Root: A Buyer's Guide

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Wondering what the deal is with Root? We've got you covered! In this video we cover what Root is, what content is available and what you need to know before buying.
In brief, Root is the gorgeous asymmetric wargame where players battle for control of a vast woodland. Root is currently ranked as one of the top 30 best board games of all time on BGG.
For a more in-depth review of Root, check out our review here (it's old, so sorry about the quality): • Root Board Game Review...
0:00 - Intro
0:50 - What Is Root?
2:38 - How Does It Play?
7:02 - What Do You Need To Know?
Root: Beyond The Base Game
10:03 - What Content Is Available
11:10 - The Riverfolk Expansion
12:17 - The Underworld Expansion
14:06 - The Marauders Expansion
15:00 - Hirelings
15:54 - The Clockwork Expansions
17:16 - Mini Expansions
17:56 - What We Think
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[@The-Duke-of-Zill]

Fantastic video, but I feel as a buyer's guide it leaves out one of the best reasons people might like the clockwork expansion - cooperative play! Root is a very competitive game, but it can also be a mean one. I know many people don't enjoy the ganging-up-on-the-leader & king-making situations this game can promote. Cooperative play is the perfect way for those player to enjoy Root! 2, 3 or 4 players vs 1 or 2 bots. All players must hit 30 points before any bots do, else the bots win. It adds a fantastic new tactical element as sometimes it might make strategical sense to mutually agree to score points from fellow players as a desperate attempt to stop the bots. I love it and it would appeal to many people who otherwise would have no interest in Root.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Thanks for this great description! Hopefully it will help others who come here. The reason we left it out is because we are terribly mean people! We'll always play competitive (and generally cooperative games aren't our thing), but so many people have said how much they enjoyed it we might have to give it a go. When they inevitably release the next bundle of content and we have to re-do the video we'll be sure to add in the co-operative element ;).

[@MrCryptogon]

Great breakdown! This is a must watch for new/prospective players. I just got my Marauders expansion yesterday and can't wait to play it.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Hope you enjoy Marauders as much as we did!

[@garyfaust6769]

I appreciate your accurate description of Root. It is such a great game, but you fairly articulated the potential drawbacks that some gamers may legitimately have. Personally I like a game that you learn as you get more into it. That is part of the fun and replay-ability for me. It remains my favorite board game, though I still don't have a regular group to play with. I have everything up to the Marauder expansion so far. Probably won't get it until I get a regular play group going.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Us too! I think Cole Wehrle is particularly good at those types of games. Tallie hated Pax Pamir till about the 5th time and then it all clicked together. I love that we've played Root like 35 times (not including digitally) and still feel as though there are aspects and factions which we've barely explored.

[@Paper_Smith]

Super helpful for a new player that’s just getting into Root! Keep up the great work guys 💚 you’re killing it!!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Thanks so much!

[@knightshade4330]

Thank you. I found this useful, especially the final section where you discussed the pros and cons of each one.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jesseleite]

This was really helpful, thank you!

[@user-cw4zj6kc8u]

Base Root + Clockwork 1 + Exiles and Partisans Deck for the first purchase. Then I'd say follow what factions look cool to you. If you want more big army militant factions go Marauder. If you want more unique factions or just love the vagabond, go Riverfolk. And of course if you are a huge vagabond fan, grab the Vagabond Pack. If you want more maps and a big army faction and a unique factions go Underground. If you find that you play 2-3 player a lot, I'd just start purchasing hirelings that look fun. If you play solo a lot and already have both Underground and Riverfolk, then grab Clockwork 2. And if you are a completionist or just want a little more flavor to your games, grab the landmarks. Lastly, the clearing markers are completely aesthetic but they do make your board prettier to look at. Same with the neoprene maps. These last things are probably more suited if you just love great components or just play Root enough that you want to have a great looking Root game.

[@vazp3]

Great video, very complete, helped me a lot. Love the doggos btw

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Really great to hear it helped you, thanks so much for watching!

[@nitrorev]

Great breakdown guys! I'm so jealous that you already have your Marauder Expansion. I hope to hear your thoughts on the new expansion once you've played it some more.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Lucky us! You shouldn't have to wait too long, think we'll put out a little review of it soon...

