Small Wars: Mohicans

Small Wars: Mohicans is a strategy game about the French and Indian War in northeastern North America. Based on the 1983 Canadian board game Mohawk, it covers the years 1754 to 1760, ending a year after British forces conquered Quebec. You command British regular forces or the French regular and irregular forces and their local allies as both sides contend for control of the region.

The war in North America

The British have advantages in firepower and numbers, while the French are more mobile. Indigenous allies can use the terrain, especially the extensive forests, to their advantage, and British supply lines are more vulnerable to being cut off. Both sides also seek support from the neutral Iroquois Confederacy: after each major battlefield victory, one of its six tribes offers support to the winning side. If one side wins the support of all six tribes, the Confederacy joins the fight.

The British win by holding three of the French cities and towns of Louisbourg, Frontenac, Duquesne, Montreal and Quebec, including at least one of Montreal or Quebec, by 1760. Otherwise, the French win by default. The French can also win by capturing Albany and one of New York, Boston or Philadelphia.

Campaign and combat

Each year, forces move seasonally before combat takes place at different locations. Battles can include woodland ambushes, landings, raids on enemy villages and towns, field battles and assaults on forts. During the winter between each of the war’s seven years, you receive reinforcements, muster militia and Indigenous forces, and can build forts.

The campaign map covers colonial North America in the 1750s, from Virginia to Eastern Canada, with over 100 locations. Land forces include Couriers des Bois, British Rangers, Indigenous warriors, town militia, and colonial and European regular troops. At sea, warships clear the way for supply and troop ships carrying reinforcements from Europe. You can use ambushes, sea invasions, raids and fort construction to gain an advantage.

Game modes

The game supports one or two players, with single-player games against the AI and local or online multiplayer. Local multiplayer supports two controllers, and online play includes cross-platform multiplayer. A video game session takes about 45 minutes; the board game takes about two hours, though playtime can range from one to many hours.