What is the game Root about?

Animals battling for forest control with unique rules.

How do players win in Root?

By reaching 30 points with exponential scoring.

Marquis de Cat, Eerie Dynasty, Woodland Alliance, Vagabond.

Introduces new factions and gameplay dynamics.

Players need to attack to prevent a runaway leader.

Root is a complex board game that immerses players in a forest warfare narrative, with unique factions like the Marquis de Cat, Eerie Dynasty birds, Woodland Alliance rebels, and the Vagabond, each playing by distinct rules and strategies.
The Riverfolk expansion for Root introduces new factions and gameplay elements, enhancing the game's complexity and enjoyment, with features like conspiracies, beaver arms dealers, setting prices for river boats, and deploying killer beavers, offering players a deeper and more engaging experience.

What is the game Root about?
Animals battling for forest control with unique rules.
How do players win in Root?
By reaching 30 points with exponential scoring.
What are the factions in Root?
Marquis de Cat, Eerie Dynasty, Woodland Alliance, Vagabond.
What is the Riverfolk expansion for Root?
Introduces new factions and gameplay dynamics.
How is momentum important in Root?
Players need to attack to prevent a runaway leader.

00:00

Root is a war game that captured the attention of board gamers in 2018.
The game includes a double-sided map of a forest, cards with illustrations by Kyle Ferran, screen-printed animals, a manual, a learn-to-play book, and reference cards.
Root narrates the story of animal groups battling for forest control, each playing by unique rules.
Players control factions like the Marquis de Cat, who focus on strategic video game-like actions.
The game also features the Eerie Dynasty birds with a decree system for actions.
The Woodland Alliance, made up of rebels, uses supporters to create sympathetic clearings and set traps.
The Vagabond plays a roguish wanderer role, completing quests and interfering with powerful players.
Victory in Root is achieved by reaching 30 points, with exponential scoring for actions like building and recruiting.
Momentum is crucial in Root, with players needing to attack to prevent a runaway leader.
Root's design is praised for its aesthetic and components, but gameplay can feel frustrating and arbitrary, especially with a runaway leader.

16:06

Root is a complex game that requires significant time to learn, but its design and imagery are impressive, with unique touches like the Vagabond's animal selection resembling a fighting game.
To enhance the Root experience, playing with two, three, or four players is recommended, along with flipping the board to the winter side for a different gameplay dynamic.
The Riverfolk expansion for Root introduces new factions, including the Lizard Cults and the Mercantile Riverfolk Company, offering unique gameplay elements like conspiracies and beaver arms dealers.
The expansion adds components for a second Vagabond player, an AI replacement for the cat faction, and introduces new gameplay dynamics like setting prices for river boats and deploying killer beavers, enhancing the game's complexity and enjoyment.