Getting Started

Install Millennium Dawn, enable it in a separate playset, and match your HOI4 version to the mod release you selected. Start with no other mods enabled.

Installation

Steam Workshop (Recommended)

1. Open Hearts of Iron IV in Steam
2. Go to the Workshop tab
3. Open the official Millennium Dawn page (opens in new tab)
4. Click Subscribe and wait for Steam to finish the download
5. Launch Hearts of Iron IV
6. Add Millennium Dawn to a separate playset and enable only that copy of the mod

Manual Installation

1. Download the version you want from GitHub Releases (opens in new tab). Check its supported HOI4 version before installing.
2. Extract the mod into a folder named Millennium-Dawn inside your HOI4 mod directory:
   • Windows: Documents/Paradox Interactive/Hearts of Iron IV/mod/
   • Mac: ~/Documents/Paradox Interactive/Hearts of Iron IV/mod/
   • Linux: ~/.local/share/Paradox Interactive/Hearts of Iron IV/mod/
3. Keep the game folders (common, events, and others) directly inside Millennium-Dawn, not inside another nested archive folder.
4. Copy Millennium_Dawn.mod from the extracted folder into the parent mod/ directory. Its path must point to mod/Millennium-Dawn.
5. Enable the local mod in the launcher. Do not enable the Workshop copy alongside it.

For a Git checkout rather than a release archive, use Developer Setup. Development updates can invalidate saves, so keep separate test saves.

First Steps

Choosing a Nation

Millennium Dawn offers a wide variety of nations to play as:

• Major Powers: United States, China, Russia, European Union
• Regional Powers: India, Brazil, Japan, United Kingdom
• Smaller Nations: Any nation from the year 2000 onwards

Understanding the Interface

The mod introduces several new mechanics:

• Modern Technology Tree: Research contemporary equipment and systems
• Economic Management: Balance budgets, trade, and industry
• Political Systems: Navigate modern governance and elections
• Diplomatic Options: Engage in contemporary international relations

Basic Gameplay Tips

1. Start Small: If you’re new to the mod, try a smaller nation first
2. Focus on Economy: Modern warfare requires a strong economic base
3. Research Priority: Focus on key technologies for your chosen strategy
4. Diplomatic Relations: Build alliances and manage international tensions

Common Issues

Performance

• The mod is resource-intensive due to its complexity
• Consider reducing graphics settings if experiencing lag
• Close other applications while playing

Crashes

• Match HOI4 to the version supported by your selected mod release, not simply the newest game patch
• Check that all DLC is up to date
• Verify mod files are not corrupted
• Follow the Troubleshooting Guide if a clean playset still fails

Compatibility

• Millennium Dawn is not compatible with most other mods
• Disable other mods when playing Millennium Dawn
• Some DLC features may not be available

Next Steps

Once you’re comfortable with the basics:

• Explore the Tutorials section for detailed strategies
• Check the Changelog for the latest updates
• Join the Discord (opens in new tab) to share your experiences

Want to Contribute?

If you are interested in developing content for Millennium Dawn:

• Read Developer Setup to get the dev version running
• See the Contributing Guidelines (opens in new tab) for code standards and the PR process
• Check the Content Review Guide to understand quality expectations

Need Help?

• GitHub Issues: Report bugs and request features
• Steam Workshop: Community discussions and guides
• Discord: Join our community server for real-time help