HoI - Can someone help me out...?

[Shadow]

Hi,

I've just got my hands on a copy of HoI, and installed the 1.06 patch.

I've got about 8 hours of gameplay up now, but I think I might be missing something.

At first I tried playing the USA, then tried Australia, both on the easiest settings. But nothing much seems to happen. Obviously the action is much greater in Europe, but I'm still finding it difficult to even get my IC, techs or armies built up.
It just seems achingly slow!

I suppose I'd like to know:
- What is it that you guys do initially when a game starts?
- What should be my initial goals? Conquest primarily, I understand, but shouldn't it be a little more intricate than that?
- How do I gain more DI? It seems I have virtually none while the rest of the planet is Diplomacy city!

I understand that a lot of this comes with increased gameplay, but I think if I'm still wondering after 8 hours of play and having read the manual... it's time to be asking some questions.

Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks all.

Shadow

[General Ludd]

Three pieces of advice:

1) Ask in the Paradox Forums. They're much more helpful then any of the jerks around here.

2) Speed up the game during slow periods.

3) If you want to join the war instead of waiting for Japan to delcare war on you as the USA, join the allies and you'll be brought into the conflict on their side.

[Kropotkin]

and of cource:

4) Never mind the manual...

[Cookie Monster]

WRT to gaining more DI; this is just a matter of what country you're playing. They all have set rates at which they gain DI on a monthly basis. Some get more than others. I think this is hard coded.

[Main_Brain]

The Beginning varys depending on your Country.
Soviet Russia is likely to disband most Ships, the Militia Units, will most likly start building a Fortress Wall while Germany is more likely to trade the World Market to fill up on several Resources, most likely also killing ships in building queue etc.

USA will more likely focus on Research, building Ships & Army.

Initial Goals are most likely to find Alliance Partners (when a major), focussed Research..
EX With Germany I tend to build a highly mobile Army of Mechs, Armor with Infantry to hold the Terrain. This is a nice Setup to finish Russia quickly if you play smart (and have some luck).
This concluded an High increase in Oil needs which more often than not leads me to influence Turkey to grant me Access to conquer the Arab Peninsula. This is is also an nice Position to support eventual italian Allies in Afrika or to deny the SuezCanal.
Most of my games tend to build there own needs.

But after all it is an Wargame, its highly unlikly to avoid the War.


[The Major Powers all get about 2 DI per Month i think.
(except N. China )]