[@DoppelgangerF02]

another awesome video, ty!

[@johncgrier3561]

This was the first video of yours that I saw. I am a fan of Root, so naturally I liked this video. And since you are also fans, I immediately subscribed. Best wishes and keep up the good work!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Haha doesn't seem like you need the video at all if you're a fan of Root but glad you stopped by to watch it! Thanks so much for subscribing :).

[@Maraffler]

My purchase recommendation + order: Base game -> Underground expansion (because of a second map) -> Exile&Partisan deck -> Riverfolk expansion (the otters are very special, but also very interactive, next to the Vagabond one of the most unique factions in Root) -> Marauder expansion (rats are great, but the badgers are more for advanced players) [-> Hirelings -> Bots -> other stuff]. The Hirelings and Bots are way too expensive for what's in the box. For those who struggle with the price, I can recommend simply printing out the bot game boards or Hirelings cards. The playing pieces can simply be taken from the corresponding factions.

[@felixdiaz7685]

Great video my self just started to get into root and was wondering will the underworld expansion restock

[@BoardOfItReviews]

You'll have to ask Leder Games for that info unfortunately! I expect it will restock though since anything Root constantly sells out.

[@rafiweiss3915]

I’m anxiously awaiting my Marauder expansion, but I’ve no idea when to expect it!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Hope you get it soon!

[@manomano30]

Great video! I think the hirelings are divided a bit differently from what you outlined though. You described it according to the way it was presented in the kickstarter campaign but I'm pretty sure that in retail it'll be riverfolk hirelings, underworld hirelings, and then the hireling box with the rest of the hirelings (3 hirelings in each product). I think there's an update on the kickstarter page outlining this. Other than this, great breakdown that really made me want to force my friends together for a game of Root!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Thanks! I can't find anywhere that breaks down the Hirelings like that in the updates, perhaps it was a designer diary? It does seem though that based on the BGG description for the box the KS version comes with 6 but the retail will have 3. However, if stores backed the KS version, then they will also be selling the More Hirelings box with 6 Hirelings! The trouble we're having is that for some reason Leder Games don't have any pre-orders available from their webstore for any of this content yet, so we can't see how they themselves have divided it all. Anyway, thanks for the heads up!

[@manomano30]

No problem! Just checked the KS page again and the breakdown of how everything will appear in retail is on update #25

[@BoardOfItReviews]

@@manomano30 Thanks! Good work.

[@BoxedMeeples]

Fantastic Video. We are new to Root but have quickly picked up everything we could. Might have a bit of a wait before we get the Hirelings as we didn't back it on KS. Didn't realise there was so much in the box though!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

[@BoxedMeeples]

@@BoardOfItReviews we do. Luckily we have a lot of friends at Board Game night who play too, as its not ideal with just us two. Have you seen our video showing Root Meeple stickers? Whats your thoughts on them as evidently they're a bit devisive !

[@GIVEPAUSEhobby]

Surprising absolutely no one, bearing your talk about Root got me really excited to play again as soon as possible, haha

[@BoardOfItReviews]

We just had another game!

[@rafiweiss3915]

Amazing video! Well done! Question: when you play with the clockwork expansions, do you play with all the errata - the fixes that could be found on Reddit threads? I seem to remember that there was something a little off about the Automated Eyrie…

[@BoardOfItReviews]

So we did play with the errata which Leder Games placed on BGG, but the clockwork expansion 2 comes with the corrected Eyrie board (or at least the KS version did). Also thanks for the kind words!

[@rafiweiss3915]

@@BoardOfItReviews oh that’s gonna make my life so much easier! Thanks!

