Best factions for a beginner

[Sir Garnet]

Italy has the advantage of an early war against Ethiopia followed by adventurism elsewhere, as well as alternative strategies, though it is a weak major. Australia stars with modest land, air, and naval forces and has obvious roles to play in North Africa early on and against Japan later.

Romania was and in HOI3 can be the third largest contributor to Axis ground troops in Europe (though it could go red or blue instead). Negligible navy, but in HOI3 can focus on a large up-to-date infantry-based army and a supporting air force in prepping for the war in the east, and get some valuable practice against neighboring enemies - threat/tension permitting . Having oil fields is useful.

 

[EmperorBatman999]

So I've started reading up on guides before I get into HoI3 playthroughs to get familiar with this game series and one thing I noticed about these guides is that they seem to have a very different attitude than other PX games. The feeling I get is that playing as a smaller nation, one can only expect marginal conquests. Resources seem to be a very limiting factor, whereas in CK or EU I could take a minor count or an OPM and potentially reach global supremacy. This time resources are a true restriction from making anything possible. Like the Sweden guide only seems to anticipate taking the rest of Scandinavia, whereas I used to control most of Europe as a Viking warlord.

This is by no means a problem, as by the looks of it the mechanics are far more complex and the timeframe more limited to just a few years.

 

[Salatmander]

The feeling I get is that playing as a smaller nation, one can only expect marginal conquests. Resources seem to be a very limiting factor, whereas in CK or EU I could take a minor count or an OPM and potentially reach global supremacy.

Thats actually true there. Unlike CK or EU in HoI3 you couldn t expect to become really dominant. Not only cause of the small industrial capacity you have but also because you just can t hold up with the technological progress the big nations have. (they are researching about 15-20 techs simultaneously, while a minor nation can only research about 5-7)
((Thats actually a change in HoI4 i absolutely love, so everyone can research nearly to the same speed, so minors become much more playable there).

It can be fun to play a minor Nation, especialy in a Multiplayer game with 1 or 2 Friends. But you must understand that you are "just" a Supporter of your "bigger friends" then. Helping out here and there with some Divisions or putting your attention on a smaler area to cover them/flank/conquer low guarded territorys, while your "big Brother" defends you against stronger Attacks. In the end you will not conquer all of Europe and color it in your paint.
But in HoI the Gameplay itself is more about bringing your Faction to Victory, not your Nation itself.


So if you understand the "role" you play as a minor, it can really be fun, but its a difference to the other Grand Strategy titles Paradox offers =)

 

[Jmland]

Spain to start, Spanish civil war will give basic ground and some air experience, and the possibility of naval and amphibious operations (but not required).
Finland for learning defensive land warfare
Nationalist China for the same
Rumania gives you a chance to build a small tank force to participate in Barbarossa
Italy for all around experience

 

[Sir Garnet]

Romania, like many minors, can pick one thing to do it well. It has more manpower than its minor neighbors and a long Soviet frontier. Romania starts with some 30s-style armor. Focusing on tanks leaves most of its army weak and lagging. Supporting tanks with cavalry (or equivalents such as motorcycle or bicycle infantry) as a mobile force is useful if carefully used. Pushing heavily the development of modern infantry with good artillery, anti-tank and communications support is the sensible course for a tough and relatively large army to support grand battle plans. Adding a modest air force is also useful.

Arguably countries with less manpower have more reason to go more into the technical arms, as do minors isolated by oceans such as Canada or Australia.

 

[zapdragon]

if hoi 3 is any indication, Japan is a good choice. you start out with an enemy that is les powerful than you, (relatively) weak neighbors, a pretty loyal populace, and plenty of room to grow

 

[Joebobpants]

I personally would do Canada. You're far enough away you have a smaller chance of being invaded, but you have the option to participate in multiple theaters such as Europe Africa and possibly the Pacific. All this while not having the overwhelming feeling of the United States.

 

[A7X Anubis]

I like to play as Commie China or Yugoslavia, but its up to you