Paradox Development Studio isn't wasting any time following the recent release. The developers have confirmed that the first post-launch patch for Hearts of Iron IV is scheduled to drop this week. Crucially for those of you already deep into a 1942 run, this update will be fully save-game compatible, so you won't need to restart your campaigns.
Addressing the Coal Economy
If you've been diving into the new mechanics, you likely have strong opinions on the Coal resource implementation. It's been the primary topic of discussion in the community since launch, and the devs have acknowledged the feedback. While the exact numerical values haven't been posted yet, the team confirmed they are actively working on changes to how Coal functions.
This quick reaction suggests the current economy might be slightly overtuned or introducing too much friction into the production lines. We expect details on these adjustments alongside the patch notes.
Will this fix the late-game lag?
Performance remains the endgame boss of every HOI4 campaign. This patch is targeting specific stability issues, particularly for multiplayer sessions. The update includes a fix explicitly designed to reduce lag, though the scale of the impact remains to be seen until we get hands-on.
Naval AI Improvements
Beyond the economy, the patch is taking a wrench to the Naval AI. Inconsistent fleet behavior has been a long-standing gripe, so seeing "effectiveness improvements" on the docket is promising. Ideally, this means the AI will be smarter about task force composition and engagement rules rather than sending screens to their doom without capital ship support.
Patch Highlights:
- Release Window: This week (Late November 2025)
- Compatibility: Save-game compatible
- Key Focus: Coal mechanic adjustments based on player feedback
- Technical: Multiplayer stability and lag reduction fixes
- Combat: Naval AI logic improvements and general balance changes