has a unique focus tree with 5 main branches:

• Western Focus / Recognize the Soviet Union branch is the main political branch and the choice of what path the player wants to take, joining either of the main three factions.
• Industrialization Program branch builds up the country, gives resources and factories, improves infrastructure and gives the option of focusing more on the main Serbian provinces or improving the country equally.
• Modernize the Air Force branch improves the air force and builds military factories for aircraft production. The player can choose between producing their own aircraft or licensing foreign ones from other countries.
• Army Modernization branch expands the army and gives bonuses for army research.
• Expand the Shipyard branch expands the navy to better protect the homeland and gives bonuses for naval research.

Waking the Tiger trees

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China

Chinese national focus tree.

Main article: Chinese national focus tree

 China gets a unique national focus tree in the Waking the Tiger expansion. Without the expansion, China utilizes the Generic national focus tree instead.

China's unique focus tree has 4 main branches:

Three Principles of the People

Focuses on the internal social affairs of the nation and regional political relations.

Military Affairs Commission

Focuses on military and fortification reform.

Unified Industrial Planning

Focuses on economic and technological build-up of the nation.

Invite Foreign Investors

Allows for expansion of foreign investment aimed at increasing Chinese power. This branch is shared with  Communist China and  Manchukuo.

Chinese minors that destroy or displace the Chinese national government and declare themselves the legitimate government will adopt this national focus tree. Players of Chinese minors should review their own focus tree and that of Nationalist or Communist China when planning their game.

Communist China

People's Republic of China national focus tree.

Main article: Communist Chinese national focus tree

The  Communist China gains a unique national focus tree in the Waking the Tiger DLC. Without this DLC enabled, Communist China uses the Generic national focus tree instead.

The Communist Chinese national focus tree can be divided into 3 branches:

Strengthen the Central Secretariat Branch

This Branch allows  Communist China to either befriend the  Soviet Union, join with  Nationalist China, or go an independent path.

Land Redistribution Branch

This Branch allows  Communist China to increase research slots, increase their popular support, and deal with External Politics.

The Yan'an Base Area Sub-branch

This Branch allows  Communist China to deal with the  Japanese threat, ally and infiltrate  China, and increase military power.

Invite Foreign Investors Branch

This Branch allows  Communist China to ask Major Countries for industrial support.

Manchukuo

Manchu national focus tree.

Main article: Manchu national focus tree

 Manchukuo gets a national focus with the Waking the Tiger expansion. Its "Invite Foreign Investors" branch is shared with  China,  Communist China and the Chinese Warlords if they change their focus tree.

The Manchu national focus tree can be divided into 2 branches. Their unique branch contains 2 sub-branches:

Pacify the Countryside Branch

This is the beginning of  Manchukuo's unique branch.

Obedience Sub-branch

This sub-branch allows  Manchukuo to stay obedient to the  Japanese and allows for becoming independent without going to war with  Japan.

Assertiveness Sub-branch

This sub-branch allows  Manchukuo to declare war against  Japan for independence, reclaim the Mandate of Heaven and restore the Qing Empire.

Invite Foreign Investors Branch

This Branch allows  Manchukuo to ask Major Countries for industrial support. It is shared with the other Chinese nations.

Chinese warlords

Chinese warlord national focus tree.

Main article: Warlords national focus tree

The Chinese warlords ( Yunnan,  Sinkiang,  Guangxi,  Shanxi, and  Xibei San Ma) share a unique national focus tree in the Waking the Tiger DLC. Without the expansion the warlords use the Generic national focus tree instead.

The Warlord national focus tree can be divided into 2 branches and 3 sub-branches:

Secure Internal Politics Branch

This branch begins the political focuses for the Warlords.

Cooperation With the Nationalists sub-branch

This branch allows the Warlords to side with  Nationalist China. This will replace the current focus tree with the Chinese national focus tree.

Cooperation With the Communists sub-branch

This branch allows the Warlords to side with  Communist China and be able to replace and annex them with  Soviet Support. When replacing  Communist China, The current focus tree will change into the Communist Chinese national focus tree and all Their national spirits will be yours.

Opposition sub-branch

This branch allows the Warlords to instigate Border Clashes with the other Chinas, side with the Japanese and then proclaim a rival government different to  Nationalist and  Communist China

Industrial Investment Branch

This is the Industrial branch of the focus tree.

