In the mod The New Order: Last Days of Europe (TNO) for Hearts of Iron IV, Andrei Zhdanov is a prominent alternativehistory figure who can emerge as the de facto leader of Komi under the leftwing path. Unlocking the Zhdanov route requires careful political maneuvering, influence management, and focus decisions. Knowing how to get Zhdanov in TNO is essential for players who want to explore the ultravisionary socialism branch and experience its unique events and technological projects. This guide explains step by step how to access the Zhdanov path, including strategies for influence, focus progression, and the political context needed.
The Political Landscape of Komi in TNO
Komi’s Ideological Factions
In TNO, Komi has three major ideological paths: left, center, and right. The left faction includes Mikhail Suslov (Bolshevism), Andrei Zhdanov (Ultravisionary Socialism), and Svetlana Bukharina (Left Communism). If you choose a leftist route and boost the popularity of Andrei Zhdanov above others, you may unlock his unique national focus tree. Tosh prioritizes scientific ambition and ideological purification through state control and futuristic experiments.:contentReference
Why Zhdanov Matters
Zhdanov’s leadership path offers a radically different vision for a Komi-led Russian state. Under his rule, the ideology leans toward authoritarian socialist science experiments and visionary technocracy. His route unlocks projects such as cosmic research, cybernetic programs, and pseudoscientific innovations.:contentReference
StepbyStep: How to Get Zhdanov in TNO
Step 1: Choose Leftist Faction Early
Early in the Komi campaign, you’ll be offered decisions and focus branches that influence faction popularity. From the beginning, prioritize leftleaning decisions that advance the influence of the Communist Party of Komi (KPK). Suppress centrist and right options when possible. This sets up later opportunities to back Zhdanov specifically.:contentReference
Step 2: Influence Management
- Use political focuses that increase KPK popularity and suppress rival factions.
- Adjust events to keep Zhdanov’s personal influence above Bukharina’s and Suslov’s.
- Keep the balance: avoid letting Zhdanov’s influence dip too low; you may need to suppress rivals or bolster Zhdanov through decisions.
According to veteran modders, the most reliable method is to manipulate influence so that at the regional stage of Komi’s path progression, Zhdanov overtakes other left leaders and his focus tree becomes available.:contentReference
Step 3: Advance to Regional Stage
Once your leftist faction reaches dominance in Komi, you unlock the regional stage. At this point, a coup or internal contest can elevate Zhdanov from influence to actual leadership. Provided his personal influence and ideological popularity are highest among leftist candidates, you will branch into the Zhdanov national focus tree.:contentReference
Tips to Secure Zhdanov’s Rise
Suppress Other Left Figures When Needed
If Suslov or Bukharina begin to surpass Zhdanov in popularity, focus decision events or partisan actions can reduce their standing. This includes targeted propaganda or decisions that penalize them. The key is keeping Zhdanov in the lead.:contentReference
Keep Balance with Center and Right
While pushing the left, don’t allow centrist or right factions to eclipse total power. Use suppression or political events to control them as well, ensuring Komi remains under leftwing control overall. That creates the conditions for Zhdanov specifically to stand out.:contentReference
Enjoy the Ultravisionary Focus Tree
Once unlocked, Zhdanov’s tree gives you access to futuristic science projects like mental communication research, collective consciousness programs, cybernetics, and more. Some of these deliver ambitious effects but carry risks of pseudoscience failures or economic strain.:contentReference
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Allowing Other Left Leaders to Dominate
If Suslov or Bukharina exceed Zhdanov in leftist influence, you’ll branch into their focus trees instead. Zhdanov’s path will be inaccessible unless you can regain influence through events or suppression.
Navigating Suppression Too Harshly
Excessive suppression of rival factions may cause unrest or backlash. Use political events carefully balance domination with stability.
Ignoring Ideological Balance
Neglecting center or right factions entirely can yield unexpected outcomes. The game may force a different power alignment if popular unrest builds or external powers intervene. Maintain enough suppression to dominate but not provoke instability.
Why Choose Zhdanov’s Route?
Unique Story Content
Zhdanov’s storyline includes dramatic ultraviolent science projects, ideological collapse warnings, and internal coups. His arc embodies TNO’s theme of divergent futures in Russia.:contentReference
Pros and Cons of Ultravisionary Socialism
On the plus side, you gain access to cuttingedge technology, radical research decisions, and strong ideological flavor. On the downside, many of those projects are pseudoscientific and can cause economic collapse or ideological backlash if they fail. Reddit discussion highlights: It’s like if Cave Johnson ran a country but somehow worse.:contentReference
Getting Zhdanov in TNO requires a deliberate leftleaning Komi path, influence manipulation, and suppressing rival leftist leaders. By boosting KPK popularity and ensuring Zhdanov leads among the left faction, you can unlock his distinct ultravisionary focus tree and explore a sciencedriven but unstable future. With the right strategy leveraging focuses, events, and balance you can guide Komi under Zhdanov’s vision, uncover unique content, and embrace TNO’s most controversial path.