# Wildlands: The Thorns & the Roses

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2018
- **BGG Rating**: 6.6
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-4
- **Duration**: 30-60 min
- **Weight**: —
- **Designers**: Martin Wallace
- **Artists**: Alyn Spiller, Yann Tisseron
- **Publishers**: Frosted Games, Osprey Games
- **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Miniatures

## Verdict
A small but very welcome addition for those who already master the factions of Wildlands. It introduces an environmental obstacle that forces players to be more agile when collecting shards. It is the kind of expansion that refreshes the map without adding unnecessary complexity to the rules.Adds tension to the mapSimple and elegant mechanicGreat for series fansHard-to-find promotional contentMinimal impact on base strategyFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
If you are already a master of Wildlands and feel like the battlefield needs an extra challenge, 'The Thorns & the Roses' is the perfect little spice to add to your game. This micro-expansion, originally released as part of the 2018 advent calendar, introduces an intriguing thematic mechanic: a magical tangle of briars that begins to grow uncontrollably throughout the ruins of the Empire. Forget about the ease of walking across the map; now, the terrain is shifting and blocking your access to those precious crystal shards. 

What this expansion does best is force players to rethink their paths. What once seemed like a safe route to collect your objectives might now become a thorny trap. If you are not quick enough, you will end up wasting precious time fighting through the magical vegetation instead of focusing on your opponents. It is a small tweak that heightens the tension and requires you to be more strategic with your faction's movement. 

As it is promotional content, the package is simple and straightforward, focused on bringing this new dynamic to the table without overcomplicating the rules you already know. It is the type of expansion that doesn't change the game entirely, but adds a fresh flavor for those who play often and want to see the ruins of Wildlands with a new look and a renewed challenge. If you enjoy exploration and tactical combat, this addition is almost mandatory to complete your collection and test new ways to dominate the board. Get ready to hack your way through, because the Empire's garden is not exactly friendly!

## FAQ
### What is 'The Thorns & the Roses'?
It is a promotional micro-expansion for Wildlands, originally released in the 2018 advent calendar.

### Do I need the base game to play?
Yes, as it is an expansion, you need the original Wildlands game to use these components and rules.

### Does this expansion change the game much?
No, it adds a terrain element (the briars) that acts as an obstacle, but the core of the tactical combat remains the same.

### Is it worth it for casual players?
If you play occasionally, you might not notice a huge difference. It is aimed more at those who have already explored the base game.

### Is it hard to find?
Because it was a promotional item for a specific event (Brettspiel Adventskalender), it can be a bit tricky to find in regular retail stores.