HOI4 Expansion Pass 3 brings The Giant Wakes

HOI4 Expansion Pass 3 is out: The Giant Wakes reworks the US, Romania's To The Bitter End lands Nov 19 and The Price of Peace follows. Contents and price.

FireGhost

November 12, 2026, 09:50 PM4 min read

Contents10 sections

HOI4 Expansion Pass 3 is out now, and it brings the long-awaited United States rework to Hearts of Iron IV. Paradox's official press release from November 12 confirms four pieces of content, with the first pack arriving next week.

The announcement went out at 15:03 CET. The pass costs $43.99/£36.99/€43.99. If you are coming back after a break, our Hearts of Iron IV beginner's guide covers the basics.

What is in HOI4 Expansion Pass 3?

The headline item is The Giant Wakes. It reworks the United States from top to bottom. You can lead the country out of the Great Depression and turn it into an industrial giant. Paradox calls it building an Arsenal for Democracy. You can also shape the post-war world.

It goes beyond the US. Canada gets reworked content too, and Central American and Caribbean nations gain new paths. There are also changes to industry, army building and air landings.

Southeast Asia and the British Raj on the Hearts of Iron IV map — The Price of Peace store image (Source: Paradox Interactive / Steam)

Expansion Pass 3 at a glance

Songs of Liberty: three American patriotic songs, unlocked at once for pass owners
The Giant Wakes: expansion for the US, Canada and the Americas (Q1 2027 on Steam)
To The Bitter End: Romania focus pack, November 19
The Price of Peace: theater pack with the League of Nations (Q2 2027 on Steam)
Price: $43.99/£36.99/€43.99

What does the Romania pack To The Bitter End add?

Romania comes first. The press release says To The Bitter End launches on November 19 for $5.99. The To The Bitter End Steam page lists the same date.

Romania is framed as an oil-rich minor power caught between giants. Paradox built the pack with three modders. The focus tree offers several political routes:

Military dictatorship or a strengthened monarchy
Democratic reform or communist revolution
Two fascist paths involving the Iron Guard
An agrarian, oil-based economy or a modern arms industry
New diplomacy with former Entente allies

The Dacian Kingdom focus tree for Romania in Hearts of Iron IV — To The Bitter End store image (Source: Paradox Interactive / Steam)

There is also a new 3D model for Romania's Vânători de Munte mountain troops and a 3D Arcul de Triumf on the map. Two new music tracks and updated portraits round it out.

The Price of Peace and diplomacy changes

The last piece is The Price of Peace. This theater pack adds new diplomatic options, including the League of Nations, plus national content for Burma, South Africa, Yugoslavia and Venezuela. The Price of Peace Steam page lists it for Q2 2027.

What does it mean for players?

The US has been one of the most requested reworks in HOI4 for years, and The Giant Wakes finally answers that. It is not out yet, though. Steam lists it for Q1 2027, so buyers today will unlock content in stages.

The fan input is notable. Bringing modders onto an official pack fits how much of the community already plays. Paradox's wider catalogue is getting attention too, after Age of Wonders 4's free weekend on Steam.

Leadership is changing at the same time. GamesIndustry.biz reports that Fredrik Wester is stepping down as CEO, with Mattias Lilja taking over on January 4, 2027. Fans of Paradox's other grand strategy series can check our Europa Universalis 4 system requirements guide, or read how Crusader Kings III came to consoles.

Frequently asked questions

What is in HOI4 Expansion Pass 3?

It bundles four pieces of content: the Songs of Liberty music pack (available right away), the US-focused expansion The Giant Wakes, the Romania focus pack To The Bitter End and the theater pack The Price of Peace.

When does To The Bitter End release?

The Romania focus pack To The Bitter End launches on November 19, 2026 at a suggested price of $5.99/£4.99/€5.99. Expansion Pass 3 owners get it automatically.