Man the Guns trees

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Mexico

Mexican national focus tree.

Main article: Mexican national focus tree

 Mexico gets a national focus in the Man the Guns DLC. Without the expansion, Mexico uses the Generic national focus tree.

The Mexican national focus tree can be divided into 2 Branches and 4 Sub-branches:

National Bank Branch

This branch focuses on infrastructure, removing the threat of the Caudillo civil war or changing the political party to Communism.

Military Budget Review Sub-branch

This Sub-branch focuses on military technology.

Oil Field Expansion Sub-branch

This Sub-branch deals with foreign relations with major countries and joining their faction.

Plan of Agua Prieta Branch

This branch focuses on switching the political party to either Democracy, Fascism or Communism. The Fascist or Communist focuses increase or decrease Church Power respectively.

Control the Army Sub-branch

This sub-branch deals with increasing or decreasing the power of the Church.

March Southwards Sub-branch

This sub-branch gives war goals against other countries within the Americas.

Netherlands

Dutch national focus tree.

Main article: Dutch national focus tree

The Dutch national focus tree can be divided into 3 branches and 5 sub-branches:

Obtain Foreign Colonial Investments Branch

This branch expands Dutch industry in the colonies and allows the Dutch to move their government to the  Dutch East Indies in case it capitulates and gain war goal against  Venezuela.

Abandon the Gold Standard Branch

This Branch allows the expansion of the industry in the European Mainland and removing the De Crisisjaren national spirit.

Overturn Military Budget Cuts Sub-branch

This sub-branch focuses on removing the pacifism in the country and increases military technology.

Form New Government Branch

This branch allows The Netherlands to choose either  German or  British influence or head a neutral path.

Volk en Vaderland Sub-branch

The fascist sub-branch allows the Netherlands to ally with  Germany, Placate the  Japanese with the  Dutch East Indies or gain war goals on former colonial holdings and other Benelux nations.

Legacy of the "De Zeven Provinciën" Mutiny Sub-branch

The communist sub-branch allows the Netherlands to release its colonial holdings, Join the  Soviet or  French faction and gain war goals on non-communist western major nations and the Benelux.

Oranje Boven! Sub-branch

The monarchist sub-branch allows Netherlands to make Wilhelmina head of government, gain guarantees from the  United States and take manpower from the  Germans.

"Unity Through Democracy" Sub-Branch

The democratic sub-branch allows the Netherlands to form the Benelux faction, invite other democratic European countries and create the European Union.

La Résistance trees

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Portugal

Portuguese national focus tree.

Main article: Portuguese national focus tree

 Portugal gets a unique national focus tree with the La Résistance expansion. Without the expansion, it utilizes the Generic national focus tree instead.

The Portuguese national focus tree can be divided into 5 branches and 5 sub-branches:

Colonial Assimilation Policy branch

This branch focuses on managing the Portuguese colonies and their industries.

Continue the Public Works branch

This branch focuses on industry expansion in Portugal, additional research slots and land and air military research boosts.

Second Navy Reequipment branch

This branch focuses on the naval industry expansion, additional research slot and navy research boosts.

Army Reorganization branch

This branch focuses on military infrastructure and land doctrines.

Popular Front/Estado Novo branch

This branch allows Portugal to choose its ideology, ruling party, and stance about the Spanish Civil War.

Nation in Arms sub-branch

This sub-branch allows Portugal to become communist and join the Comintern.

Support the Spanish Republic sub-branch

This sub-branch allows Portugal to become communist and spread it in South America.

Strict Neutrality in the Spanish Civil War sub-branch

This sub-branch allows Portugal to go democratic and join the Allies.

Support the Spanish Nationalists sub-branch

This sub-branch allows Portugal to join the Allies, remain unaligned, join the Axis or become the Fifth Empire.

A Royal Wedding sub-branch

This sub-branch allows Portugal to become a monarchy.

Spain

Spanish national focus tree.

 Spain gets a unique national focus tree with the La Résistance expansion, which will be split into two separate trees once the Spanish Civil War breaks out. Without the expansion, it utilizes the Generic national focus tree instead.

