Bayonets & Tomahawks is a 2-player strategic game focusing on the French & Indian War 1755-1760. One player controls the British and the other takes the lead of the French and most Indians (some will be supporting British). We have full array of era-related concepts: Indian diplomacy, raids, constructions, naval operations, sieges, etc. Everything to immerse players in the fascinating military asymmetries of the 18th-Century colonial frontier.
With just recently published second edition of this fantastic and beautiful game, I would like to gather in one place and share some interesting materials, which can be used for quick familiarization with it. On top of this, I will add more advanced materials, with deep strategic analysis as well as game-play examples.
I hope you will have so much fun with this title as I do!
So what do we get in the box?
Let us start slowly, with briefly showing the game components, explaining their functions, basic game mechanics as well as victory conditions. This material is dedicated to people completely unfamiliar with this title, who would like to learn something about it and have information to decide whether to delve deeper.
How to play the game? What are its mechanics?
This is probably my best and most comprehensive material on Bayonets & Tomahawks. A full explanation of all the rules and game mechanics with examples. Sounds daunting? It should not be – the material is divided into sections with separate link to every which allows you to jump to ones you are interested in!
Detailed example of 1775 scenario
So we know the game details, what it is about, how to play it, how to win. Now we are getting into the most advanced section – strategy! In below video we shall play 1755 scenario, explaining what are strengths and weaknesses of both sides, what are their options, threats and possibilities. And then try to follow the suggestions in real gameplay. Again, material is divided into smaller, easily digestible chunks allowing you to jump to section you are interested in!
How to sort and store the game?
I am fan of properly storing and sorting the game components so I can quickly set-up the scenario and then efficiently clean it up. And what would be better for that purpose than Cube4Me trays and car holders! This is small footprint game, but even such title can benefit greatly from such solution!
I played Bayonets & Tomahawks extensively when it was first published. It still lands on the table from time to time – the time to play, the beauty of the map, the straightforward mechanics (well, with exception of somehow more complicated battle resolution process) make it a perfect title for weekend afternoon or even weekday evening. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I do!
The Boardgames Chronicle 