The Best Root Expansions for Your Next Game Night

The Best Root Expansions for Might & Right during Your Next Game Night

Wondering if Root expansions are worth adding to your game collection? Root expansions bring new factions, strategies, and elements to your board game, enhancing replayability and excitement. This guide will detail each Root expansion and what it adds to your gameplay.

Key Takeaways

• Root’s expansions enhance gameplay by introducing new factions, maps, and mechanics while keeping strategies fresh and exciting!

• The Clockwork, Riverfolk, Underworld, and Marauder expansions add unique factions and solo options, increasing player engagement and game complexity.

• Upcoming expansions and the digital version continue to expand Root’s universe, promising even more adventures and strategic depth for fans!

Root: The Base Game Overview

Before exploring the expansions, let’s appreciate the base game that started it all. Root, released in 2018, is a strategy wargame that pits players against each other as they control one of four unique factions. Each faction, from the militaristic Marquise de Cat to the cunning Vagabond, brings its own distinct gameplay mechanics, adding layers of complexity and intrigue to every game.

The base game accommodates 2 to 4 players, each vying for victory points by completing objectives and outmaneuvering their rivals. From the political machinations of the Woodland Alliance to the territorial control of the Eyrie Dynasties, Root’s base game sets the stage for a dynamic and ever-changing battle for dominance.

Best of all, all expansions require the base game, ensuring seamless integration into your Root experience.

Clockwork Expansion Series

Enter the Clockwork Expansion Series, where the automated factions of Root come to life in automated glory. It features four mechanical versions of the base game factions:

• Mechanical Marquise 2.0

• Electrical Eyrie

• Automated Alliance

• Vagabot

Whether you’re looking to play solo, co, or competitively, the Clockwork factions offer flexible gameplay options that cater to all play styles.

One of the standout features of the Clockwork Expansion is its compatibility with other Root expansions, allowing for mixed gameplay scenarios that keep every session fresh and exciting. Key features include:

• Compatibility with other Root expansions for mixed gameplay scenarios

• Three levels of difficulty for each clockwork expansions faction, catering to players of all skill levels

• Unique traits that can be assigned to each Clockwork faction, enhancing their abilities and adding variety to the game

Face off against a robotic Marquise de Cat or team up with an Electrical Eyrie to thwart your opponents. The Clockwork Expansion Series not only expands the strategic possibilities of Root but also provides a new way to engage with the game, whether you’re playing alone or with friends.

Riverfolk Expansion

Next up is the Riverfolk Expansion, which introduces two new factions that will change the dynamics of your Root games. The Lizard Cultists spread their influence through convert actions, while the Merchant Otters emphasize trade and resource management. These factions introduce fresh strategies and interactions, making each game session more engaging.

The Riverfolk Expansion also increases the maximum player count to six, allowing for larger and more competitive game nights with other players.

If you ever find yourself without a gaming group, this expansion includes solo play options, allowing you to immerse yourself in the Woodland even when playing alone. With the Riverfolk Expansion, the world of Root becomes even more vibrant and diverse.

Underworld Expansion

The Underworld Expansion introduces two new factions and unique maps for your strategic genius. The Underground Duchy focuses on political maneuvering, using noble support to dominate the board, while the Corvid Conspiracy employs hidden tokens to deceive and disrupt opponents. These factions introduce new layers of strategy and intrigue, keeping players on their toes.

It also features two beautifully designed maps: the Mountain Pass and the Lake. The Mountain Pass map includes tunneling mechanics and a central wooden tower, adding new strategic elements to the game. Meanwhile, the Lake map incorporates a ferry for crossing water, offering unique challenges and opportunities. Both maps are designed to refresh gameplay without overwhelming players, ensuring an engaging and approachable experience.

With high-quality components and vibrant artwork, the Underworld Expansion not only enhances the strategic depth of Root but also elevates the visual appeal of the game. Whether you’re plotting political coups or navigating treacherous waters, this expansion promises exciting new adventures in the Woodland.

Marauder Expansion

The Marauder Expansion introduces chaos with the marauders, the Lord of the Hundreds and the vault keepers in Iron factions. The Lord of the Hundreds focuses on domination, capable of burning territories to the ground, while the Keepers in Iron are dedicated to recovering ancient relics. These new factions bring unique abilities and gameplay strategies, adding depth and variety to your Root sessions.

The Marauder Expansion also includes an Advanced Setup feature that tailors the game experience for both casual and competitive players. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or a newcomer, this expansion ensures that every game of Root is thrilling and unpredictable.

Hirelings Packs

To add more strategic options to your games, the Hirelings Packs are essential. They introduce hirelings that provide additional tactical support and flexibility, especially beneficial in games with fewer players. The Marauder Hirelings Pack, for example, enriches gameplay by introducing versatile hirelings that can assist various factions in unique ways.

The Riverfolk Hirelings Pack and the Underworld Hirelings Pack offer specialized hirelings, including mole hirelings, that enhance the capabilities of their respective factions. Each hireling comes with special abilities that allow players to explore new strategies and interactions, adding layers of complexity and excitement to the game.

To keep everything organized, the Hirelings Box is designed for convenient storage and access to all hirelings included in the packs. With the hirelings mechanic at your disposal, every game of Root becomes a rich tapestry of strategy and tactical brilliance.

Landmarks Pack

The Landmarks Pack provides new locations that offer strategic advantages and alter player interactions. This expansion features four unique wooden landmarks, each offering new strategic challenges during gameplay. Landmarks can be used on any of Root’s four maps, enhancing the adaptability and variability of the game.

