The surrender limit in Hearts of Iron 4 (Hoi4) is the crucial threshold that determines when a nation capitulates during wartime.
Understanding the Surrender Limit
A country's surrender limit dictates the maximum percentage of national unity it can lose before it is forced to capitulate. As a nation loses territory, its national unity decreases. Once this national unity falls to or below its surrender limit, the country will capitulate to the enemy.
- General Limit: Generally, a country's surrender limit cannot go below 20%. This means that once a nation's national unity drops to 20% or lower due to the loss of controlled territory, industrial capacity, and population, it will capitulate.
- Consequences of Capitulation: When a country crosses its surrender limit, it immediately capitulates. This often leads to the country being occupied by the victor or broken up into new states. The nation that has dealt the highest war score against the capitulating country will be the primary recipient of its territory and resources.
The Unique Japanese Exception
While the 20% minimum is standard, there is a very specific and rare exception that allows Japan's surrender limit to fall even lower. This unique scenario only occurs if Japan meets a combination of severe setbacks:
- Territorial Losses: Japan must lose control of both Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
- Naval Weakness: Its navy must be significantly crippled, having fewer than 40 ships remaining.
- Nuclear Strikes: Japan must have been hit by two nuclear bombs.
Only when all these catastrophic conditions are met can Japan's surrender limit drop below the usual 20% minimum, prolonging its fight despite overwhelming odds.
