Bayonets & Tomahawks (B&T) is a 2-player strategic game focusing on the French & Indian War 1755-1760. Its fluid yet rich system ensures fun for players of all levels. One player controls the British and the other controls the French and most Indians. Indian diplomacy, raids, constructions, naval operations, sieges: nothing is left out in order to immerse players in the fascinating military asymmetries of the 18th-Century colonial frontier.

A game of B&T can last 1 or more game years depending on the scenario chosen up to the full conflict. During each game year, there are 8 action rounds where players move their pieces on land and sea, perform raids, build forts and roads, etc. Battles/sieges usually occur at the end of each action round. A game year also includes 3 logistics rounds: Fleets arrive, Colonials enlist and Winter quarters.

B&T is card driven. But unlike most card assisted war games player don’t manage a hand of cards. Each player starts the year with one undisclosed reserve Action card picked randomly. At the beginning of each Action round, both players draw a new card. They must then choose one of their 2cards to play for the current round. The other card becomes their reserve for the next round. At each action round, the French player also gets a random Indians actioncard.

The Action points (AP) on the cards in play determine how many stacks of pieces a player can activate during the current round. In addition the cards trigger events and determine initiative for the next Action round. Movement is point to point. Pieces can also move via sea zones.

Each side has particular assets he must make the most of in order to achieve victory. The British have overwhelming numbers, the French are more adept at wilderness fighting with the help of their numerous Indian allies. To win, a player must control enough enemy key spaces to reach the scenarios Invasion victory points requirement by game end. In one-year scenarios, pieces removed permanently from play yield Invasion VP as well. The French player can also win if he succeeds in enough raids during the current year to reach the scenarios Raidvictory points requirement.

By its nature, the game lends itself to solitaire play. In bonus, the rules allow to split the actions of each camp methodically. This way, up to 2 British players (British, Colonial) and 3 French players (French, Canadien, Indian) can relive the historic pains of shared command.

(Description updated Dec. 21 2017)

“Through clever use of a period mapmaker’s perspective and the full inclusion of the maritime campaigns, Marc’s Bayonets & Tomahawks delivers both historical focus on the Champlain corridor and the full possibilities of naval operations. Not only squadron units and naval combat, but also artillery and road-building give Bayonets & Tomahawks a more explicitly military-operational feel. Marc’s design also provides a tense press-your-luck aspect to raiding and counter-raiding.”

–Volko Ruhnke, Vienna, Virginia

Introduction
“You have brought into this place the art of war of the world beyond the ocean; but for the knowledge of these forests and the way of making war here, we have the advantage over you.” –Indigenous leaders to French General Montcalm, August 5, 1757. War has broken out on the North American continent, pitting the French and British colonial empires against each other. Although they have faced off before, this time something is different: large scale European-style warfare transforms this theater of war. But the wilderness expanse as well as the involvement of many indigenous nations hampers Old World tactics. Will you be ambushed in the woods like British general Braddock in 1755? Will you charge desperately against disciplined volleys like French general Montcalm in 1759? Or will you perpetuate the glory of your king in the New World?

Bayonets & Tomahawks is a two-player grand strategic game depicting the French & Indian War, which raged from 1755 to 1760 and in which France’s North American empire was conquered. Take command of either the French or British to fight all facets of the conflict: army maneuvering, diplomacy with indigenous nations, raids, battles, construction, naval operations, sieges, and more. With scenarios varying from a single year to the whole war, as well as rules for team play, Bayonets & Tomahawks is perfect for new and experienced wargamers alike.

Each in-game Year contains nine Actions Rounds as well as three administrative Logistics Rounds. During Action Rounds, players use historically based cards for events and actions. This innovative system without hand management builds on card-driven games such as Twilight Struggle while keeping the game accessible and fast-paced. An exciting battle system featuring custom dice presents challenges that reward careful planning. Victory is achieved by capturing key spaces and conducting raids in enemy territory. Over just a few hours, relive a war that shaped the course of history in North America and beyond!

“Now, the battle is over, but we must still win a war. It is my fondest hope that the other British Generals will learn how war in America must be fought.”

–Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, July 16, 1755

Scenarios:
1755 Vaudreuil’s Petite Guerre
1757 Loudoun’s Gamble
1758 Amherst’s Juggernaut
1755-1759 French & Indian War campaign
Variants:
1755-56 Early French & Indian War
1758 An Ambitious British Offensive
1755-1759 French & Indian War with historical reinforcements
Plus:
Optional 1760 campaign year
Units: 300-1,500 men/16 cannons/5 ships of the line
Round: Approx. 3 weeks/more for early/late rounds
Players: 2 (Teamplay up to 4; also includes solitaire guidelines)
Time scale: 2 hours/year