Root is a game of woodland might and right. Stalk the woods as one of the Vagabonds, seize the initiative with the Eyrie birds of prey, rule over your subjects as the Marquise de Cat, or command the Woodland Alliance to create a new order. With creatures and cunning, you'll rule a fantastic forest kingdom in the ultimate asymmetric board game of adventure and war.
Refer to our product chart if you are new to Root.
A GAME OF WOODLAND MIGHT AND RIGHT
Root is a game of adventure and war where 2 to 4 players battle for control of a vast wilderness.
The nefarious Marquise de Cat has seized the great woodland, intent on harvesting its riches. Under her rule, the many creatures of the forest have banded together. This Alliance will seek to strengthen its resources and subvert the rule of Cats. In this effort, the Alliance may enlist the help of the wandering Vagabonds who are able to move through the more dangerous woodland paths. Though some may sympathize with the Alliance’s hopes and dreams, these wanderers are old enough to remember the great birds of prey who once controlled the woods.
Meanwhile, at the edge of the region, the proud, squabbling Eyrie have found a new commander who they hope will lead their faction to resume their ancient birthright.
The stage is set for a contest that will decide the fate of the great woodland. It is up to the players to decide which group will ultimately take root.
Asymmetric Design
Root represents the next step in our development of asymmetric design. Like Vast: the Crystal Caverns, each player in Root has unique capabilities and a different victory condition. Now, with the aid of gorgeous, multi-use cards, a truly asymmetric design has never been more accessible.
The Marquise de Cat
The Cats play a game of engine building and logistics while attempting to police the vast wilderness. By collecting Wood they are able to produce workshops, lumber mills, and barracks. They win by building new buildings and crafts.
The Eyrie Dynasties
The Eyrie musters their hawks to take back the Woods. They must capture as much territory as possible and build roosts before they collapse back into squabbling.
The Woodland Alliance
The Alliance hides in the shadows, recruiting forces and hatching conspiracies. They begin slowly and build towards a dramatic late-game presence—but only if they can manage to keep the other players in check.
The Vagabond
Meanwhile, the Vagabond plays all sides of the conflict for their own gain, while hiding a mysterious quest. Explore the board, fight other factions, and work towards achieving your hidden goal.
Videos
Root Squeaky Clean Trailer
Components
Booklets. Walkthrough, Learning to Play, and this Law.
Cardboard Pieces. 28 Buildings, 19 Tokens, 12 Clearing Markers, 4 Ruins, 4 Victory Point Markers, 3 Relationship Markers, 23 Items.
Wooden Pieces. 55 Warriors, 1 Vagabond Pawn.
Cards. 54 Cards for Shared Deck, 16 Faction Overviews, 4 Eyrie Leaders, 2 Loyal Viziers, 3 Vagabond Characters, 15 Quests, 4 Walkthroughs.
Other. Board (Fall and Winter Maps), 2 Dice, 4 Faction Boards.
Credits
Game design by Cole Wehrle
Illustrations by Kyle Ferrin
Editing by Joshua Yearsley
Based on a concept by Patrick Leder
Development by Leder Games’ St. Paul staff— Patrick Leder, Cole Wehrle, Jake Tonding, Clayton Capra, and Nick Brachmann—and by the intrepid Joshua Yearsley.
Graphic design and layout by Cole Wehrle, Kyle Ferrin, Nick Brachmann, and Jaime Willems.
Proofreading by Kate Unrau.
Playtesting by Grayson Page and his amazing group (inc. Martin, Jared, Richard, Tony, Harvey), Chas Threlkeld, Drew Wehrle, Blake Wehrle, Corey Porter, Kyle Kirk, Matthew Root, Mark von Minden, Davey Janik-Jones, the stalwart players of First Minnesota, Jim Bolland, Melissa Lewis-Gentry and ModernMyths, Jennifer Gutterman and Hampshire College, Matthew Snow, Justin Dowd and the Brass Cat, the Owl & Raven crew, Josh Houser, Brian Peterson, Ethan Zimmerman, Brandi Leder, Heather Brian, Ted Scamp, Jenny and Matt Benusa, and many others.