ROOT definitely stays as one of my favorite asymmetric board games. The number of combinations with all the maps published so far and with all the factions now available (if I am not mistaken, ten of them) gives you a limitless number of possibilities to play. That is why I am oftentimes using this game when I am trying to introduce new players to asymmetric games.

It looks beautiful. It plays differently each time when you choose another faction and it gives a lot of fun. However, do not be mistaken, let the beautiful look of it does not deceive you! This is a very competitive and brutal game. Key topic is the relentless fight for the dominance in the Woodland.

Still when Lukasz and Tomek, with whom I played several 18XX games, asked me what would be the next game to play, I proposed ROOT. They know I like conflict related games. And I knew that they would like it and they will have a lot of fun with it too. Also, ROOT is one of the better games to be played with 3 players.

In the below article I will shortly show you what we played. All the sessions will be of course rich in pictures. And let us be honest – this is also excuse to show beautiful components of this great game! But before we jump into the AARs, couple of words about game. Enjoy!

The Game

Full unboxing of the latest Marauder expansion, together with Hirelings Pack and Clockwork Expansion 2; beautiful content as always!

Root is a game of adventure and war in which 1 to 6 players battle for control of a vast wilderness. Each player in Root has unique capabilities and a different victory conditions; they execute their rounds (Birdsong, Daylight and Evening) separately and with distinct focus. If you add to this set of beautiful, multi-purpose cards, clever battle mechanics and already four different maps, you are getting one of the best asymmetric and replayable games every created.

GAME 1

Of course we started with classical map and base game factions in our first play. We took into account needed reach for three players and decided for following factions:

  • Marquise de Cat – Michal
  • Eyrie Dynasties – Tomek
  • Vagabond – Lukasz
Base Game ROOT with standard map and factions means one thing – constant tension and fight between the ruling cats and birds who are trying to regain their glory. It was like this also this time.
However, where two fights, the third benefits. We did not manage to control enough our Vagabond and Lukasz and he decisively won- mainly thanks to Quests.

That was such a fun – for Tomek it was first play of ROOT ever, for Lukasz – first since five years. So definitely, a pretty new experience for both of them. Without hesitation, we started another game!

GAME 2

With first experiences under our belt decision was we all switch the factions and move to the next, winter map with random clearing suits. The set-up was:

  • Eyrie Dynasties – Michal
  • Woodland Alliance – Tomek
  • Underground Duchy – Lukasz
That game was dominated by constant friction between revolting Woodland and ever expanding Dutchy. My birds were slowly moving forward, taking advantage of this conflict.
The last moments of the game were very exciting; the Moles were definitely and finally crushed by the attack from both sides (poor Lukasz, that was vengeance for Vagabond victory 🙂 ) but the question of winner was hanging till last moment. In the end, just by 1 point, Tomek won!

What a great game (for almost all of us), tense, brutal and unforgiving. And essence of ROOT, its mechanics and theme. Could not wish for a better game!

GAME 3

During the next meeting time has come to test the newest expansion – Marauder with two very intriguing factions. The Lake Map was adding a new flavor. We all liked it. So we had:

  • Keepers in Iron – Michal
  • Lord of the Hundreds – Tomek
  • Corvid Conspiracy – Lukasz
As Lord of the Hundreds – Oppress the Woodland and burn it to the ground if need be. You suffer no dissent!
Keepers in Iron – Lead your exiled order of devout knights into battle to recover ancient relics. For glory!
The set-up of our third game; large swaths of terrain lay open for the Keepers exploration and Mouses expansion. Corvids will try to be nimble and avoid the conflicts.
The co-existence between my knights and Lukasz’s conspirators was predominantly peaceful, although due to the Delve requirements, I had to attack him couple of times.
That was completely different with the Tomek’s mouses. Those guys are super brutal and aggressive – and score points only if they kill everybody in their controlled clearings. Do you think those four Corvids stand a chance? Make no mistake – Mob is coming!
The game was in balance – point wise – till the moment Tomek built large enough army plus number of moves / attacks with his Warlord and smashed most of the map completely.

Wow, that was the most brutal game so far. Tomek won with 31 points, I was left with 19 and Lukasz 11. Complete domination by the Mouses!

GAME 4

We had so much fun with ROOT that during the same evening we played another session. Knowing most of the woodland folks, everybody could made conscious decision with whom to play. Of course, the assumption was we all try new side. So we had:

  • Vagabond – Michal
  • Underground Duchy – Lukasz
  • Marquise de Cat – Tomek
Beautiful Cave map will be witness to bitter fight between Cats and Moles; accompanied from a side by my Vagabond – Arbiter!
Key element of the map is central cave with Tower – if you control it, you score 1 VP at the end of your turn. As seen above, Moles have bunkered themselves there 🙂
That was very confrontational game between Lukasz and Tomek; back and forth, with Cats inflicting first hit and Moles retaliating. Nobody attacked me too much so I was quietly gathering my points – up to victory!

That was tense game although I felt being a bit on the side; I explicitly took the Arbiter type of Vagabond to support fights between colleagues, but I always was somewhere else than the action!

Conclusions

I must say it was time very well spent. We had a lot of fun playing with different fractions, in different set-ups and with different maps. All of us had its moments of glory, but also situations when our armies or our buildings were being demolished and only dust was left. However, when you know what to expect from ROOT, you should not be surprised. Simply play, do your best and have fun with friends.

Definitely we will play more as there are some interesting set-ups we have not tried so far. I also can not wait for the newest expansion, which is still to come with additional three factions and new maps. Stay tuned – this is definitely not the last time when you read about ROOT on this blog.