Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Tank Templates (2024)

Compared to other grand strategy titles, the focus of Hearts of Iron 4 towards both history and military logistics has transformed the game into one of the most celebrated entries in its genre. As such, players who want to dominate their Hearts of Iron 4 gameplay in both single-player and multiplayer setups know there are various intricacies to be considered whenever they have to deal with AI and real players. Among careful consideration in any Hearts of Iron 4 playthrough has got to be one’s Tank Templates, especially when being able to create Tanks can pave the way for power plays at the right hands.

With the right Tank Template, a player can easily dominate fights - especially with how Tanks can reliably encircle enemy territory and boast enough defense and firepower to obliterate enemy forces. However, just inserting Tanks in a random Template can result in disadvantageous fights for players. In order for them to truly excel in Tank warfare, they have to be arranged in certain ways.

10 AI Heavy Tank Dominance

Min-Maxes Anti-AI Setups With Heavy Tank Supremacy

Players who want to practice their Hearts of Iron 4 strategies, especially when preparing for multiplayer matches, may want to consider learning how to optimize their singleplayer builds. In terms of tanks templates, AI Heavy Tank Dominance is a decent starting point for players who want to take advantage of fighting the game’s AI as this can be used as a jumping-off point when learning more adaptive strategies.

For instance, this particular build emphasizes on building Heavy Tanks to boast as much Soft Attack and Breakthrough as possible to ensure that they tear through Infantry and Medium Tanks that the AI tend to build. Should this build prove strong enough, players can make subtle changes to composition to adapt to specific battlefield situations. When practiced properly, players can venture into multiplayer with their basics in adaptability covered.

9 Basic Singleplayer Light Setup

Capitalize On Speed And Hard Attack Power Against AI

Players enjoying their singleplayer Hearts of Iron 4 gameplay can create a formidable Basic Singleplayer Light Setup as soon as they’re able to unlock Light Tanks. This 32-Width Tank Template relies heavily on the natural Speed of the Light Tank, making them capable of encirclements and mobile strategies while still boasting impressive Armor. Their potential for high Hard Attack allows them to contend with more powerful foes - provided they’re not real players in multiplayer who can develop more sophisticated divisions.

The Singleplayer Light Setup relies on the 7/8/1 division of Light Tanks, Mechanized Infantry, and a Light Tank Destroyer. This will enjoy additional Speed and Firepower from Engineer and Maintenance Companies, while a Light Flame Tank and an Anti-Air Company should provide much-needed stability against other tanks.

8 Early-Game Rush Medium

Rush Medium Tanks After Motorized Infantry

As soon as players unlock Motorized Infantry in their Hearts of Iron 4 gameplay, it’s advisable to consider rushing Medium Tanks for the Early-Game Rush Medium build. This Tank Template may be costly to build due to the extra financial strain by Medium Tanks, but this composition can lead to a more practical armored division.

At its core, Early-Game Rush Medium will have players enjoy the added versatility of Medium Tanks, as their average Speed now enjoys higher customization options as well as survivability. Anti-Air and Tank Destroyers are must-haves in this Tank Template, as they enable players to outlast and outgun the enemy’s support units as well as other tank divisions in both singleplayer and multiplayer.

7 Compact Heavy Firepower

Slower Movement In Exchange For More Specialized Kits

Despite the sheer strength of Heavy Tanks, they do come at the cost of slower movement and a higher price point. As such, a Tank Template like Compact Heavy Firepower will have players notice smaller division sizes in exchange for the presence of the stronger tank variant. This setup enjoys the boosted Piercing and overall firepower from Heavy Tank Destroyer and Anti-Air additions, as well as the added mobility from a Light Tank Recon.

Perhaps the largest caveat of Compact Heavy Firepower comes in its smaller scale, meaning players need to be more deliberate as to where they want to strike as they have to contend with enemies who can build more templates with Medium Tanks. However, adding extra Support Companies such as Rangers do give Heavy Tanks much-needed specialization, allowing them to be built for more specific tasks and to engage in more specific environments.

6 Pre-War Medium Optimization

Maximize Production For A Pre-War Setup

Considering how Hearts of Iron 4 playthroughs can have either a 1936 or 1939 starting date, players who are following the historical route in the grand strategy title will likely encounter World War 2 in just a few years. This probability doesn’t leave them a lot of room to hyper-optimize their tank divisions, making a Tank Template like Pre-War Medium Optimization integral to wartime preparations.