Nationalist Spain

Main article: Nationalist Spanish national focus tree

The Nationalist Spanish national focus tree can be divided into 11 sections. 1 pre civil war branch leading into 3 main branches and 2 shared branches. A post civil war sub-branch can be split from each of these Branches:

A Great Spain Branch

This pre Spanish Civil War branch gives Spain popularity to the Fascist and Non-Aligned parties, Political Power, garisson control over various Spanish states, and various divisions during the Spanish Civil War. Unlike the Republican Spanish national focus tree, these focuses take 28 or 35 days rather than 70 days.

The Phalanx Ascendant Branch

This branch allows the  Falangists to take power, increase Stability, create minor uprisings against  Republican Spain, gain a research slot and gain Civilian and Military factories. This path will force the  Carlists to declare war making another faction to fight against in the civil war.

The National-Syndicalist State Sub-branch

Once the Spanish Civil War is over, this sub-branch allows  Falangist Spain to expand its navy, gain a research slot, gain factories and give army bonuses in recruitable population and training time. It recreates the Spanish Empire with war goals against  Portugal and its colonies,  United Kingdom,  France,  Italy, The  United States, former Spanish Colonies and  Brazil.

The Corpo Truppe Volontarie/The Condor Legion Branch

This branch is shared between the  Falangists and the  Nationalists. It allows  Italy and  Germany to send more volunteers to aid in the civil war. It also gives forts on the  French border, stability, political power and research bonuses.

The National And Popular Army of Spain/Join the Axis/National Recovery sub-branch

Once the Spanish Civil War is over, it gives the  Falangists and the  Nationalists research bonuses for the army, factories, infrastructure, reduces the effects of the "Recovering From Civil War" national spirit and gives national recovery bonuses.

Unify the Nationalist Front Branch

This branch focuses on aligning the Falangist and Carlist factions under the leadership of Francisco Franco as  Nationalist Spain. It gives stability and war support, and combat bonuses. It will also bypass an impending  Carlist revolt. There is also a focus that allows  Portugal to send more volunteers which leads to two focuses that can only be done once the Spanish Civil War is over. These two focuses allow Spain to ally  Portugal and create the Latin Bloc which also allies with  Vichy France,  Italy and other Iberian countries if they are available.

Join the Allies/Adopt the 26 Points Sub-branch

Once the Spanish Civil War is over, it allows  Nationalist Spain to join the  British or  American faction, which gives naval bonuses, factories, boosts national recovery and removes the "Recovering From Civil War" national spirit. It adds a research slot. The Adopt the 26 Points sub-branch leads to a section that is shared with  Carlist Spain. The  Nationalist Spain exclusive section allows Francisco Franco to become dictator for life and leads to focuses that allows the sending of volunteers and wargoals against  France and the  United Kingdom.

Utilize the Intellectuals Branch

This branch is shared between the  Nationalists and the  Carlists. It gives a research slot.

Restore the Monarchy Sub-branch

These focuses can only be selected after the Spanish Civil War is over. If the  Nationalists take this branch, Alfonso XIII becomes leader of the Non-Aligned party. If the  Carlists take this branch, it fulfills the choice made in the Settle the Succession Question focus and creates the Kingdom of Spain. Jaime IV replaces Alfonso XIII if the focus is not taken by February 28, 1941. The rest of the branch gives air buildings and forts on naval bases. These focuses must be taken by  Nationalist Spain in order to unlock the wargoal for Gibraltar and West Africa.  Carlist Spain cannot take the focuses following these.

Supremacy of the Communion Branch

This branch allows the  Carlists to prepare insurrections in the civil war, gain army bonuses, gain air and army research bonuses and civilian factories. This path will force the  Falangists to declare war making another faction to fight against in the civil war.

Settle the Succession Question Sub-branch

After the Spanish Civil War, this sub-branch allows  Carlist Spain to chose between Alfonso XIII or Javier I as King of Spain. Jaime IV replaces Alfonso XIII if the focus is not taken by February 28, 1941. It also gives naval research bonuses, a research slot and war goals against the  United Kingdom, the  Netherlands,  Belgium,  Luxembourg, the  United States,  Cuba and the  Philippines. If France has Alphonse I as King, they may decide to become a Spanish Puppet. Otherwise, Spain gets a wargoal.  Portugal may also chose to be annexed and cored by Spain or give wargoals.