[@Kajuber]

Great video guys, very informative, much appreciated. Just wondering as I'm not certain it was mentioned. Can you use hirelings in the solo game? Thanks again!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

As far as I'm aware, you can't as there are no rules for them interacting with the bots. You can run them yourself of course, which we did once and just had the bots hirelings attack the player in the lead

[@Kajuber]

@@BoardOfItReviews Thanks

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Heya! Really heartfelt message from us here: Please, please consider subscribing or recommending us if this was helpful to you. As a channel we've always grown at a good rate, but the last month or two our subscriber growth has significantly dropped for the first time, despite the fact we've released some popular videos & our Buyer's Guides consistently do well day to day. Around 80% of our viewers are not subscribers. If you're one of those people, please consider helping us out. We do all this for a love of the hobby and the community, and as such we've never had a Patreon or asked viewers to support us financially. All we want is your subs as this makes it more likely we'll be able to collaborate with publishers and designers, and in return bring you more content! Thank you so much - Farrell & Tallie

[@steinfi3]

Great overview, guys! Also, Root is a fantastic game!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Thank you! Yea, we just played last night ;)

[@vee-bee-a]

Here's a personal gripe of mine; they should have included the Ranger and Tinker meeple in the base game in the first place, and the rest be in the Vagabond Pack.

[@joaobarbosa576]

Damn KZbin, only let me out one heart in this video... Best review in root. Thank you guys ♥️

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Thank you so much!

[@alexanderrobertson3526]

Thanks for the video. I suspect you love the Lizards as much as I do. Gotta love an underdog.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Lizards all the way!

[@Xenu]

As a big fan of GMT's COIN system of games ("A Distant Plain," "Falling Sky," "Pendragon," etc.), I've had "Root" recommended to me as a more "popular" game heavily inspired by that system. This is a very nice review. I'll try to gave it a play next time I am at my local board game cafe!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

One day we'll try a COIN game! Which would you recommend most?

[@Xenu]

@@BoardOfItReviews There are two theories on this. 1. Choose the COIN game with the theme you find most interesting! Your interest in the theme will propel you through any first time challenges. Of the five COIN games I've played ("A Distant Plain," "Falling Sky," "Pendragon," "Gandhi" and "Liberty & Death"), "Pendragon" is the only one I think one should *not* begin with due to the complexity in the battle rules. 2. "Cuba Libre" is often considered the simplest, rules-wise of the COIN games!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

@@Xenu Thanks for the help!

[@alexanderrobertson3526]

@@BoardOfItReviews Just to add my two cents - I generally agree with Xenu (never thought I would say that!) but I heavily favour 2. above. I'd stay clear of the ones that have their additional systems on top of the core COIN system as this makes a teach to brand new players almost completely unbearable - *especially* "Pendragon" and, to a lesser extent "Falling Sky" and "All Bridges Burning" suffer from this for me due to battle / combat mechanics more complex than "Cubes remove exposed insurgents at a 2 to 1 rate". "Fire In The Lake" would also be difficult for brand new players just because of its sheer scale. I'd point you towards Andean Abyss or Cuba Libre first as these show the core systems without a lot on top. Then move on to any of the others as the additional steps won't be so bad now you know the basic system. Andean abyss would be a bit more fun as there's a larger map and a lot more to explore as a result, but Cuba Libre (and the upcoming People Power) is the intended entry point. Have fun!

[@lemilfy]

I got a question for you! Leder is sending me base game + clockwork expansion and riverfolk hirelings for us to review. Since we play only at 2, do you recommend starting off with the expansion, since it can facilitate 2p properly? Or just play base game and get used to the game first? At what point should we mix in the riverfolk hirelings? Thanks in advance!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

How did you swing that! Lucky dogs. I would say probably have your first game (or two) just do base game Eyrie vs. The Cats, for ease of getting to grips with them. Then throw in the factions from clockwork - you could start with Clockwork Eyrie or Cats since you already would know how they work (if you wanted to try another faction. With the hirelings, you could just add them to that first game of the base game (unless you feel it would be a little too much). But I would do base game, base game and hirelings, then base game + clockwork.

[@daninanestean]

Exile&Partisan deck + Advanced setup rules = Best Root experience!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Do love that deck!

[@-Markus-]

I helped myself solve this issue by just buying everything!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Hahaha nice work 🙌🏻

[@giannimorrone696]

You know if all The Kickstarter content Will be available retail? I'm pretty sure The Marauder and clockwork2 Will be, but what about landmarks and Hirelings?

[@BoardOfItReviews]

So The Marauder Expansion and Clockwork 2 will indeed be available at retail. So will the Landmark pack, a Riverfolk hireling pack, a Underworld Hireling Pack, and a Marauder Hireling pack, each with 3 Hirelings.

