Small Wars: Mohicans is the first game in the Small Wars series, covering the French and Indian War (1754–1760) from a historical tactical perspective. It is available as a digital board game and a printed version that was funded through Kickstarter in April 2024. The game offers a quick yet deep experience to explore the vast forest conflicts in North America during the 18th century, pitting British regular forces, with their mix of soldiers and militias, against French troops allied with native tribes.
Overview and Development History of Small Wars: Mohicans

Small Wars: Mohicans is a digital re-release of both the board game and computer version, based on the original Canadian game “Mohawk” (1983). The Kickstarter campaign launched in April 2024 and achieved 108% of its funding goal within a month, ensuring the release of both the printed and digital versions. The digital version was officially released on Steam on November 21, 2024, developed by Avalon Digital and Foible Games, and published by Avalon Digital.
Gameplay and Core Mechanics
The game is divided into two phases:
- Building Phase: Players assemble tactical ship pieces, which represent battalions, support units, and militias on their map, aiming to achieve specific time-limited objectives before the deadline.
- Campaign/Skirmish Phase: Battles simulate a series of turns representing troop movements, weapon fire, and the involvement of tribal leaders, taking into account the dense terrain and forests that provide advantages for maneuvering and ambushes.
Victory conditions vary by side:
- The British regular forces aim to control a set of objectives before the end of the sixth year (1760).
- The French forces and tribes win if they can delay the achievement of these objectives until time runs out.
Factions and Units
- British Forces: Excel in firepower and unit numbers but are vulnerable to supply line disruptions in the forests.
- French Forces: Have better mobility thanks to Courriers de Bois units and militias, supported by native tribes skilled in ambush tactics in the terrain.
- Militia Units: Provide both sides with additional advantages but are less defensively capable than regular soldiers.
Additions and Future Content
- Avalon Digital follows a regular update approach to improve balance and performance, with new scenarios added in update 1.09 released on March 1, 2025.
- The developers plan expansions covering other conflicts within the Small Wars series, such as the Peninsular War, the Philippine–American War, and the Vietnam War.
Reviews and Critiques of Small Wars: Mohicans

- The game has received mixed reviews due to its tactical depth and quick rounds, with Metacritic rating it as a promising strategy game with a “Mixed/Average” score so far.
- Kotaku praised the ease of learning and the speed of tactical sessions, calling it “an excellent choice for military history enthusiasts.”
- The YouTube channel “The Players’ Aid” provided a positive review of the printed version, commending the quality of components and clarity of rules.
- The First Look video on ConsimWorld highlighted the depth of strategic movement and the need to use terrain efficiently for deception and ambushes.
Tips for New Players
- Position tribal units in the early turns for ambushes to weaken the early British flow.
- Focus on achieving primary objectives first before expanding operations to secondary targets.
- Do not stack regular soldiers in one location; instead, spread them out to secure supply lines.
Community and Technical Support
The player community plays a crucial role in supporting Small Wars: Mohicans through various channels:
- Players share their strategies and discuss technical issues and solutions, as well as exchange gameplay experiences against AI or online competition.
- Supporters follow development progress through updates from the developers on the campaign page, where announcements are made about the digital print version and new gameplay methods.
- Avalon Digital ensures support for console operation and cooperative gameplay through Steam Deck and Remote Play Together for a comfortable multiplayer experience.
Scenario Editor and Game Modifications
The digital version provides tools to customize the experience:
- Scenario Editor: Allows you to design new maps and alternative wars within the framework of the French and Indian War, adjusting victory conditions and battle circumstances.
- User Mods: Although there is no official workshop, some groups on Discord and Reddit share enhanced interface settings and unit images, enriching the visual diversity of the game.
Future Expansions and Roadmap
The Avalon Digital team plans to expand the Small Wars series to cover other historical wars, according to the official website:
- Peninsular War: A Napoleonic conflict aimed at refining terrain mechanics and large armies.
- Philippine–American War: To experience colonial conflicts at the end of the 19th century.
- Vietnam War: Continuing from traditional warfare stages to guerrilla warfare in the 20th century.
Advanced Gameplay Tips

- Try to achieve early victories to gain the support of one of the Iroquois tribes before they switch to the opposing side, as each tribe can influence the outcome of victory.
- Mixing regular forces with militias and ranger units allows you to adapt more easily to terrain surprises and ambushes.
- Gradual withdrawal from losing battles helps minimize losses and keeps your forces ready for subsequent rounds.
- Smartly distributing supply lines prevents them from being cut off by French Courriers de Bois units and ensures reinforcements arrive on time.
With the support of an active community, powerful customization tools, and ambitious expansion plans, Small Wars: Mohicans proves to be a successful starting point for a rich and evolving historical strategy series. Whether you are a fan of historical board games or enjoy fast-paced digital challenges, you will find in this experience what fuels your military passion.
Small Wars: Mohicans offers a quick and focused historical tactical experience covering a critical period in the formation of North America, with a good balance between simplicity and deep decision-making. Whether you are a board game enthusiast or looking for a digital strategy experience, you will find in this game rich content and enjoyable challenges.

