Root: Underworld Expansion

Root: Underworld Expansion – New Factions, New Maps, Deeper Conspiracies

Take your next campaign of Root: A Game of Woodland Might and Right underground—literally. The Root: Underworld Expansion plunges deeper into the hidden corners of the forest with two brand-new asymmetric factions and two richly tactical new maps. Whether you want to bring imperial order or hatch chaos in secret, this expansion reshapes the battle for the woodland in wild, unpredictable ways.

If you already love the Root board game, this expansion adds more strategic diversity, more thematic intrigue, and more reasons to return to the great woodland again and again.

The Underground Duchy – Order From Beneath

Emerge from the depths as the Great Underground Duchy, a mole-led empire determined to reclaim the surface world. Their rule is meticulous, formal, and backed by powerful ministers who shape your political engine.

• Recruit Loyal Ministers: These influential figures grant powerful actions, allowing you to coordinate movement, build strongholds, and expand your influence.

• Dig Tunnel Networks: Avoid dangerous woodland paths by burrowing across the map, building an underground empire invisible to surface skirmishes.

• Balance Power and Prestige: Grow your influence carefully. The stronger your presence, the more sway you gain—but overreaching may lead to collapse.

The Duchy combines the engine-building power of the Marquise de Cat with the escalation and strategic finesse of the Eyrie Dynasties, offering a richly complex playstyle unlike any other.

The Corvid Conspiracy – Secrets and Sabotage

In the shadows of the woodland, the Corvid Conspiracy is plotting. This faction specializes in deception, confusion, and long-term traps. With a deck of hidden plots, the Corvids aim to destabilize the forest and take power while everyone else is looking the wrong way.

• Lay Hidden Plots: Every turn, you’ll secretly plant schemes—sabotage, snare, raid, or extort—and flip them to devastating effect.

• Trick Your Rivals: The Corvids play a game of bluffing and manipulation, forcing opponents to act on partial information.

• Surprise Takeovers: When your plots are revealed, they can swiftly shift the balance of power in your favor.

Mastering the Corvid Conspiracy means thinking several moves ahead and using misdirection to gain the upper hand—an ideal faction for players who love psychological strategy.

New Maps – Mountain and Lake Bring the Forest to Life

The Root: Underworld Expansion also includes two stunning new maps, each adding unique tactical challenges and opportunities.

Mountain Map

This rugged landscape features elevated outcroppings and blocked routes, creating natural chokepoints and forcing players to control the central pass to expand their influence.

• Dig Through the Mountains: Clear obstructions to create new paths across the map.

• Hold the High Ground: Control of the mountain pass becomes a critical power position.

Lake Map

Cross a tranquil, shimmering lake using a traveling ferry, enabling unexpected movement and new strategic possibilities.

• Control the Ferry: Gain mobility across vast sections of the board.

• Forge New Friendships (or Enemies): The ferry invites unorthodox alliances and rivalries, reshaping how factions interact.

Each map breathes fresh life into the Root game and synergizes with all existing factions from the base game, Riverfolk Expansion, and Marauder Expansion.

More Asymmetry, More Replayability

Just like the Root base game, the Underworld Expansion champions truly asymmetric design, where each faction plays with unique mechanics, goals, and tools. From the nefarious Marquise de Cat to the wandering Vagabond, and now to imperial moles and scheming corvids, no two games play the same.

This expansion is ideal for players who:

• Want to explore fresh faction dynamics

• Prefer a bluff-heavy playstyle (Corvids) or engine-building with depth (Duchy)

• Are looking for new maps to refresh their game nights

• Enjoy the creative storytelling that unfolds from asymmetrical factions

Whether you’re recruiting forces, capturing territory, or hatching conspiracies, the Underworld Expansion makes each decision matter even more.

Seamless Integration with Other Expansions

The Underworld Expansion pairs perfectly with:

• Root: Riverfolk Expansion – For trade and zealot-based mechanics

• Root: Marauder Expansion – For chaos-focused factions and hirelings

• Root: Clockwork Expansion – For solo and bot-based play

Each new faction in Underworld brings unique capabilities that interact dynamically with existing ones. The Underground Duchy’s infrastructure pairs well against the Riverfolk’s economy, while the Corvids’ trickery creates new challenges for factions like the Woodland Alliance and the Lizard Cult.

The result? A forest teeming with political tension, shifting alliances, and surprise plays—all leading to tense late-game showdowns.

What’s in the Box?

The Root: Underworld Expansion includes:

• Faction Board for the Underground Duchy

• Faction Board for the Corvid Conspiracy

• 2 Full Map Boards (Mountain and Lake)

• Faction Meeples, Tokens, and Components

• New Rulebook

• Updated Setup Guidelines for Compatibility with other expansions

The expansion supports 2–6 players when combined with the Root base game and previous expansions. It offers limitless replay value, ensuring no two forest conflicts unfold the same way.

Tactical Play Meets Storybook Aesthetics

Like all titles from Leder Games, the Underworld Expansion is brimming with charm. Kyle Ferrin’s iconic art adds personality and flair to every plot card, map, and character token.

But beneath the whimsy lies a game of sharp tactics, clever bluffs, and ever-changing alliances. In the Root: Underworld Expansion, strategy and style coexist in perfect balance.

Why You’ll Love Root: Underworld Expansion

• New asymmetric factions with deep strategy

• Two new maps that change the tempo and layout of the game

• Expanded player count and faction combinations

• Unparalleled replayability

• Endlessly strategic and full of surprise moments

• Pairs perfectly with other Root expansions

If you're a fan of Root: A Game of Woodland Might and Right, or looking to dive back into the Root board game experience with fresh content, the Underworld Expansion is a must-have.

Add intrigue. Add imperial ambition. Add conspiracies and control.

With the Root: Underworld Expansion, the forest is never the same twice.