Bayou
Bayou is an original water map where four Cherokee and Seminole villages occupy islands through the center. The island chain makes Native access part of the naval and land contest: players must reach the villages across water and then hold the sites needed to establish alliances.
Map character
Scout the central islands and identify which Cherokee and Seminole villages are present before planning Trading Posts. Check the crossings and shoreline at the same time, since a force that can reach an island may still be vulnerable while workers build there. Keep a route open for reinforcements instead of committing the entire army to one isolated post.
What to scout
An alliance in the center is valuable when its units or improvements fit the plan and the island can be defended. Use naval or transport support to reach the objective, then protect the Trading Post with land units. If the opponent controls the water, secure safe gathering and prepare to contest the islands later.
Reach the central island settlements safely
Cherokee and Seminole villages occupy islands through the center, making boats and shore control important to alliance access. Locate the villages and identify where workers can construct Trading Posts without being trapped. Keep a route open for reinforcements and avoid sending the whole army to one island. The Native settlement contest is linked to naval control as well as land strength.
Shallow marsh limits both building and naval play
Bayou always places four Cherokee and Seminole villages on islands through the middle. Buildable ground is limited in the swamp, which makes conventional walls and defensive layouts difficult. Docks can be constructed, but the shallow water prevents players from deploying a navy, so do not plan a ship-based crossing as on a deep-water map. Hunts and Silver Mines are scattered, with relatively few near each starting position. Scout the island chain and resource pockets early; the central Native sites are valuable, but raiding the opponent’s exposed economy can also be straightforward.