9.2
rating
Ludopedia
8.3
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
A must-have for Root fans looking for deeper strategy and more chaos on the table.
Highlights
- Deep new gameplay tactics
- Scales well for any player count
- Increases map tension
- Powerful and fun combos
Keep in mind
- Requires mastery of the base game
- Adds more table complexity
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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Ever felt like your faction in Root needs a little 'extra push' to dominate the forest? That's where the Riverfolk Hirelings Pack comes in! This isn't just a collection of cards, but a shot of new tactical dynamics that make the Woodland even more chaotic and interesting. The focus here is on the hirelings: allies you recruit to expand your capabilities and create strategies that were previously impossible.
The pack introduces six new hirelings divided into thematic trios: the Riverfolk Flotilla and Otter Divers, the Warm Sun Prophets and Lizard Envoys, and the Highway Bandits and Bandit Gangs. The coolest part is how the expansion adapts to your table size. In games with fewer players, the hirelings fill the map's gaps, ramping up tension and creating conflict points where there was once silence. In fuller games, some hireling cards flip over to reveal powerful special abilities, allowing you to explore insane combos and elite tactics.
Essentially, you gain more tools to manipulate the game, whether by moving pieces in unusual ways, influencing areas, or simply causing headaches for your opponents. It's the perfect expansion for those who have already mastered the base game and want to add layers of complexity without breaking Root's core asymmetry. If you love planning every move and want to see the forest burn with new variables, this pack is a must-have.
The pack introduces six new hirelings divided into thematic trios: the Riverfolk Flotilla and Otter Divers, the Warm Sun Prophets and Lizard Envoys, and the Highway Bandits and Bandit Gangs. The coolest part is how the expansion adapts to your table size. In games with fewer players, the hirelings fill the map's gaps, ramping up tension and creating conflict points where there was once silence. In fuller games, some hireling cards flip over to reveal powerful special abilities, allowing you to explore insane combos and elite tactics.
Essentially, you gain more tools to manipulate the game, whether by moving pieces in unusual ways, influencing areas, or simply causing headaches for your opponents. It's the perfect expansion for those who have already mastered the base game and want to add layers of complexity without breaking Root's core asymmetry. If you love planning every move and want to see the forest burn with new variables, this pack is a must-have.
GALLERY
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Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Leder Games, 2Tomatoes Games, CMON Global Limited, CrowD Games, Fox in the Box, Matagot, MeepleBR, MS Edizioni, Portal Games, Spielworxx, Tower Tactic Games, YOKA Games
Designer
Cole Wehrle, Joshua Yearsley, Nick Brachmann, Patrick Leder
Artist
Kyle Ferrin
Do I need the base game to use this?
Absolutely! This is an expansion pack, so you'll need the original Root game to play.
Does it work with any number of players?
Yes! It's designed for 2 to 4 players, changing how hirelings function depending on the player count.
Does the game become much harder?
Complexity increases slightly because you have more options and combos, but for those who know the rules, it's just more fun.
What's inside the box?
You get six new types of hirelings (mercenaries) with their respective cards and board pieces.
Is it worth it if I rarely play Root?
If you're still learning the basics, it's better to wait. But if you're a regular player looking to refresh the experience, it's worth every penny.