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Yes, but then again I don't remember any provinces being sold in the '30s or '40s historically either.

I thought that USA bought some 'rights' to place their troops in British lands during the WW2. But that is not really selling land.
Well, it would still be cool to be able to give/trade provinces as we were able to do in HoI2.
 
Another lurker here.

I love your strategic plans to expand from your colonies.

My question: how much are you going to invest in a navy?
There is no way that you will be able to challenge the Royal Navy, but you need something to protect convoys, or not?
Have you considered some submarines to start convoy hunting around the British, Belgium and French colonies? Maybe get some licenses from Germany?
Portugal, the Azores and your colonies seem ideally located for this.

Your IC is horribly low though. No idea how many you can build, or how many are needed.

In HOI 2, Blue Emu showed that you need about 60-90 subs as Germany, to sink the British Merchant Marine, which corresponded nicely with Donitz' estimate of 300 u-boats.
 
Hi, i´m a lurker, waiting on the Mac port. Taking the opportunity to learn something out of everyones experience. Good luck and good hunting.
1 post every 3 years! :eek:
 
+1 lurker
I´m folowing this AAR from day one. (I have one post).
I don´t have HOI3 yet (i´m waiting for a patch/mod that makes it enjoyable to me and i´m still playing HOI2) but I played a quick game, with little micromanagement, as Portugal, and it was a disaster...
But i made mistakes that i´m sure you won't do.

Back to lurking now
 
The Spanish Civil War begins at the beginning of June, with the standard war-start borders. Through the month of June, the Nationalists clearly seemed to be making the best headway. Perhaps because Germany and Italy aided the Nationalists, and only the USSR came to help the Republicans.

SCWJune36.jpg


This is enough of a concern to us, still, that we make our first step toward economic mobilization. Our neutrality currently allows us to jump from 11 IC to 17. Note: In the previous game, I was more concerned for the status of my resources. I feared that if I didn’t build up beforehand, I could easily outstrip any gains I might have made on the trading front by mobilizing my economy too quickly.

In retrospect, I found two things. One, the Portuguese economy does not allow me to produce the things I need to produce to fully prepare for war (even on my small-scale plans!) if I don’t jump-start the economy early. Secondly, I found that the Portuguese economy and ability to trade for resources are actually pretty well balanced, so that if I increase my IC early, I can still keep on top of trade and maintain my stockpile levels – increase them, even! This is good news – see point number one! :D

Edutrade.jpg


Italy joins the Axis about this time, and we also increase our Education investment, trying to get more leadership.

And my trading efforts continue. By June, I’ve found that other countries just aren’t that interested in trading for my supplies in v1.2. Either a balance has been changed, or a tweak in production has been made. Other countries do not clamor for my goods now, as they did in v1.1c. So, I’m left to support my trade not with other trades, but instead with the more inefficient CG spending.

Checking the sortable Diplo list, I find that Germany has a huge surplus of energy. Since I’m hoping it will improve relations enough to give me better deals on things in the future, as allies, I trade with them instead of the USA. The rest of my needs I supplant with a trade deal with the USA – not enough to lift my crude oil out of a deficit, but it keeps my other stockpiles going, and I can address the crude oil later. It does keep my oil supplies from disappearing too quickly, though – always a balancing act.

ProdJune.jpg


My newly funded production list is almost all garrisons, with that “big ticket” transport tacked onto the end. Other things hold lower priority right now. I want these guys trained and in the field before I run out of time to move them. This is all I can produce with what I have to work with, so far.

I’ve moved the non-reserve garrison division (mentioned in the last update as an error on my part – I meant to produce reserves) is moved lower. I’ll let that guy be the one I leave in Lisbon, once everything else is prepared.

RschJun.jpg


Finally, I have my 10 spies at home, and after a little dabbling, unsuccessfully trying to fit some spies into Republican Spain (they must have been aggressively hunting spies down – I don’t blame them!), I give all but a smattering of leadership over to research.

Industrial Production was my one focus through six months, now it’s accompanied by some other important techs, and I’ve got some catching up to do! One will always second guess what one places as a foremost priority in these early days – I might have chosen supply production and light cruiser first, or even construction engineering. But I didn’t. I don’t have the IC, right now, to produce forts, factories, or light cruisers. I’ll get that stuff later. Right now, supplies are a priority, but also coal conservation. Education and Industrial are always at the top of my list, rarely facing serious competition until after they’ve reached their “ahead of time” date, whereupon I’ll pause them until I reach that date.

