HOI4 (Hearts of Iron IV): How to Release Puppets

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Hearts of Iron IV, also known as HOI4, is a highly immersive grand strategy video game developed by Paradox Interactive, immersing players in the tumultuous era of the Second World War. With a focus on authentic historical recreation, the game meticulously replicates the complex dynamics of the time. As fading empires give way to aspirations for independence, nations strive to secure their autonomy, even if it means shedding blood. In this article, we will delve into the strategies and techniques required to liberate puppet states and preempt potential armed conflicts, ensuring a decisive advantage in the forthcoming tumultuous period. Prepare to navigate the intricate web of geopolitics and shape the destiny of nations. Here is how to release puppets in HOI4.

How to Release Puppets in HOI4

To start off, the player cannot release their own puppets via the autonomy system in HOI4, even if said puppet meets all the prerequisites (autonomy and political power). There is no clear explanation as to why this is the case, but this means that another approach has to be taken if one wants a puppet to be released.

Below, we will outline the alternative paths to releasing a puppet.

Annexing and Releasing

One way is to annex the puppet and then release them as an independent nation. To do this, we must first take steps to reduce their autonomy. These are the methods that can

Sending your latest equipment to said puppet.

Build factories, infrastructure, or any other construction projects in your puppet’s states.

Avoid trading for your puppet’s resources.

Do not call your puppets into your wars or let them contribute in any meaningful way.

Take the continuous focus, Suppress subjects.

Do not capitulate to any foe, or else all puppets will gain autonomy.

Decline any attache sent by a puppet.

A recommended method is to build convoys and then send them to your puppet. This method is the easiest to accomplish since convoys are easy to produce and replace.

Keep doing this monthly and save up enough political power to continually downgrade their puppet level until they can be annexed.

Once annexed, release them again but be sure to tick off the Release as puppet choice or else we’ll be forced to do everything again from the start.

With this method, a significant period of time and a good deal of political power is needed since, depending on the puppet level, it may cost upwards of 300 political power and a great deal of equipment and patience.

Through National Focuses

In going through National Focuses, only two nations in HOI4 can release puppets this way:

United Kingdom
Netherlands.

For the former, you need to choose the Decolonization tree (either as a Democratic or Communist government) and proceed along its paths to release both the dominions and all colonial holdings.

For the latter, you also need to choose the focus Decolonization but this one is tied to the Communist government. Doing this method will release the Dutch East Indies as an independent nation.

Through Console Commands

The last method to release puppets in HOI4 is to use console commands. This can be done only in non-ironman mode and in this manner:

Select the nation you wish to release (either in the start menu or via tagging)
- If tagging method was selected, the command for this is tag [Country Tag]

Open the console command and type add_autonomy [Target Country] [Amount] then type pp.
- Keep repeating this until you have enough to declare independence. Once done, switch back to the former overlord via tagging once again.

And that is all you need to know about how to release puppets in HOI4. Check out other interesting HOI4 guides and articles: