Comments - PANZEROO

BICE 2.5 version is due for release 18th September on the Steam workshop.

The BICE team who is now working on HOI3 BICE ahave recently released version 9 on the paradox forums. Its a new team since we have moved onto HOI IV BICE. They are based on the paradox forum so you will need to check in there for the new versions and any questions on HOI3 BICE directed to them.

The current workshop will host the new BICE 2.3 version which will be updated for paradox 1.4 patch
We will make another new workshop which hosts BICE 2.3 DLC version ( with such things as the equipment conversion mechanic from the DLC)
The new workshop will be the version which we develop further ( so its a good idea to eventually buy the DLC for the new game mechanics and new BICE)

But for those who won't or can't buy it, we have the old BICE available.

BICE HOI IV version 2.2 released on the steam workshop
Steamcommunity.com

Indepth discussion on the paradox BICE forum
Forum.paradoxplaza.com

2.2 changelog
Corrected AA tech for all subs for Patrol and LR subs to specific subs.
Reduced research cost for extra techs Ger subs and Ger Surface Fleet
Corrected typo in FRA Armor equipment
Corrected localisation for tech_kr > Kriegsmarine Surface Fleet
Added GFX commissar
Updated soviet armour tech tree by george parr
Reserves effects reduced - was making some nations fold too quickly
Irish aircraft events reworked By Alen
airborne artillery issue fixed
energico laws work ~
-Fixed spamming faction join event
-Fixed wrong law flags for Belgium
-Added correct traits to Churchill
-More scripted effects for future use
-Fixed BEL NF tree
-Re-worked "Churchill is Upset" event
-Re-localized "Stockholm Conference" event to avoid confusion
-Added missing law flags to Sweden
-Added ideas to simulate lasting effects of none/low training standards
-Fixed localization typos
-Added FAQ event chain at startup
-Added option to ideology flipping event chains to allow people to avoid civil war
-Fixed Around Maginot NF triggering wrong news event
-Removed date requirement for Beria availability
-Fixed SOV's Estonia claims being in the Karelia NF
-Fixed SOV localization
-Added events in case of SOV invasion of GER
-Changed "Germany Invades" SOV event GFX
-Made sure DEN joins Allies before it surrenders
-Fixed early ITA entry
-AI more likely to pick sympathetic judge
-Created new supreme commander traits
-Added 2 new generic SCs for europe and asia
-Added Clement Attlee to starting UK leaders
-Gave traits to UK country leaders
-Couple new UK events for mid-war politics and post-war election
-Re-balanced some traits
-Re-worked generic ministers, expanding the number created
-Added generic Heads of State for non-majors
-Made DEN surrender event AI only
-Everyone now either has historical starting cabinet or generic ministers/mil chiefs to fill holes
-Rebalanced Nationalization, economic mobilization, and bonds laws
-Added new GER monarchist leaders and ministers
-Added GER fascist judge Roland Freisler
-Made Ernst Thalmann leader of GER communists
-More trait rebalancing
-Gave out more leader traits
-Added "Rising Star" trait
-Added events for GER monarchy to choose its Kaiser and Chancellor
-Removed more law drifts
-Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu will no longer be available after he retires
CV fighter fixes by msslupu
news events by colonialrebel
Spanish Civil war tweaks to end the war in 1939 if certain conditions are met
Chinese incompetent industry no longer requires china to be at peace to be removed
Factory Bonuses tweaks by Hobel(NukeBoy235)
- added missing unique nation factories (Heavy and Light Aircraft for USA, ENG, JAP; Tank Factories - FRA, ITA) - events and localisation
- added/updated production bonuses for equipment to specialized factories(both generic and nation specific) - everything I could find (except radios and assault boats/pontoon bridges)
- updated AI Armor Bonus
Motorised, mech, armor equipment speed slightly increased across the board
leg infantry speed slightly reduced
monarchy flag work by duel obliteration
tech interface clean up by msslupu
strategic deployment speed increased slightly
generic armor fixes by msslupu
leader/minister GFX by colonialrebel
VP localisation tweaks by Duel Obliteration
rom, hun, den militia spam fixed
support equipment cost reduced slightly

Black ICE is a mod which aims to overhaul HOI IV in order to make a more immersive, historical, and challenging experience for the player.

BICE HOI IV is a huge and expansive work. If you played HOI3 BICE you will know what you are in for. If not, be warned BICE is not for the faint hearted. BICE tends to frighten casual players and takes a very dedicated and demands a serious and mature strategy gamer's attention.
To put it simply, BICE isn't for everyone. If you like high detail, complicated and multiple choices, options, and possibilities, BICE is for you.

BICE adds in a huge array of new equipment types, country specific armor, aircraft and ships for all the major nations.

