Paradox Interactive designer Jamor has officially opened the floor for community feedback regarding the future of airborne operations in Hearts of Iron IV. In the latest 'Dev Corner' update for the PC title, the designer—who previously worked on Stellaris and Imperator—outlined a series of mechanical pain points that currently limit the utility of paratroopers.

Jamor, who notes that Hearts of Iron 2 was his first Paradox Development Studio game, argues that the current implementation of airborne forces has become too restrictive and mechanically frustrating for players. The critique focuses on the high level of micromanagement required for drops, which currently involves separate operation planning, the need to manually coordinate jump-capable troops with transports, and a reliance on air superiority that often makes the actual jump feel like a leap into the unknown.

Current Airborne Limitations

According to the developer, the current system suffers from four primary issues:

  • Tedious Planning: The process of setting up airborne jumps is overly manual and finicky.
  • Lack of Feedback: Units effectively teleport onto their objectives, making it difficult for either the attacker or defender to perceive that an operation is taking place.
  • Combat Ineffectiveness: Airborne troops often land with such high damage and disorganization that they are relegated to 'VP sniping' rather than functioning as viable combat divisions.
  • Fragility: High-profile, elite units—such as the 101st Airborne—can be completely wiped out by a single bad drop, which Jamor describes as an "anticlimactic" outcome for such specialized divisions.

Feedback Requested

Unlike the more polished 'Dev Diaries' which feature extensive screenshots and finished content, this Dev Corner is specifically designed to solicit player input. The development team is looking for two specific types of feedback: additional issues players have encountered with the current airborne system, and suggestions for how to improve the overall gameplay experience.

There is currently no official release window for these proposed changes, as the Dev Corner format is used for gathering ideas that may or may not be included in future updates. Players interested in contributing to the discussion are encouraged to leave their thoughts in the official comments section of the developer update.