How to Play as Finland without getting stomped by the USSR?

[Shatter12]

Hi, just a simple question. How do you play as Finland (either historical or ahistorical) without getting stomped by the Soviets? I'm guessing go Fascist, and go to max conscription ASAP? I played Finland before, but found it quite difficult due to the lack of resources and industry, plus manpower (which is why I'm planning on running the Coring States Mod this time around). Is there any way to play it, and build up for the eventual invasion in late 39 to early 40s, and sustain it?
Thanks!

 

[Aldahen]

I've played only 1 game and that was when the game was released. So I'm far from expert and the AI is now more clever, but the two main tricks for my success in that game were:
- fortifications on the border to fight the USSR to a stand still.
- after you get your peace, grab Sweden for more resources and industry for the round 2.

 

[EltharionDrax]

- Go Fascist for the manpower and bonus for attack and defence on core-territories
- Either Superior Firepower or Mass Assault-doctrine, depending on your strategy.
- Only focus on INF, ART and AT. Ignore fortifications, ARM, Navy and Air-Force at least until after White Peace in the Winter War. You will not have time to build these up before Winter War triggers to make a big difference, just focus on delaying and micro your troops until Sov sues for White Peace. After that lend-lease from GER.
- Build only MIC and trade only the bare necessities, this is the only way your few troops will have the equipment they need.

 

[Emren]

Go communist and join the fight against the evil nazis. You should still conquer Sweden for the resources and extra industry.

EDIT: I would actually choose Grand Battleplan for the planning bonus, secondary choice would be Superior Firepower - but you're so far behind in industry that building enough artillery is an issue.

 

[Meglok]

Option 1: Go Communist, capture Sweden, Norway, Denmark, North Germany, denounce Soviets as Trotskyites and leave Comintern, stab them in the back.

Option 2: Stay neutral, fascist or democratic, die valiantly.

Finland's border is so long and infrastructure has so little impact even ai Russia will steamroll you. And you will get zero support from your ai allies.

 

[CrazyZombie]

And what do you expect from Finland? To be able to win against one of most powerful majors? Really?

Obvious way 1:
Join Axies and pray that Germany will be able to beat USSR before it will steamroll you.

Obvious way 2:
Join Allies and pray that USSR won't attack you or that allies would be usefull in case of war.

Obvious way 3:
Join Comintern and play a game of northern expansion, having your longest border covered by USSR. Communist choice is one of most profitable ones for neighbors of USSR or states that do not want to try make a deal with enormous ambitions of Germany or Italy.

 

[DicRoNero]

I'd try conquering Sweden first, then build up your Finland-Sweden border along the river (IIRC, 7 provinces until you face Norway) and then massively build up around Helsinki to keep on the verge of capitulating. This way you're effectively cut in two, but the front line is several times as short. Then play the game of attrition until USSR is hit by the Germans.

I'm aslo fairly sure you can achieve that while building a few BBs to keep you protected against the Baltic Fleet.

Obviously, you go fascist early and have Swedish industry working for you since 1938 or early 1939 at most.

 

[Bernard95]

I'd probably say Fascist for the manpower since you're in desperate need of it and then hope a combination of forts and the Grand Battleplan doctrine is enough to win the day. I've played a few nations in similar situations such as Lithuania, Poland and Belgium and forts + Grand Battleplan did the job.

 

[Shatter12]

I'd probably say Fascist for the manpower since you're in desperate need of it and then hope a combination of forts and the Grand Battleplan doctrine is enough to win the day. I've played a few nations in similar situations such as Lithuania, Poland and Belgium and forts + Grand Battleplan did the job.

I was planning on using the Mass Assault doctrine as, even though it's terrible, I only see myself using infantry and Anti tank until significantly later.

I'd try conquering Sweden first, then build up your Finland-Sweden border along the river (IIRC, 7 provinces until you face Norway) and then massively build up around Helsinki to keep on the verge of capitulating. This way you're effectively cut in two, but the front line is several times as short. Then play the game of attrition until USSR is hit by the Germans.

I'm aslo fairly sure you can achieve that while building a few BBs to keep you protected against the Baltic Fleet.

Obviously, you go fascist early and have Swedish industry working for you since 1938 or early 1939 at most.

So an ideal time to invade Sweden would be late 1937 (provided you go for the fascist route and demagogue until the Militarism focus)?

- Go Fascist for the manpower and bonus for attack and defence on core-territories
- Either Superior Firepower or Mass Assault-doctrine, depending on your strategy.
- Only focus on INF, ART and AT. Ignore fortifications, ARM, Navy and Air-Force at least until after White Peace in the Winter War. You will not have time to build these up before Winter War triggers to make a big difference, just focus on delaying and micro your troops until Sov sues for White Peace. After that lend-lease from GER.
- Build only MIC and trade only the bare necessities, this is the only way your few troops will have the equipment they need.

So ideally the plan is to build up until the germans launch Barbarossa?

 

[Space Chicken]

Attacking Sweden is gamey easy mode as even with historical play, Finland is very playable. Don't worry about winter war, you can lose it, but just get ready for 1941 summer. Most of the Soviet attention is with Germany so it's usually easy enough to take Murmansk and Leningrad early in the war, then push towards Moscow and Estonia. If resistance gets tough, just dig in and wait for a better moment. Remember that you don't need to win the war alone, but just slowly push and support Germany.

Fascist government makes manpower situation easier, but unless you are playing with hard difficulty, you have enough political power to get manpower through normal recruitment. Superior firepower is always good for infantry army, but Grand Battleplan works well for Finland also. You can dig in very hard so soviets can't push you and then push forward with the planning bonus. Defend, push, defend, push and ups, here is Moscow

Forgot to add. You must lose the winter war to make peace with Soviets. Wait until Barbarossa before you seriously fight.

 

[Czert]

why only invade sweden and not booth sweden and norway ?

 

[EltharionDrax]

So ideally the plan is to build up until the germans launch Barbarossa?

Basically, yes. SOV will have their hands full with GER and won't prioritze the Finnish front, sometimes even leaving it empty except for a few token troops. After that take Murmansk and Leningrad and start pushing down south, trying not to overextend your frontline.

 

[jarpo]

I played a game as Finland a while ago. I stayed neutral and never attacked anyone. When the soviets attacked I lost some ground but also gained better positions. The trick was to fill the border with weak brigades and rush the proper divisions where ever the red army attacked with large numbers. Eventualy Germany started threatening the Soviets enough for them to pull alot of forces away from my border. This enabled me to take Leningrad and Murmansk and eventually gain good defensive positions at lake Onega. I never pushed further because I didnt believe my manpower could handle that.

 

[blindasabat]

- go fascist
- research naval transport
- declare war on Dutch West Indies as soon as possible... manpower when puppeted
- naval invade Holland as they will fall easy
- build lots of indie troops
- fall back line along the mountains and rivers and then fortify up to level 4
Three army groups for defense
I also put 5 AA near the Russian border
Played with practice it will turn into a Russian meat grinder

 

[TheMoe]

Feedback Gaming just released an entire video about this exact topic. His stuff is always hilarious, and it works. Take a look.