<p>Heterogeneous nanostructured materials (HNMs) achieve enhanced strength-ductility combinations through synergistic interactions between microstructurally unique domains. Three hierarchical Inconel 725 coatings with distinctive nanoscale heterogeneous structures are synthesized by magnetron sputtering to investigate how different feature combinations and spatial arrangements collectively influence mechanical properties. Each sample contains multiple cross-sectional domains with varying assemblages of nanotwins, nanocrystalline-equiaxed grains, Cr/Mo-rich carbides, rafted grains, abnormally large grains, and δ-phase, examined via high-resolution nanoindentation mapping with scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Results indicate that modulus values fall within expected ranges for Ni-based superalloys, while hardness values reveal pronounced domain-specific contrasts. Specifically, comparing analogous domain property maps across coatings shows that those with Mo-rich carbides exhibit ~ 40% higher hardness in nanocrystalline-equiaxed regions and ~ 23% higher in coarse-grained regions relative to Cr-rich-only counterparts. These findings demonstrate the combined effects from feature-level interactions, precipitate type, surrounding grain structure, and architectural location in hierarchical coatings.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>