Republican Spain

Main article: Republican Spanish national focus tree

The Nationalist Spanish national focus tree can be divided into 12 sections. 1 pre civil war branch leading into 3 main branches and 2 shared branches. A post civil war sub-branch can be split from each of these branches. The post civil war Communist Branch can be divided into 2 separate sub branches:

The Popular Front Branch

This pre-Spanish Civil War branch gives Republican Spain army battalions when the Civil War begins as well as disadvantages to the  Nationalists. It also gives political power. These focuses take longer than the Nationalist pre-war focuses so it is in the player's best interest to extend the pre-civil war preparations until all the focuses are complete (The final focus will start the civil war).

Regional Defense Council of Aragon Branch

The Anarchist branch of the focus tree allows beneficial modifiers to the Anarchist Society national spirit as well as the special Collectivized Society economy law and "Council" government advisors. This branch also creates an Anarchist civil war in  Portugal which may lead to its annexation and coring of all its core states.

Torchbearers of Tomorrow Sub-branch

Once the Spanish Civil War is over,  Anarchist Spain may rebuild its economy in preparation for future wars. This branch also gives bonuses to war goal justification time and decisions to create anarchist uprisings in foreign nations as well as the coring of states with high compliance.

International Brigades/Seize the Gold Reserves Branch

This branch is shared between  Anarchists and  Communists. It allows a weekly manpower boost during the civil war, the seizure of gold reserves for factory output and factories and will lead to another front against the rival ideology within the Republican side of the Civil War. It is required in order to progress through the focus tree.

Collective Recovery Efforts Sub-branch

Once the Civil War is over, Spain can take the Collective Recovery Efforts focus in order to progress to the rest of the post civil war focuses. The other two focuses give bonuses to the navy.

The Anti-Fascist Worker's Revolution Branch

The Communist Branch of the focus tree splits into two sections. The left path allows the creation of a Communist alliance against the  Soviet Union and the creation of  The Spanish Commune. This allows the ability to take the focuses shared with the  Anarchists and the All Must Do Their Part Sub-branch. The right path allows the alliance with the  Soviet Union and the creation of  The People's Republic of Spain. This allows the ability to take the focuses shared with the  Republicans and the Red Bulwark in the West Sub-branch.The center of the branch is shared with both paths and allows bonuses in the industry. The Focus Increase Arms Production may be taken by the  Republicans if they take the Communists in the Government focus.

All Must Do Their Part Sub-branch

This post civil war sub-branch allows  The Spainish Commune to recover from the Spanish Civil War, make an alliance with other Communist nations not in Asia, and get war goals against every European Fascist nation,  Mexico and the  Soviet Union.

Red Bulwark in the West Sub-branch

This post civil war sub-branch allows  The People's Republic of Spain to try to increase its autonomy if it is a puppet of the  Soviet Union, gain war goals on  Portugal,  France and all other nations who sent volunteers to the  Nationalist side. This sub-branch is also shared with  Republican Spain if they take the Communists in the Government focus and may be done before the civil war is over this way.

Strengthen the Euzko Gudarostea Branch

This branch is shared between the  Communists and the  Republicans. It seeks aid from the  Soviet Union for the civil war and in return, Spain will become a puppet under them. It also creates a third faction in the civil war from the  Anarchists.

Soviet Recovery Aid Sub-branch

This post civil war sub-branch further increases military development if the Spain is still in a faction with the  Soviet Union.

Maintain the Second Republic Branch

The Democratic branch allows  Republican Spain to increase Stability and military strength. It also asks  France's help in lend lease. Spain may Oppose the Communists which leads to independence from the  Soviet Union and allows Spain to stay . Spain may also allow Communists in the Government which will allow Spain to become Communist and take the Increase Arms Production and the Red Bulwark in the West Sub-branch in the  Communist side of the focus tree.

Subvert Soviet Control/Stabilize the Nation/Restore Higher Education Sub-branch

This post civil war branch allows  Republican Spain to declare war for independence against the  Soviet Union with the aid of either the Democratic nations or  Germany and  Italy. It also increases military capability and allows Spain to join in the war against the Fascist majors.

National Focus

Generic

Generic • Continuous Focus

Man the Guns

Mexico • Netherlands

Mechanics

Events

Events