[@thewhitneyboardroom]

Great breakdown, thank you! I'm struggling because I really want this game, but the majority of our games are played 2-player. I appreciate the honest assessment of that.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Yea I mean we have mostly played at 2, but you do need a lot of extra stuff for it to have any sort of longevity which is a shame.

[@TowN8r]

Hey guys! Great video really thinking of buying root but I just want to know, how good is it at 2 players? Will we get the same experience? What should we buy just for 2? Can we play optimal at 2? Me and my wife are waiting for our kids to grow up to increase our player count but right now it’s just us, thanks in advance for your reply

[@BoardOfItReviews]

It's really funny because you commented this as we were playing a 2-player game of Root.... In our opinion, Root can be really enjoyable at two, but it will require expansions to make it worthwhile. In the base game only two factions are viable at two, so you'd either want the Marauder expansion (both factions are playable at two) or the Underworld expansion (one faction playable at two), or one/both of the clockwork expansions (which automate players). I think you could also print and play the clockwork bots for the base game as a cheaper option. In addition, the Hirelings are mini-expansions you use to fill out your lower player count games, and really fill up the board and make two player games more interesting.

[@darbyl3872]

How is one faction (Underworld) playable at two players? Which faction, and who does the second player play?

[@drago939393]

Question, how much can you mix and match the factions? For example can I run a game with Cats, Lizards, Eyre and Rats on the underground or lake maps? Or is such a thing only possible on the winter map?

[@BoardOfItReviews]

So you can mix most factions together no problem, but you'll generally always need one or two 'militant' factions in play to keep it as balanced as possible. With standard set-up, each faction is assigned a "strength value" and if you play with X players, you ideally need to reach the recommended value in the manual for that player count by adding up the strength values of the factions you want to play. With the new expansion they've added in advanced set-up, which takes away the strength values, but still makes sure you've got the right number of militant factions in play. So, generally, any faction can go with another, you just need to be careful you don't have a game with only "weak" factions. Your example above would be a perfect game. When it comes to the maps, the factions don't matter. Play any map with any faction!

[@drago939393]

@@BoardOfItReviews Thank you kindly for the detailed explanation. Have you had any experience with 6 players? Do you think it's viable? If you had to add 2 more factions to the scenario I listed, which ones would you add?

[@BoardOfItReviews]

@@drago939393 6 players is fine as it's an official player count. We personally aren't fans of going above 4 due to how much it extends the length of the game and time between turns, but we'd probably be happy to do it if everyone was an experienced player. Honestly regarding the factions, that's up to you! Whichever you want to play as!

[@GodsSmile]

New Sub here enjoying your videos, I'm curious what is your most favourite Game, we haven't got many games but my most favourites are Eclipse, Dominion, Marvel Splendour 😊

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Glad to hear we have a new sub! We actually recently did our top ten games of all time, so you can check that out to find out ;)

[@ccpelaez12]

What would be the recommended expansion purchase order?

[@BoardOfItReviews]

How many people do you usually (or expect to) play with?

[@pm71241]

Those boxes look enormous compared to mine. ... wonder if I've gotten the pocket edition :)

[@BoardOfItReviews]

I'd love a pocket edition!

[@FutureAllenNL]

Same, in fact my box size looks similar to the mini expansion. Perhaps there is a region difference.

[@pm71241]

@@FutureAllenNL Doubt it, - since our nice hosts here are in the same country as I am.

[@BeyondTheLineProductions]

What would you say is the best first faction expansion for 3-5 players?

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Go for Underworld. Underground Dutchy are a top faction and you get two new maps with it. Close second would be the Maurauders

[@DoppelgangerF02]

would 2 player with clockwork expansions offer a satisfying enough experience to go hard in the root paint?

[@BoardOfItReviews]

It's hard to say because now you have two options: Root + Clockwork or Root + Marauders as both severely improve the two player experience. Clockwork is best if you want to try out all the factions that come in the base game, and don't mind running the bots. Marauders is better if you want more "2-player friendly" factions, plus it comes with some hirelings to fill out the board.

