Hearts of Iron IV: Battle for the Bosporus — National Focus Trees for Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria

Bulgaria National Focus Tree

Bulgaria was part of the Central Powers during World War I. In World War II, it joined the Axis Powers in March 1941. This agreement allowed Bulgaria to claim parts of Yugoslavia and Greece.

The pact lasted until September 1944 when the Soviets advanced into Bulgarian lands following the annihilation of Nazi forces all across the Eastern Front. Bulgaria joined the Allies soon thereafter.

Bulgaria has loads of new National Focus Trees in Hearts of Iron IV: Battle for the Bosporus. Here are the main branches:

• Acquire Modern Tools – These are concerned with Bulgaria’s internal and military growth. You’ve got boosts in infrastructure, research, and buildings. Likewise, there are improvements to Bulgaria’s rearmament and modernization of its armed forces.
• Oppose the Royal Dictatorship
• Power to the Tsar

Oppose the Royal Dictatorship vs. Power to the Tsar

These two National Focus options are mutually exclusive. The former provides options regarding Bulgaria’s relations with Communist or Democratic blocs. The latter, meanwhile, delves into a non-aligned ideal.

• If you pick Oppose the Royal Dictatorship, you’ll eventually have to choose between Appoint Communist Ministers (closer ties with the Comintern) or Democratic Principles (closer ties with the Allies).
• If you choose Power to the Tsar, you’ll have to select between The Tsar’s Regime (non-aligned; may eventually join Allies) or Appoint Right-Wing Ministers (a somewhat historical route). The latter still lets you join the Allies early in the war, but you’ll need to pick another focus (Promote Bulgarian Nationalism) to unlock it.

At the end of these National Focus branches (and depending on your choices), more will open up for Bulgaria. Many of these are mutually exclusive either with the remaining choice or because of the options you’ve selected in the previous branch:

• Follow the Stalinist Doctrine – Bulgaria joins the Comintern.
• Balkan Federation of Socialist Republics – Create the Balkan Federation of Socialist Republics faction and invite Yugoslavia.
• A Balkan Confederation – Create the League of Balkan Confederacies faction and invite Greece.
• Join the Allies – Bulgaria joins the Allies.
• The Fate of the Balkans – Create the Greater Bulgarian Federation faction. Bulgaria gets a puppet war goal against neighboring European countries in the Balkans.
• Join the Tripartite Pact – The historical route where Bulgaria joins the Axis Powers.

Hearts of Iron IV: Battle for the Bosporus releases today, October 15. You can pick it up via Steam.