# Root: The Clockwork Expansion

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2020
- **BGG Rating**: 7.8
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 1)
- **Duration**: 60-90 min
- **Weight**: 3.98 / 5
- **Designers**: Benjamin Schmauss, Cole Wehrle
- **Artists**: Kyle Ferrin
- **Publishers**: Leder Games, 2Tomatoes Games, CMON Global Limited, CrowD Games, Delta Vision Publishing, Fox in the Box, Korea Boardgames, MeepleBR, MS Edizioni, Portal Games, Quality Beast
- **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Wargame
- **Mechanics**: Action Queue, Area Majority / Influence, Cooperative Game, Dice Rolling, Hand Management, Point to Point Movement, Solo / Solitaire Game, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
A must-have for Root fans who struggle to gather a full group. It turns the game into a fantastic solo or co-op experience.Enables solo and cooperative modesAccurately mimics faction behaviorsPerfect for filling empty seatsPreserves original strategic depthRequires careful rule reading for botsHeavy reliance on reference tablesHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
Ever wanted to play Root, but didn't have the whole group together or couldn't find someone willing to learn the Marquise's complex rules? That's where 'The Clockwork Expansion' comes in. Essentially, it brings the magic of automation to your table, allowing you to face off against four factions controlled by the game's own systems. These aren't just simple bots; they are sophisticated simulations that mimic the original factions' behaviors, bringing the depth of asymmetry without needing a human player to manage the opposing strategy.

You can use these automatons in two main ways: to fill gaps in low-player count games (keeping the 4-faction dynamic) or to transform Root into a cooperative experience, where everyone teams up to take down the automated threat. Imagine trying to halt the relentless expansion of the Mechanical Marquise 2.0, defending the Woodland against the aerial invasion of the Electric Eyrie, policing the radicals of the Automated Alliance, or hunting the elusive Vagabot across the clearings.

The experience preserves all the strategic weight of the base game but removes the learning curve barrier for whoever would normally control the opposing faction. It's the perfect solution for those who love Root's tactical combat but want the flexibility of solo or co-op play. Get ready to deal with marauding patrols, rebel bases, and mysterious items, all while trying to survive the forest's relentless system. If you've already mastered the base game, this expansion is the logical next step to expand your gaming options, ensuring the war continues regardless of how many friends are available at the moment.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game to use this expansion?
Yes, absolutely. The Clockwork Expansion is an add-on and cannot be played standalone; you need the original Root board and pieces.

### Does the game become easier in cooperative mode?
Not necessarily. The automatons are designed to be challenging and simulate the pressure a human player would apply, keeping the difficulty high.

### Can I play this solo?
Definitely! The expansion turns Root into a full solo experience, where you face the system to conquer the woodland.

### Is it hard to learn how to run the bots?
There is a learning curve to understand how the automated factions 'think,' but once you get the hang of it, the game flow is quite smooth.

### How long does a game take with the expansion?
Playtime remains similar to the base game, typically between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the player count and game complexity.

## Price Comparison
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