[@French1321]

New to root - wanting to buy. f I want to play solo (most of the time), if I get Clockwork 2 and Riverfolk and Underworld is that all I need? Or do I need the base game? Thanks and love your video!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Thank you! Unfortunately you will need to buy the base game as the other boxes are all expansion content for the base game…theoretically you could do it without the base but you’d need to buy a lot of extra stuff to get all of the components you need such as the cards and dice etc, it would be a little finicky to have to buy all the small things that you might as well just get the base

[@jackabbott7295]

You guys should do a 'Buyer's Guide' video for Carl Chudyk's Innovation!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

I am looking at the "Ultimate Edition" coming to backerkit next month

[@jackabbott7295]

@Board Of It yeah honestly I usually hate 'big box' editions. I almost never want ALL of the content. So then I have to pay more, lose shelf space, and have a game that's harder to table.

[@damnthatmashlookstasty]

Your dogs are gorgeous!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

The best comment we've had on the channel

[@Andy-dm4oh]

What are your thoughts of this game as a cooperative game (Bots vs players)?

[@BoardOfItReviews]

We haven't tried it! We're honestly so competitive that we probably wouldn't play it that way and enjoy it as much as beating each other.

[@lLordHassan]

as a group of 4 people, what would be the best choice?

[@BoardOfItReviews]

I mean base Root would certainly do you for a fair few games, no need to start buying it all before you know if you like it or not! But you can't go wrong with either Underworld or Marauders

[@Liszka0]

Me watching this video for some reason after having already bought everything available for root :D

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Haha we appreciate your time!

[@ForgeofSouls]

Im strange, I have yet to play this game and almost have all the content. My nature is to collect but I do look forward getting into it. Just have to find some friends…lmao

[@BoardOfItReviews]

That is the challenge with Root! Hope you get to play soon 🙌🏻

[@ForgeofSouls]

@@BoardOfItReviews First game down, lost by one point to the wife 🥲

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Oh wowwww 😅😅 wishing you the best to win the next one 😂

[@liamobrien292]

So does that mean that the lizard folk are your favourite faction to play?

[@BoardOfItReviews]

I find them the most fun thematically, yea.

[@liamobrien292]

My wife and I have found that no matter what game it is that involves asymmetric characters. You will always find a leaderboard of some sort. We just pick what we think looks good in our eyes, if you master it you will do better then if you keep choosing different factions. It’s good to see you are similar.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

@@liamobrien292 To be fair I do also switch factions a lot, but you're completely right. I also will add I find for a lot of these statistics where you get a lot of discussion and people badmouthing factions as being "weak", it only really matters if you're playing that game with the same people week in week out for months at a time and racking up 50+ plays, or if you're playing competitively. If you're only getting it out 4 times a year and with a different people each time, who cares.

[@Herendill]

can 6 players fit on one map? So we could play on any other map too?

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Yea 6 players can go up to all maps I believe:)

[@Herendill]

@@BoardOfItReviews nice, which expansion would you recommend as first focusing on 6 players?

[@BoardOfItReviews]

@@Herendill Honestly, any are good. I wouldn't say one of them is better or worse at 6. Just look at the factions and pick which one sounds cool!

[@sagarsoni5378]

I got my hireling box today it has just 3 cards flame bearer vault keeper band , token wood and cardboard no cards, youtube videos on review are misleading for consumer 2024 , so either my box is messed up or something has changed from company

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Hireling boxes only come with three factions

[@Oleksamaxfan]

Дякую за информацию 🇺🇦🥰

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@Daye04]

The s in marquise is pronounced. If you pronounce it without the s, you're changing the gender of the Marquise to male instead of female

[@BoardOfItReviews]

It'll be a cold day in hell before we treat French with it's due respect! 😅

[@Daye04]

@@BoardOfItReviews yet, you don't pronounce it the English way. That makes it sound more like ignorance than a stance 🤷🏼

[@robinmarks4771]

Wow, Efka and Elaine look a little different in this video ...

[@peterc9568]

Root is an awful game as it simply boils down to king making. People however get distracted by the artwork and the illusion of a complex wargame..... However Its just a points race where even skilled players will always be one turn away from winning and the person who does win only does so as the other players determined the winner via king Making.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

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