Hearts Of Iron 4: Best Tank Templates

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.

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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.

Updated on October 27, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With Gotterdammerung about to be released on November 11, 2024 with Patch 1.15, fans of Hearts of Iron 4 can look forward to increased strategic depth as the game starts a renewed focus on research and industry - providing new oomph for players of Austria, Belgium, Germany, and Hungary to be able to change the courses of their destinies. Fans who want to elevate their Hearts of Iron 4 experience may want to consider building the right Tank templates to deal with the fiercest of enemy threats. While some fans might consider just opting for Infantry-heavy templates, some Tank divisions should be considered optimal for general-purpose use, a balance of defense and offense, a beginner-friendly lit, and a straightforward use of a Heavy Tank Destroyer.

14 Stable General-Purpose

Secure Basic Offense And Defense

Players who want a more average-performing Tank Template that they can customize for more specialized play can use the Standard General-Purpose for their Hearts of Iron 4 gameplay sessions. At its core, this 34-Width setup takes advantage of a Heavy Tank setup to demolish enemy soft targets while capitalizing on traditional tanking support.

Heavy emphasis is placed on the Support Companies for this particular setup. For instance, Logistics is essential in ensuring the Stable General-Purpose Division can travel much further without having to refuel. In enemy lines, such a traversal mechanic is made much easier with the Heavy Flame Tank and Engineer Company that provide decent terrain and defensive bonuses, with the Motorized Recon granting reconnaissance buffs for additional firepower. Lastly, Support Anti-Air is practically a must-have to protect the Division from close air support that tanks are usually vulnerable against.

13 Decent 40W Balance

Push Through Most Basic Infantry

Players enjoying their Hearts of Iron 4 gameplay who want a more balanced take on their tank division should consider trying Decent 40W Balance. At its core, this division relies on a decent Soft Attack and Breakthrough to push through most infantry-based defenses with enough Hardness to resist defensive maneuvers. Standard Light Flame Tank, Logistics, Engineer, and Anti-Air for Support Companies guarantees more consistent terrain bonuses while also boosting defense.

While it’s true that the Medium Flame Tank offers more terrain bonuses, the choice of a Light Flame Tank guarantees early-game setups while players save up for the upgrade. This setup should provide players with a decent tank starter that is still open for more intensive upgrades.

12 Beginner-Friendly Setup

Use For Beginner Skirmishes While Building Up Stronger Divisions

Players who are invested in their Hearts of Iron 4 sessions might find themselves in need of a convenient tank division should try the Beginner-Friendly Setup. This maximizes whatever players may have researched as of the moment, which in this case could be a combination of Medium Tanks and Motorized Infantry for decent speed, as well as Logistics, Maintenance, and Engineer Companies to capitalize on potential bonuses to defense and terrain. Motorized Anti-Air is a nifty addition to secure defenses against aerial threats they might face on the battlefield.

This isn’t an end-all, be-all setup, however. Designed for short-term plays, this Beginner-Friendly Setup should be optimized as soon as players are able to advance their tech. The Motorized Infantry should be replaced with Mechanized as soon as the opportunity presents itself to capitalize on more bonuses.

11 Simple Heavy Tank Destroyer

Straightforward Tank Destroyer Setup

Players who want to secure a more stabilized tank division for their Hearts of Iron 4 experience should consider relying on the Simple Heavy Tank Destroyer setup. This 36-Width Division puts into the frontline 10 Heavy Tank Destroyers and 8 Motorized Infantry, the combination of which is built to make quick work of other basic tank divisions - that is, until players eventually upgrade.

In terms of support, the Simple Heavy Tank Destroyer kit capitalizes on advantages players can get with the right setup. These include Support Anti-Air to stop the tank’s natural weaknesses against aerial units, terrain advantages from Engineer and Medium Flame Tanks, and even the Hard Attack bonuses of Armored Recon.

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.

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By  Rhenn Taguiam

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.

5 Standard Medium Meta

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.