Landmarks like the Black Market and the Elder Treetop offer distinct tactical advantages that influence strategies and decisions. These landmarks encourage exploration and competition as players seek to control key locations that can turn the tide of the game through specific actions.

With each landmark having its own set of rules and interactions, the Landmarks Pack ensures that every game of Root is dynamic and full of unexpected twists. This expansion enriches player interactions and decision-making, making each session a unique adventure in the Woodland.

Exiles and Partisans Deck

The Exiles and Partisans Deck offers a fresh set of 54 cards that enhance gameplay with new special powers based on the factions. This deck includes unique components like Ambush, Dominance, and Partisan cards, which provide various tactical advantages.

This expansion replaces Favor cards with new Partisan cards, adding strategic depth and allowing players to leverage new abilities and guerrilla tactics similar to the Woodland Alliance.

With the Exiles and Partisans Deck, every game becomes a complex dance of power and strategy, battling to keep players engaged and on edge.

Vagabond Pack

The Vagabond Pack introduces three new Vagabond characters: the Harrier, Ronin, and Adventurer, each with unique abilities. This expansion provides seven custom wooden meeples to represent the new Vagabond characters and their actions, enhancing the visual and tactical elements of the game.

Players can enrich their game experience with new cards and components designed for the Vagabonds, allowing for diverse and exciting gameplay. The Vagabond Pack includes affordable add-ons that bring fresh dynamics to the Woodland without major changes.

The Outsiders Expansion

The Outsiders Expansion includes six new factions, each with unique gameplay mechanics that expand the Root universe. From the strategic machinations of the Riverfolk Company to the mystical influence of the Lizard Cult, these factions add rich narratives and diverse strategies to the game.

It also includes two new clearings, Heartwood and Sundew Bend, providing additional settings for adventurers and enhancing the game’s strategic depth. These new clearings focus on the conflicts and interactions of the new factions, ensuring that every game is a fresh and exciting challenge.

The Outsiders Expansion is a treasure trove for fans of Root, offering a wealth of new content that keeps the game vibrant and engaging. With this expansion, the Woodland becomes a bustling hub of activity, intrigue, and adventure.

Root Expansions Coming Soon

New expansions are on the horizon for Root fans! Root: Squires & Disciples introduces a new deck that can be swapped in to replace the base game deck, offering cards inspired by the Marauder and Homeland factions. It includes abilities that depend on hand composition and fun elements like making enemies battle each other.

Root: Homeland Hireling Pack brings three new hirelings into the game: the River Roamers, Sunny Advocates, and the neutral Prosperous Farmers, each with their own unique abilities and meeples, including riverfolk robots, present in the game.

And let’s not forget the highly anticipated Root: The Homeland Expansion, which adds three brand-new factions and two new maps to the game. With these upcoming expansions, the future of Root looks incredibly promising.

Root: The RPG

Root: The RPG offers an immersive experience for storytelling and role-playing enthusiasts, where players can embody vagabonds undertaking quests that significantly impact the Woodland’s story. Suitable for 3 to 6 players, this RPG engages participants in a fantasy adventure where woodland creatures struggle against greater powers.

The RPG includes:

• A hardcover book with a full-color interior, featuring stunning artwork by Kyle Ferrin

• Nine different playbooks, allowing players to create unique characters with rich backstories

• Diverse roles such as the Adventurer and the Raider for character exploration

Gameplay mechanics focus on reputation, travel, and tactical choices, enhancing both combat and narrative experiences. Root: The RPG is a fantastic addition for fans who want to delve deeper into the world of Root and experience its rich lore and dynamic interactions.

Root (Digital)

Root’s digital version brings Woodland warfare to your screens, allowing play with up to four players in local, online, and computer modes. This digital adaptation maintains the strategic elements of the tabletop game, including faction-specific gameplay and tactics, ensuring an authentic Root experience.

Players can enjoy various game modes, including TV mode, tabletop mode, and handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch, enhancing accessibility and convenience. The game is compatible with multiple platforms, including PC, allowing for cross-platform play and broader reach.

Expansions like The Clockwork Expansion and The Riverfolk Expansion are available as downloadable content, adding more variety and depth to the digital version of Root. With Root (Digital), you can discover the Woodland’s secrets and strategies anytime, anywhere.

Summary

Root’s expansions offer a wealth of new content, strategies, and gameplay experiences that enhance the base game and keep it fresh and exciting. From the automated factions of the Clockwork Expansion to the new characters in the Vagabond Pack, each expansion brings something unique to the table. The upcoming expansions promise even more exciting adventures in the Woodland, ensuring that Root remains a beloved and engaging game for years to come.

So gather your friends, choose your factions, and dive into the rich, dynamic world of Root. With so many expansions to explore, every game night is an opportunity for new strategies, alliances, and epic battles. Happy gaming!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the base game to play the expansions?

Absolutely! You'll need the base game of Root to dive into the expansions since they enhance and expand the core gameplay!

Can I play Root solo?

Absolutely, you can play Root solo! Just grab the Clockwork Expansion or the Riverfolk Expansion for an exciting solo experience.

How many players can play with the Riverfolk Expansion?

You're in for a treat! The Riverfolk Expansion lets up to six players dive into the action, making your game nights even more exciting and competitive!

What are hirelings, and how do they work?

Hirelings are fantastic additional units that offer strategic support and flexibility in gameplay, making your experience even more exciting! They’re perfect for enhancing your strategies, especially in games with fewer players.

Is there a digital version of Root?

Yes, you can play the digital version of Root on Nintendo Switch and PC, and it even supports cross-platform play! How exciting is that?