National Focus trees have been worked on for all the majors and many of the minor nations, often thanks to other mods which have generously allowed BICE to use their NF trees.
There are also alot of map tweaks where we have added in various states and provinces.
Laws and politics are greatly expanded and allow for great detail in how you choose to run your nation.
We have also worked on and expanded the OOBs, templates, and production for all nations. Some techs will provide new units, some will provide upgrades and some will provide new equipment for existing units.
To help offset the costs of equipment specialised factories can be built such as tank factories, artillery factories, small arms factories etc. These map buildings will lower the cost of the associated equipment.
The AI is capable and fully functioning with all the techs, equipment and units where it makes sense in terms of gameplay and history.
BICE also includes alot of historical event OOBs and templates, mostly for famous divisions or the creation of formations such as the soviet conscripts.

we can't add new game mechanics into HOI3 ( or into HOI IV ) since the engines are hardcoded. All we can do is change what already exists if paradox have made it moddable.

this is intentional. artillery uses its high terrain attack modifiers to increase a division's attack and defence based on the terrain the division is fighting in.
so for example heavy artillery will do more damage in urban terrain than light artillery

try playing in windowed mode. This puts much less strain on the game engine and results in less crashes.

If you are having save game crashes...
"90% of the time the way to fix this is by deleting the blackice logs folder in user/documents ( make sure its blackice and not vanilla)
If that doesnt fix it, there is a thread on the paradox hoi3 blackice forum where people have posted their various fixes for save game crashes. It tends to vary for each person depending on their system, so what works for one person doesnt work for another. About half the players have the save game crash problem. No one on the dev team has the issue. So its up to you to find the solution."

background tasks shouldnt matter that much since you have a high end rig. The game engine can't really take advantage of your computer specs though as its too old :D. I run the mod fine in windowed mode. There will still be the occasional crash of course.

basically its a very old engine. You have to nurse it, and the best rig in the world won't necessarily make any difference. One thing you can do it play in windowed mode. This can help reduce the strain on the engine considerably. Make sure you are using podcat's TFH exe of course.

Black ICE Sprite Project by Aleksi_I - Forum.paradoxplaza.com

1. sprites are not supported in BICE. There is a sprites sub mod for BICE available on the paradox HOI3 BICE mod forum.

2. If you are having save game crashes...
"90% of the time the way to fix this is by deleting the blackice logs folder in user/documents ( make sure its blackice and not vanilla)
If that doesnt fix it, there is a thread on the paradox hoi3 blackice forum where people have posted their various fixes for save game crashes. It tends to vary for each person depending on their system, so what works for one person doesnt work for another. About half the players have the save game crash problem. No one on the dev team has the issue. So its up to you to find the solution."

there is a list of submods on the paradox sub forum for BICE ( perhaps a dozen or so submods are current ? ) beyond those nothing is reccommended or supported. You can of course install other mods if they also use the TFH/mods folder and don't change the vanilla game files.

We are doing the first version of BICE for HOI IV hopefully early August. Then we will finish 8.53 which should only take a week or so as its 90% ready. 8.53 will then be uploaded here.

BICE is a total overhaul, essentially its like a new version of HOI3. It changes most things and is much more indepth and complex than vanilla HOI3. You can play it as a HOI3 beginner since you will be learning the game anyway.

90% of the time the way to fix this is by deleting the blackice logs folder in user/documents ( make sure its blackice and not vanilla)
If that doesnt fix it, there is a thread on the paradox hoi3 blackice forum where people have posted their various fixes for save game crashes. It tends to vary for each person depending on their system, so what works for one person doesnt work for another. About half the players have the save game crash problem. No one on the dev team has the issue. So its up to you to find the solution.

you need to choose the type of armor base for your tanks ( either welded or cast ) this will be available by an event option within the first few game days.

not sure what you mean by that

thanks mate ! Now it's time to take HOI IV shake it upside down and let all the loose bits fall out, then reassemble it into a better game :D

8.52 is out on the paradox HOI3 site Blackice mods forum for some time now. We are slowly finishing up 8.53 whilst also starting on BICE HOI IV.

what are your system specs ? How much ram do you have / is it a 32bit or 64bit system ? Do you have podcat's TFh exe ? The files in Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron III\BlackICE are created by your computer when you successfully load the game.

what year, which country are you playing and what is your checksum ?

yes, and we have already changed the counters to be similar to the HOI3 BICE counters.

the website is no longer being supported.

do you have friendly nations which have units on land you control/or in ports/ airbases you control ? These will use your fuel even if they are simply moving through your land.

yes, we have began working on HOI IV

we will release 8.53 soon.

you have an install conflict. Make sure you manually delete the Blackice folder in TFH/mods and the mod launcher, then reinstall.

yes you will need the TFH expansion patched to 4.02 and then replace the TFH exe with podcat's TFH exe. win 10 and 8Gb ram is good, though it also needs to be a 64bit system.