# Root: The Marauder Expansion ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2022 - **BGG Rating**: 8.8 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 2-6 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 60-90 min - **Weight**: 3.98 / 5 - **Designers**: Cole Wehrle, Joshua Yearsley, Nick Brachmann, Patrick Leder - **Artists**: Kyle Ferrin - **Publishers**: 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 - **Categories**: Animals, Expansion for Base-game, Fantasy, Wargame ## Verdict A must-have for Root veterans looking for more strategic layers and chaos on the board.Well-designed new factionsHirelings shift the game dynamicsDrastically increases replayabilityVaried setup for casual or competitiveVery steep learning curveRequires the base game to playHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description If you thought the struggle for control in Root was already intense, get ready, because The Marauder Expansion is here to add fuel to the fire. The battle for the Woodland now gets new faces and new ways to cause chaos. First, we have two complete factions: the Lord of the Hundreds, a tyrant who tolerates no dissent and is perfectly happy to burn the forest down to maintain control, and the Keepers in Iron, exiled knights on a devout quest to recover ancient relics and reclaim their glory. Each brings its own layer of complexity and unique scoring methods, maintaining the asymmetric essence we love. But the real highlight is the Hirelings. These are small auxiliary factions that can be added to any game, regardless of the player count. They act as 'seasoning' that shifts the board's dynamics, creating surprising power combinations and adding a tactical tension similar to a game of chess, especially in lower player count games. You'll find the Forest Patrol and Feline Physicians for the Marquise; the Last Dynasty and Bluebird Nobles for the Eyrie; the Spring Uprising and Rabbit Scouts for the Alliance; and the Exile and the Bandit for those playing as the Vagabond. Additionally, the expansion introduces a new setup system with drafting options suitable for both casual play and high-level competitive matches. It's the perfect addition for those who have already mastered the base game and are looking for new ways to disrupt their opponents' strategies, making the Woodland an even wilder and more unpredictable place. If you enjoy games where every player is essentially playing a different game, The Marauders are a must-have. ## How to Play Goal of the Game In Root: Raiders, you take on the role of a faction seeking to consolidate its power in the Wood Forest. The objective is to accumulate victory points (VP) through strategic actions, such as raiding enemies, controlling clearings, and collecting items. The game ends when a player reaches a specific number of points, which varies depending on the number of players. Consult the manual for details regarding this section. Setup To prepare the game, follow the steps below: Set up the board and distribute the starting pieces according to the chosen faction. Each player receives their faction board, specific pieces, and mood cards. Position the mob, forts, and warriors markers according to the faction rules. Prepare the Treasure and the Feats and Command tracks. Consult the manual for details regarding this section. Gameplay Flow The game is divided into turns, which follow the structure below: Dawn: Perform specific actions, such as Raid and Recruit. Day: Execute main actions, such as Move, Battle, and Craft. Dusk: Conclude the turn with actions such as Incite and Oppress. Consult the manual for details regarding this section. Actions and How to Play Each turn offers several actions that players can perform: Move: Move your warriors and the Warlord across the map. Battle: Engage in combat with other factions, with the option to raid the enemy. Craft: Use forts to generate items and increase your power. Incite: Place mob markers to cause chaos. Oppress: Gain points by controlling clearings without enemy presence. Consult the manual for details regarding this section. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when a player reaches the required number of victory points (VP). Points are obtained through: Controlling clearings without enemies (Oppress). Collecting and discarding items to gain points. Performing faction-specific actions, such as raiding enemies. Consult the manual for details regarding this section. Tips for Winning Here are some tips to maximize your chances of victory: Use the Warlord strategically to lead your troops and make an impact in battles. Prioritize controlling clearings to gain points through the Oppress action. Raiding enemies can be an effective way to obtain valuable items and weaken your opponents. Consult the manual for details regarding this section. ## FAQ ### Do I need the base game to play? Yes, this is an expansion. You must own the Root base game to use any of this content. ### Does it make the game much harder? Yes, the new factions and hirelings add more rule layers. It's recommended for those already comfortable with the core mechanics. ### How many players can play with this expansion? The game still supports 2 to 6 players, but hirelings help balance and add depth even in lower player count games. ### What are the 'Hirelings'? They are mini-factions that provide bonuses and extra abilities to the main factions, changing how you interact with the map. ### How long does a game take with the expansion? The average is between 60 to 90 minutes, though it can vary depending on the number of hirelings and players. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 36.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4927890&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 39.27 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6723328&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 39.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4053637&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 40.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4819430&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 40.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=7090217&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 40.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6092689&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 41.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3901073&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 42.83 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4108858&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 48.04 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3908617&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 49.27 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4049347&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/38743/root-the-marauder-expansion?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com