I’m taking my first garrisons down to Angola. Spreading them around – one two-brigade division per strongpoint. But as I’m doing this, I get a…

Surprise!

LateEntry.jpg


On 1 July, the British finally decide they’ll come to the aid of the Republicans, who aren’t actually doing too badly to begin with. The Nationalists have made slight gains since the war started, but not enough to be decisive. The Republicans can still win. And with British help…. Hmm.

I use this as an excuse (I didn’t need an excuse, except for public consumption – I’ve passed the neutrality threshold, and so it’s time…) to increase my economic state to Full Mobilization. Meanwhile, you’ll notice I’ve left one division at Benguela (Angola), while I transport the other to Cabinda. I’m not just bracketing the Belgians, which may or may not prove important, but I’m also making sure I don’t lose my foothold of land adjacent to the French colonies of central Africa. Later you’ll see I’ll turn that bridgehead into a major base for operations. Just securing it, for now.

Reaction.jpg


I gain another 6 IC – up to 23 – with my mobilization step. I’m overproducing supplies, but still no one wants them. That’s fine – I need them, and by the time I have what I need, maybe people will start buying them. Crude Oil has improved a little since earlier, but it’s still relatively low. I’d love to start building that stockpile back up. Other things are coming along reasonably well for mid-36. I’m still working on that transport, and still building more garrisons. Notice I’ve added a convoy transport to the production line.

One thing I quickly noticed in my last game is that all these long-distance trades with the USA, combined with the new long-distance convoy that sprung up every time I placed a new garrison in one of my colonies, placed a serious drain on my convoy supply. I’m preparing for this in advance, this time. Lots and lots of transports. I’ll have at least one unit (10 ships) in the queue at almost all times until I’ve got a massive surplus for wartime – something that can do the job, AND absorb casualties from wartime attrition.

Thankfully, now that my IC directed toward production can reach nearly 10, I can actually build all these guys at once. This is another mistake I made last time (as mentioned above) – I couldn’t build quickly enough.

NewProdJuly.jpg


An unfortunate situation, though, I’m finding myself in is that my leadership isn’t keeping up. I don’t have time to do the math, but again I’m convinced that there’s been a serious change in the rate of research turning out new techs. In the last game, I was able to research the things I’m working on now, as well as throwing a couple militia or infantry techs into the mix. Then, I was able to put IC to upgrade my units as the peacetime passed. It wasn’t that I had more leadership – same number of slots – but I think I must have been finishing the ones I was working on more quickly. I wonder what this resulting lack of tech improvements is going to do to me when war starts. I feel like I’m “behind the 8-ball,” but I may just be worried about nothing.

NewRschJuly.jpg


By mid-July, I’m spreading more military force to the Portuguese Ultramar – the outlying colonies. I send a garrison to Guinea-Bissau, base some destroyers there also, and dispatch my submarine flotilla to base out of the Cape Verde Islands, nearby. They will be within reach of many of the convoy routes. As you can see from the production queue, I have my eye on some new subs, too, but that’s only once I get my other priorities set.

AndSubstoCapeVerde.jpg


Another thing that catches my eye…

That French infantry division wasn’t in Dakar in the v1.1c game. Hmmm…
 
Maybe the French realised that Dakar is rather important in 1.2.....

I like the optimism you are putting in your single Level 1 SS patrolling the convoy routes.....:rolleyes:

I'm not trying to be pessimistic, but what level is the Sub you are trying to build? I mean, if is only one of the low level 1 or 2, is it really worth the resources, to have this thing? Why not build more garrisons, and wait until you actually have decent naval techs, to build things that could be permanently destroyed in 1 battle?
 
You got your neutrality down pretty quickly. I'm sure the rest of Iberia is trembling at your fully mobilized 23 IC.:p

It looks like you'll be engaging your army pretty heavily in colonial warfare. Makes sense as it offers the greatest potential for expansion with the least amount of resistance. I haven't really looked at Africa in my games, is there any truly valuable territory within easy striking distance?
 
