Don’t Tread on Me: The American Revolution Solitaire Board Game (2014) Board Game

Don’t Tread on Me: The American Revolution Solitaire Board Game is a wargame that allows players to experience the American Revolutionary War from a unique solitaire perspective. Designed by Tim Allen, Jonathan Carnehl, Ben Madison, and John Trumbull, this game was released in 2014 by White Dog Games.

Game Components of Don’t Tread on Me: The American Revolution Solitaire Board Game

Map: Covers the original 13 colonies, parts of Canada, the seas off the Eastern Seaboard, and references the Caribbean.

States: Divided into 5 large regions – New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Carolina.

Force Pool Boxes: Hold units for both British and American forces.

Naval Units: Four ships – R. Howe, Parker, Graves, and Arbuthnot.

Smuggler Mechanic: Represents rebels’ attempts to receive arms and ammunition.

Turn Record Track: Guides the player through the game sequence and objectives.

Prisoners of War Box: Manages captured units.

Play Aids: Included to help with the Sequence of Play.

How To Setup Don’t Tread on Me: The American Revolution Solitaire Board Game

Setup involves placing all available units into their respective Force Pool Boxes. The American Rebels’ units, including 16 Continentals and 3 Committee of Safety (COS) units, are placed upside down and mixed in their box. The player uses these boxes to draw units randomly as needed. The Naval units are also set up according to the initial game state. The map and Turn Record Track are prepared to track progress and objectives.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Play as the British: The player controls British and American Loyalist forces against the AI-controlled Continental forces.

State Loyalty: Manage state loyalty levels, which can change based on events and battle outcomes.

Naval Warfare: Use Naval units to intercept smugglers and maintain control over sea zones.

Target State: Each turn, the player must aim to control a designated Target State and two additional states by the end of the turn.

Liberty Marker: Advances if the player fails to control the required states, indicating growing patriot support.

Fund Management: Manage scarce funds to activate Naval units and other actions.

Player Experience

Playing **Don’t Tread on Me** is a challenging yet thematic experience. The game requires strategic thinking and resource management, as the player must balance military actions with political control and naval operations. The game’s design ensures that the player is constantly engaged, making decisions that impact the broader outcome of the American Revolution.

Pros

Historical Depth: Incorporates various historical aspects of the American Revolution, including political control and naval warfare.

Strategic Complexity: Offers a rich strategic experience with multiple layers of gameplay.

Thematic Elements: Successfully integrates historical elements into the game mechanics.

Play Aids: Includes helpful play aids to streamline gameplay.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: Can be challenging for new players due to the complexity of the game.

Playing as the British: Some players might find it less appealing to play from the British perspective.

Lengthy Playtime: Games can take up to 240 minutes to complete.

Personal Thoughts on Don’t Tread on Me: The American Revolution Solitaire Board Game

This game is ideal for fans of historical and strategic board games, particularly those interested in solitaire simulations. It offers a unique perspective on the American Revolution by placing the player in the role of the British, which can be a refreshing change for those accustomed to playing as the Continental forces. While it may not be for everyone due to its complexity and lengthy playtime, **Don’t Tread on Me** provides a deeply immersive and challenging experience that rewards strategic thinking and historical insight.

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