Infantry and Supply are the most important research topics here. Three tech-teams should be put on the following Industrial Research at start: Every industrial field should be researched as Germany with the exception of Radar.

Use them for all your manufacturing research except Production Planning, which only requires management so use Erich Von Manstein (level 9 and has management) while I.G. Farben is the best manufacturing tech team in the game. The only point of weakness in German research is in the Navy. Since Germany's teams are so strong, researching technologies 1 year in advance is comparatively easy. Advanced players may take different routes, such as tech rushing key technologies. By January 1, 1939, Germany is capable of having researched every 1938 technology as well, with the only exception being aircraft carriers, which are not commonly used as Germany. For example, assuming Germany ignores Tank Destroyers and Anti-Tank Artillery (considered worthless units in game), by May, 1937, it is possible for Germany to have researched every 19 technology. Germany has the best research teams in the game which allows Germany to be considerably far ahead of all her rivals in research. Note that even veteran players of HOI2, for the most part, abide by historical events at least until war with Poland. By that date, Germany should be fully prepared for war. Events will also lead Germany into war with the Allies, on August 31, 1939. Events will benefit Germany immensely, so wait for them to happen, largely in 19. With technology, production, economy and politics set up properly, the game can run more or less hands free for the first 3 years. For beginning players, Germany can be a challenging nation. Success with Germany for veteran players is fairly easy, even on very hard difficulty. The reason for this is probably that Germany is a nation with great potential that was foiled historically and people enjoy ahistorical success. USA is in 2nd place, and the USSR in 3rd place, neither with more than one hundred. Using AAR production as an indication of popularity, Germany is #1 with hundreds of AARs on the Paradox boards.

Germany is one of the most played nations in HoI2.

12 Year 1939 –40 Invading Poland and France.

10.1 Germanic Ireland: Totally Optional.

8.7 Operation Barbarossa: Taming the Bear.

8.6 Directive 25: Yugoslavia, and Operation Marita: Greece.

Hearts of iron 4 minor nations guide