I respect Peekee’s formula for getting spies up and running to reduce Neutrality (you’ll see Peekee’s Guide in the Supplement to the Strategy Guide), and he recommends spending nothing on research until you get 10 spies in your own country. I’m going to ignore his advice for now, because I have a long period of buildup before I can afford to go to war, and so spies are important to me now, but not enough to displace research – I’ve split my sliders between research and spies.

Just don't come crying to me when you realize this is suboptimal. SUBOPTIMAL!!! DAMN IT!!!!!


Starting off my new game in v1.2, I’m going to keep most things as they were in my v1.1c game. I’ll start off using Peekee’s recommended method to get spies up quickly, which means neutrality down ASAP, which means the economy in gear ASAP. Two whole points to espionage at first, with only 2/3 of a point toward research. That will change as soon as my spies are up to speed, which should take just a few short months.

Phewww... closer to optimal....
 
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Interesting update...I wonder how events will play out now the French have a stronger presence near you. Have you seen many changes from 1.1c to 1.2 like the few you've noted above?
 
I think your surplus supplies will become all the rage when the world goes to war! Unfortunately, that's when you'll be needing them as well. :rolleyes:
 
Your one sub will snk all those South African convoys trading with the uK and then the Belgians trading back with their home.

The Franch clearly think Portugal has designs on French West Africa. One reserve garrison brigade. All those Portuguese supermen.

Your start does seem much more focussed this time around. Perhaps taking more education first rather than Production would benefit Portugal's development more.

Must have taken all your self-disciplne not to get involved in the Spanish Civil War.
 
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Seems like the French are going to try to defend their colonies better in this patch then, but the war haven’t begun yet so when/if the French get into trouble with the Germans they might still withdraw their forces from the colonies. Still I think you need to send more garrisons to your colonies if you are to have a chance of defending your colonies…
 
Hi!

this is a fascinating AAR, added to your strategy guides & it gives a real insight into how to play HOI3 - esp as a minor. Its enough to inspire me with the idea that my next game will be with someone pretty marginal and then push it as far as possible.
Thanks! I really appreciate that! Minors are so much fun, even if you get killed in the end, it's always an interesting game. And then sometimes the minors make it!

Well if you insist!

Great AAR, allowing me to live vicariously during the long winter of having a computer unable to play HOI3 :(
Ach, that sucks. But I'm glad to provide some entertainment in the meantime! Welcome, Mucius! Thanks for taking the time to say hello.

Another lurker here.

I love your strategic plans to expand from your colonies.

My question: how much are you going to invest in a navy?
There is no way that you will be able to challenge the Royal Navy, but you need something to protect convoys, or not?
Have you considered some submarines to start convoy hunting around the British, Belgium and French colonies? Maybe get some licenses from Germany?
Portugal, the Azores and your colonies seem ideally located for this.

Your IC is horribly low though. No idea how many you can build, or how many are needed.

In HOI 2, Blue Emu showed that you need about 60-90 subs as Germany, to sink the British Merchant Marine, which corresponded nicely with Donitz' estimate of 300 u-boats.
Thanks, Pier -- and Welcome! At this point, there's not much way I can build a navy, except very slowly. There's no money for it, unless I'm not busy with something else, and I'm always going to be busy with something else during peacetime. Once war comes, I expect I'll place a "slot" aside -- some committed IC -- to build warships. And I'll also be building some convoy escorts. But other than that, I'm pretty limited. Even if I could use licenses, I don't have the IC to do it except during wartime. There is ONE item I intend to build during peacetime which requires a license (two, actually). But they won't be complete anytime soon.

I think I'll explain what I can do, though, in response to someone else in a moment...

Hi, i´m a lurker, waiting on the Mac port. Taking the opportunity to learn something out of everyones experience. Good luck and good hunting.
Welcome, JCarvalho! Your name sounds familiar, and I thought for a moment you'd either posted here, or in one of my other AARs, but a brief look says no. Maybe Carvalho was one of the names I was thinking about using in my story portions. Cool name!

+1 lurker
I´m folowing this AAR from day one. (I have one post).
I don´t have HOI3 yet (i´m waiting for a patch/mod that makes it enjoyable to me and i´m still playing HOI2) but I played a quick game, with little micromanagement, as Portugal, and it was a disaster...
But i made mistakes that i´m sure you won't do.

