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.

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.

[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.

[garyfaust]

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.

[Paper_Smith]

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

[knightshade]

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

[vazp]

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

[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.

[johncgrier]

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!

[cwzjkcu]

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.

[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.

[manomano]

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!

[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!

[rafiweiss]

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

[GIVEPAUSEhobby]

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

[steinfi]

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

[felixdiaz]

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

[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!

[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!

[rafiweiss]

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…

[alexanderrobertson]

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