Game Objective

In Root, players assume the role of different factions in a struggle for power and rights in the Woodland. The objective is to dominate the forest through strategies of expansion, combat, and territory control. By adding the Hirelings pack, the dynamic of loyalty increases, as Hirelings provide services to leading factions but can change allegiance as the conflict progresses.

Setup

To set up the game with Hirelings, follow these steps:

1. Gather and Position Pieces: Collect the 12 control markers and the control die next to the map. Position the 3 hireling markers (with values "4", "8", and "12") on the corresponding spaces of the map's score track.
2. Choose Hirelings: Shuffle all hireling cards, reveal 3, and place the corresponding pieces in a supply. The remaining cards and pieces should be returned to the box.
3. Demote Hirelings: Randomly flip the hireling cards to the Promoted or Demoted side (marked with an "R"), depending on the number of players:
   • 2 Players: 3 Promoted.
   • 3 Players: 2 Promoted and 1 Demoted.
   • 4 Players: 1 Promoted and 2 Demoted.
   • 5 or more Players: 3 Demoted.

   Promoted Hirelings have pieces for use in actions; Demoted Hirelings generally do not have pieces but provide abilities.

4. Prepare Hirelings: Starting with the last player in turn order and proceeding counter-clockwise, each player prepares their hireling following the specific instructions on their card, if any.

Game Flow

The game follows the standard turn structure of Root, but with specific Hireling interactions. Hirelings start in the supply and do not belong to anyone initially.

Receiving a Hireling: If you are the first player to reach 4, 8, or 12 points on the score track, you immediately take the corresponding hireling marker and place it below your last Evening step. This serves as a reminder to receive the hireling at the end of your turn.

End of Turn (Hireling Actions): At the end of each turn, the player must perform the following steps:

1. Take any hireling card from the supply.
2. Roll for control: Roll the control die. If you have the highest number of points (or tie with the leader), count only the gold points; otherwise, count all points. Place the number of control markers from the supply on the card according to the die result.
3. Flip the marker: Flip the hireling marker to remember what needs to be done next turn.
4. Remove Markers: Remove one control marker from each hireling you control (except those you just took). If a hireling runs out of control markers, it must be immediately handed over to the next player.

Actions and How to Play

Hirelings have different types of interactions that the controlling player can use:

• Action When Acquired: Performed at the moment the player takes control of the hireling.
• Ability: Always active (some with specific conditions).
• Dawn Start Action: Performed at the start of the controlling player's Dawn.
• Once Per Day Action: Can be used only once during the Day.

Important Usage Rules:

• Hireling Pieces: Are not yours. You cannot add hireling warriors to your own movements or battles.
• Rule: Hirelings you control count for ruling. Their pieces are treated as yours for this purpose.
• Enemies: Hirelings you do not control are considered enemy pieces.
• Faction Abilities: You cannot use your faction's abilities (like Field Hospital) to affect a hireling's pieces, except in specific cases of abilities that affect rules (like Woodland Lords).

End of Game and Scoring

The game ends when a player reaches the standard Root victory condition (consult the main rulebook for the exact end-game trigger).

Scoring and Control:

• When gaining a hireling, the player must roll for control to determine how many control markers they receive.
• If a hireling loses its last control marker, it must be handed over to another player, who must immediately roll for control to reactivate it.
• When performing actions with hirelings, the player does not receive points when they remove enemy pieces (unless the hireling's card specifies a removal action that is not through battle).

Tips for Winning

Consult the manual for details on this section.