Back to lurking now
Thanks MCC! I think you'd find it enjoyable as it is now. I even think v1.1c was enjoyable, but it's much improved now. Time will improve it yet more, of course. Portugal is challenging! If you stay at peace, you're fine. If you join the Allies, you'd probably be all right. But as the Axis it's a special challenge. I'll see what I can do with it.

Maybe the French realised that Dakar is rather important in 1.2.....

I like the optimism you are putting in your single Level 1 SS patrolling the convoy routes.....:rolleyes:

I'm not trying to be pessimistic, but what level is the Sub you are trying to build? I mean, if is only one of the low level 1 or 2, is it really worth the resources, to have this thing? Why not build more garrisons, and wait until you actually have decent naval techs, to build things that could be permanently destroyed in 1 battle?
Well, I have to think of Portugal as part of a larger Axis machine. It's not just about Portugal doing stuff for Portugal's interest, because if Germany loses the war, Portugal goes with her (assuming an Axis alliance). So my submarine subron (along with my destroyer units -- don't forget my destroyer flotillas!) is part of the larger Axis navy, and the few Allied convoy ships we can sink help Germany to isolate the British by sea and causing economic turmoil for the British.

Also note that my destroyers will be escorting my transports, and so my garrisons would be forced to remain where they are without some naval power to keep them from getting smashed on first sight.

You got your neutrality down pretty quickly. I'm sure the rest of Iberia is trembling at your fully mobilized 23 IC.:p

It looks like you'll be engaging your army pretty heavily in colonial warfare. Makes sense as it offers the greatest potential for expansion with the least amount of resistance. I haven't really looked at Africa in my games, is there any truly valuable territory within easy striking distance?
Hmm... Truly valuable is a relative term. They have ports, an occasional factory, and resources. The resources, some of them, are tolerably valuable. No, I don't expect they'll be that scared of me... But that's just because they don't recognize my potential! :D

Just don't come crying to me when you realize this is suboptimal. SUBOPTIMAL!!! DAMN IT!!!!!

Phewww... closer to optimal....
Yup. I realized how important it is/was to getting my economy in gear. Not that I didn't realize that before, but it became more urgent -- before I was worried about running my stocks down! Now I'm not so much.

Britons fighting for anarchist rabble? :eek:
Not so unusual -- they supported the French in the first war, and now again! :p

Interesting update...I wonder how events will play out now the French have a stronger presence near you. Have you seen many changes from 1.1c to 1.2 like the few you've noted above?
Not a whole lot of changes yet. I'll note them as I see them. I think most of the change will be in the form of improved AI, which I didn't get a great opportunity to observe previously.

I think your surplus supplies will become all the rage when the world goes to war! Unfortunately, that's when you'll be needing them as well. :rolleyes:
Yes, indeed.... Actually, having just played up to the point of when war begins, I've got an interesting story to tell!

Your one sub will snk all those South African convoys trading with the uK and then the Belgians trading back with their home.

The Franch clearly think Portugal has designs on French West Africa. One reserve garrison brigade. All those Portuguese supermen.

Your start does seem much more focussed this time around. Perhaps taking more education first rather than Production would benefit Portugal's development more.

Must have taken all your self-disciplne not to get involved in the Spanish Civil War.
Being able to research higher-level things does very little for me if I can't build them. Education vs. IC is always a tradeoff, but with Leadership levels like mine, it'd take several levels of Education just to get me to the point where I could add a new "slot" in the research queue. So in that respect, IC is more immediately useful to me. Ahh... The Spanish Civil War is an interesting prospect. More ahead on that, in the AAR! :D

Seems like the French are going to try to defend their colonies better in this patch then, but the war haven’t begun yet so when/if the French get into trouble with the Germans they might still withdraw their forces from the colonies. Still I think you need to send more garrisons to your colonies if you are to have a chance of defending your colonies…
Yes, working on more garrisons and other forces... Doing better this time than last, because of better planning.

Brits in India, French in Africa... 1.2 keeps on pushing the boundaries :)
:rofl:

I'm hoping to get another update up today! If not today, then tomorrow sometime (lunchtime, probably, USA-time).

Thanks again!

Rensslaer
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by WhisperingDeath
I think your surplus supplies will become all the rage when the world goes to war! Unfortunately, that's when you'll be needing them as well.

Yes, indeed.... Actually, having just played up to the point of when war begins, I've got an interesting story to tell!


*taps foot impatiently*

-- Beppo