Hearts of Iron IV: By Blood Alone

About

Build a new empire, resist foreign aggression or explore the limits of neutrality in Hearts of Iron IV: By Blood Alone. This new expansion for Paradox Interactive’s World War II grand strategy wargame adds new alternate history options and gameplay variety for three nations, as well as other significant changes.

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4
Based on
1419 reviews
Country Compatibility:
Languages:
Developer:
Paradox Development Studio
Publisher:
Paradox Interactive
Release date:
27 September 2022
Genre:
Strategy,Simulation
Recent Steam reviews:
Mostly Positive (10)
All Steam reviews:
Mostly Negative (1419)
User tags*:SimulationSingleplayerMultiplayerHistoricalSurvival

Media

Game features

Single-player

Multi-player

Co-op

Downloadable Content

Steam Cloud

Steam Achievements

Steam Trading Cards

Family Sharing

Remote Play on Tablet

Steam Workshop

Cross-Platform Multiplayer

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Description

Build a new empire, resist foreign aggression or explore the limits of neutrality in Hearts of Iron IV: By Blood Alone. This new expansion for Paradox Interactive’s World War II grand strategy wargame adds new alternate history options and gameplay variety for three nations, as well as other significant changes.

Features of Hearts of Iron IV: By Blood Alone include:

  • New Italian Focus Tree:

    Follow the historical path of Mussolini's Italy or rewrite history by restoring power to the monarchy, leading a Communist revolution or replacing Mussolini with one of a variety of new contenders.

  • New Ethiopian Focus Tree:

    Defy the odds to defeat the Italian invader or resist the conqueror from abroad using unique Government in Exile abilities.

  • New Swiss Focus Tree:

    Surrounded by France, Germany and Italy, the mountain nation of Switzerland finds strength in its neutrality, balancing competing factions and overtures from the great powers.

  • New Peace Conference Options:

    Demilitarize zones of the map or entire nations, bid on the capital ships of defeated powers, or claim control of enemy resources or factories as reparations.

  • Aircraft Designer:

    Design and build your own planes, from nimble interceptors that prioritize speed to durable bombers crafted to unload tons of destruction from high above.

  • Unit Medals:

    A log of each division’s accomplishments lets you track their performance, and even allows you to award unique medals to division commanders for their actions in the field.

  • Embargo Interaction:

    Embargo your enemies with a new diplomatic interaction, preventing them from trading with you if they have generated enough world tension.

  • New Unit Models:

    Over 20 new unit models for Italy, Ethiopia, and Switzerland

  • New Plane Models:

    67 new plane models

  • 12 New Music Tracks

Recommended system requirements

minimum*

OS *:
Windows® 7 64 Bit | Windows® 8.1 64 Bit | Windows® 10 Home 64 Bit
Processor:
Intel® Core™ i5 750 | AMD® FX 4300
Memory:
4 GB RAM
Graphics:
Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 470 (1.28GB) | AMD® HD 5850 (1GB) | Intel Iris Xe G7 (Tiger Lake) | AMD® Radeon™ RX Vega 11 | Steam Deck
DirectX:
Version 9.0
Storage:
2 GB available space
Sound Card:
Direct X- compatible soundcard
Additional Notes:
Mouse and keyboard are required. / Latest available WHQL drivers from both manufacturers/ Internet Connection or LAN for multiplayer, Up to 32 other players in multiplayer mode.

recommended*

OS:
Windows® 10 Home 64 bit
Processor:
Intel® Core™ i5 2500K | AMD® Ryzen 3 2200G
Memory:
6 GB RAM
Graphics:
Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 570 (1.28GB) | AMD® Radeon™ HD 7970 (3GB) | Intel Iris Xe G7 (Tiger Lake)
DirectX:
Version 9.0
Storage:
2 GB available space
Sound Card:
Mouse and keyboard are required. / Latest available WHQL drivers from both manufacturers/ Internet Connection or LAN for multiplayer, Up to 32 other players in multiplayer mode.

User reviews

dioytd
Not recommended | 20 Mar 2026

DLC, gave us alot of new features, although its disappointing they are locked behind a DLC. I also wish some of the achievements were a bit more enjoyable/creative rather than just doing some focuses. I also don't

Helpful: 19
rat
Not recommended | 29 Dec 2025

Paradox is a horrible, greedy company that LOATHES their playerbase and tries to squeeze them dry for basic gameplay features that should be free updates. It's sad how if you buy a paradox game, you'll eventually be

Helpful: 104
bongokat11
Recommended | 10 Feb 2026

Plane designer is OP, other than that, this DLC is mid, to say the least. I still recommend it though if you are a perfectionist like me who wants to see the enemy airforce vaporized into thin air

Helpful: 13
Asura Deva
Not recommended | 09 Mar 2026

By Blood Alone adds some new content like planes and a focus tree for Switzerland, but most of it feels overcomplicated and frustrating. The focus tree is cluttered with too many pointless decisions, making it easy to

Helpful: 14
Calimeray
Not recommended | 19 Mar 2026

We can't play the game in the multiplayer lobbies because of cheaters. They crash the lobbies or cancel the DLCs. You can't possibly be unaware of this situation. You haven't provided a solution yet. It's time for us to

Helpful: 8
Treedodger
Recommended | 11 Jun 2026

By Blood Alone gives Italy and Ethiopia much needed love and massively opens up their options. I have played as both many times trying their different options and have had much fun. The aircraft designer has been fun to

Helpful: 6