This setup relies on the inherent adaptability of Medium Tanks, especially when enhanced with the reduced supply costs of a Logistics Company as well as the added firepower of a Medium Flame Tank. At this stage in the game, players are advised to secure one Motorized Artillery if they have the resource for it. The latter is optional, however, as Military Doctrines that also cost similar Army XP could be more beneficial than inserting new divisions in a template.

More Efficient Standard Build For Faster Engagements

The ever-evolving nature of Hearts of Iron 4 gameplay can make players concerned about meta strategies, especially when it comes to armored warfare. In the case of Standard Medium Meta, this setup capitalizes on the 34-Width template that maximizes an armored vehicle’s presence in most battlefields. Moreover, the presence of a Medium Tank Destroyer and Medium Tank Anti-Air cements this Tank Template’s capability of outgunning most enemy tank divisions.

Key to this meta setup is the presence of the Signal Company, as its Initiative bonus allows divisions to stay in the battlefield for much longer. Moreover, its bonuses towards the hidden Coordination stat allows tanks in the Standard Medium Meta to target weakened enemies to take them out sooner, making battles last much shorter and make for more efficient exchanges.

4 Cost-Efficient Medium Meta

Cheaper But Punchier Alternative To Standard Meta

Players who want more optimized Hearts of Iron 4 gameplay can opt for Cost-Efficient Medium Meta, as this is an alternative take on the standard Medium Tank meta at 40-Width and comprised of an 11/8/2 setup. The presence of Motorized Anti-Air and a Light Flame Tank should provide this Tank Template with ample firepower to take care of most basic incursions a player would face.

In terms of design, players need to focus on Medium Tanks that pack a lot of firepower especially towards Soft Attack and Breakthrough. The former ensures they deal more damage to Infantry and other lighter targets, while Breakthrough guarantees a more reliable defense when on the offensive. The final Support Company slot could be reserved for Rangers for more adaptability towards terrain, or Recon for more specialized scenarios.

3 Post-War Medium Enhancement

Improve Medium Tank Setups With Better Infrastructure

The pre-World War 2 setup of Hearts of Iron 4 gameplay would likely leave players with not a lot of opportunities to boost their production capacity at the onset of their gameplay, which means nations such as Japan won’t have a lot of room to produce efficient Medium Tank divisions by the time WW2 begins. However, on the off-chance that they survive the war as a much stronger nation, Post-War Medium Enhancement capitalizes on a “calmer” post-war environment for hyper-optimizing Medium Tanks.

This Tank Template relies on the trend that Medium Tanks are often the more optimal choice among tank types due to their decent balance between Speed and overall Firepower. Enhancements from the Medium Flame Tank and Engineer Company should give them more wiggle room to play with in terms of maneuerability. Meanwhile, two Medium Tanks could be replaced by a Medium SP Artillery to improve their Soft Attack.

2 Early-Midgame Hardness

Practical Early-To-Midgame Setup For Players With Resources

Balance is an important aspect of Hearts of Iron 4 gameplay, especially for players who aren’t in tune with the game’s strategic component to make risky builds that pay off immense results. In this regard, the Early-Midgame Hardness capitalizes on a standard armoured battalion using technology available in the 1940s, making this advisable for players in the early-to-midgame who want a tank division reliable enough to sustain the growing intensity of battles in this stage of the playthrough.

At its core, Rangers and Engineers (Support) provide supplementary speed and firepower to the initial Mechanized Infantry, whereas the addition of Medium Tanks provide much-needed Armor and overall Attack. The Heavy Tank Anti-Air and Medium Tank Destroyer will generate much-needed Piercing against most enemy units.

1 Cheap Breakthrough

Rely On Breakthrough To Push Past Enemy Defense

While it’s true that an armored battalion can be one of the most effective ways of securing wins in Hearts of Iron 4 gameplay, the expensive nature of tanks can discourage players from creating a lot of them. However, thanks to the Tank Designer, players can theoretically create a large armoured division via Cheap Breakthrough, a build essentially focusing on producing cheap tanks but all outfitted with gear for the most optimal Breakthrough possible.

High Breakthrough is ideal for armoured divisions, as this measures the defense tanks have against the attack power of a defending force. Matching or exceeding the attack power of defenders can secure survival for units. Customization-wise, it’s advisable for players to use cheaper tank chassis (Panzer IV C, Tiger) with the cheapest upgrades, keeping in mind to raise Breakthrough as often as possible. Grabbing Rangers and Medium Flame Tanks as Support can make expand the Tank Template’s use across different regions as well.

Hearts of Iron 4

Platform(s)

PC

Released

June 6, 2016

Developer(s)

Paradox Development Studio

Genre(s)

Grand Strategy

Publisher(s)

Paradox Interactive