# Root: The Riverfolk Expansion ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2018 - **BGG Rating**: 8.4 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-6 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 60-90 min - **Weight**: 3.87 / 5 - **Designers**: Cole Wehrle - **Artists**: Kyle Ferrin - **Publishers**: Leder Games, 2Tomatoes Games, CMON Global Limited, CrowD Games, Delta Vision Publishing, Fox in the Box, Kilogames, Korea Boardgames, MeepleBR, MS Edizioni, Portal Games, Quality Beast, Spielworxx, Tower Tactic Games, YOKA Games - **Categories**: Animals, Expansion for Base-game, Fantasy, Wargame - **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence, Area Movement, Cooperative Game, Dice Rolling, Hand Management, Race, Solo / Solitaire Game, Variable Player Powers ## Verdict Essential for Root fans who want more depth and more players at the table.New factions with unique mechanicsSupport for up to 6 playersAmazing cooperative and solo modesMore variants for the VagabondSignificantly increases complexityGames can become much longerHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description If you thought the forest of Root was already chaotic, hold on tight because the Riverfolk expansion is here to turn up the heat! This isn't just a simple add-on; it's a massive update that drastically expands strategic possibilities and increases the number of players at the table. First off, we have the introduction of two new core factions that completely shift the game's dynamics: The Riverfolk Company, focused on trade and bargaining (perfect for those who love negotiating and manipulating the economy), and The Lizard Cult, which brings a more mystical and aggressive approach to territorial disputes. But that's not all. If you enjoy playing as the Vagabond, there's a brand new Vagabond character available, adding more subtlety and tactical options for those who prefer to operate from the shadows. The real game-changer here is the versatility: the expansion allows Root to be played with up to 6 players, turning the match into a true organized chaos of political intrigue and territorial warfare. For those who don't have a group or want to practice their tactics before crushing their friends, the expansion introduces solo play rules and cooperative scenarios. Now, you and your allies can team up to face the Mechanical Marquis in a mode where the goal is to overthrow the Marquis's tyranny together. With new components, Vagabond variants, and bot rules, the Riverfolk expansion transforms Root into an even deeper and more diverse experience. It's the ideal choice for those who have already mastered the base game and want to test new ways of dominating the forest, whether by negotiating lucrative trades or leading a fanatical cult. ## How to Play How to Play Root: Riverfolk Company Welcome to Root! This guide will walk you through playing the Riverfolk Company. We'll cover the objective, setup, game flow, actions, and how to win. Let's get started! Game Objective The Riverfolk Company arrives in the Woodland amidst war, aiming to establish profitable commercial interests. They achieve this by offering services to other factions and building trade posts across the forest. Victory points are earned through the construction of these trade posts and from the dividends gained from their accumulated wealth. Setup Consult the manual for detailed setup instructions. Game Flow Root is played over a series of turns, with each player taking their turn in order. The Riverfolk Company's turn is structured into three phases: Birdsong If your Payments box is empty, place two warriors in it. If you have any trade posts on the map, score one victory point per two funds (warriors in the Funds box). Move all warriors on your faction board to the Funds box. Daylight During Daylight, you can take actions by spending and committing funds (warriors in your Funds box). When you spend a fund, return the warrior to its owner's supply. When you commit a fund, move the warrior to the Commitments box. Move: Commit a fund to take a move. Battle: Commit a fund to initiate a battle. Craft: Commit funds to craft a card from your hand. Instead of moving these warriors to the Commitments box, you must place them on empty spaces of the Trade Posts tracks matching the suits of the crafting cost. Draw: Commit a fund to draw a card. Recruit: Spend a fund to place a warrior in any clearing with a river. Establish Trade Post with Garrison: Spend two funds to place a trade post and a warrior in a clearing. You must spend funds of the faction who rules the chosen clearing. Each clearing may have only one trade post. Evening If you have more than five cards in your hand, discard down to five. You may set the costs for your three services by moving the service markers on your Services tracks. Note on Services: Any other player, at the start of their Birdsong, may buy one Riverfolk service plus another per clearing with a trade post and any of their pieces. The buyer pays for services by taking warriors from their own supply and placing them in the Riverfolk’s Payments box. Hand Card: The buyer takes a card from the Riverfolk’s hand and adds it to their hand. Riverboats: The buyer treats rivers as paths until the end of their turn. Mercenaries: During Daylight and Evening of this turn, the buyer treats Riverfolk warriors as their own for rule and battle. Actions and How to Play The Riverfolk Company's actions are primarily driven by spending and committing funds during Daylight. They also have unique abilities related to rivers and offering services. River Movement The Riverfolk are excellent Swimmers, so they treat rivers as paths, and they can move between clearings connected by a river regardless of who rules the origin or destination. Services The Riverfolk Company is a commercial faction that offers services to other players. They set the costs of their services during their Evening. Other players can purchase these services during their Birdsong. Exporting Instead of gaining a card’s listed crafting effect, you may discard the card and place a warrior in your Payments box. Trade Disruption Whenever a trade post is removed, remove half of your funds and return that trade post to the box. It cannot be rebuilt! End of Game and Scoring Consult the manual for details on the end of game trigger and scoring. Tips for Winning The Riverfolk Company excels at establishing a presence across the map due to their ability to treat rivers as paths. Utilize this to expand your reach and build trade posts in strategic locations. Offering valuable services can generate income (warriors in your Payments box) and encourage other players to interact with you, potentially leading to beneficial trade-offs. Be mindful of Trade Disruption. Losing trade posts can significantly impact your funds and scoring potential, so protect them where possible. ## FAQ ### Do I need the base game to play? Yes, this is an expansion. You need the base Root game to use any of the Riverfolk content. ### Does the game become much harder with this expansion? Yes, the new factions introduce very different and complex mechanics, which increases the game's learning curve. ### Can I play it solo? Yes! The expansion includes specific rules for solo mode, allowing you to practice your strategies on your own. ### How many people can play now? With the expansion, the player limit increases to up to 6 players. ### How does the cooperative mode work? In cooperative mode, players team up to face the Mechanical Marquis, who is controlled by the game. ### Are the new factions balanced? Yes, they are designed to fit into the game's asymmetry, although they take some time to master. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 29.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4927891&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 32.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4819431&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 32.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=7090218&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 32.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4801580&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 33.55 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6723329&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 33.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4887082&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 33.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1173551&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 34.26 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1664802&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 39.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6186716&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 39.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=5577966&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/26895/root-riverfolk-expansion?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com