Root*
Root is an engaging board game of adventure and strategy designed for 2 to 4 players (expandable to 1 to 6 with the 'Riverfolk' expansion). Set in a vast wilderness, the game offers a unique experience where each player embodies a different faction with its own distinctive abilities and victory conditions. With beautifully designed multi-use cards, Root brings a rich asymmetrical gameplay to the table.
Gameplay Overview
- Marquise de Cat: The nefarious Marquise de Cat has taken control of the woodland, aiming to exploit its resources. Players who choose this faction must manage the forest efficiently while dealing with opposition from the Alliance.
- Alliance: The creatures of the forest form the Alliance to resist the rule of the Cats. They can enlist the help of wandering Vagabonds and strive to strengthen their resources to challenge the Cats' dominance.
- Vagabonds: The enigmatic Vagabonds are skilled at traversing dangerous woodland paths and can aid the Alliance or pursue their objectives independently.
- Eyrie: The proud Eyrie faction seeks to reclaim their ancient birthright under a new commander. Players guiding the Eyrie must navigate their internal squabbles while striving for dominance.
Conclusion
Root stands out for its deep strategic gameplay, offering a rich narrative driven by player choices. The game's asymmetry ensures high replayability as each faction provides a unique gaming experience. Whether you aim to control the forest, support the Alliance, wander as a Vagabond, or lead the Eyrie to victory, Root offers an immersive and competitive adventure in a beautifully crafted world.
Nominated for 24 awards and won 14.
- 👥 2 - 4 Players
- ⏱️ 60 - 90 Minutes
- 🧒 14+ years old
- 🧩 Hard to learn
We like Root so much that we recommend it in the following board game recommendation lists 2026
- Position 12 in All "As d'Or - Jeu de l'Année"🇫🇷 2020 winners & nominees compared.
- Position 63 in All games from the Top100 "Hunter & Cron Award 2019" list 🇩🇪
- Position 70 in All games from the Top100 "Hunter & Cron Award 2020" list 🇩🇪
- Position 73 in All games from the Top100 "Hunter & Cron Award 2021" list 🇩🇪
- Position 91 in All games aus der Top100-"Hunter & Cron Award 2022"-Liste 🇩🇪
- Position 85 in Best games released at SPIEL 2018 in Essen
- Position 16 in Best games where you can make deals with other players
- Position 25 in The best "As d'Or - Jeu de l'Année Expert"🇫🇷 winners & nominees. (Expert Game)
- Position 5 in The Best Board Games with Beavers
- Position 7 in The Best Board Games with Raccoons
- Position 16 in The best games where you can make agreements with other players
- Position 29 in The best games where you can retrieve actions
- Position 27 in The best games with foxes
- Position 29 in The best games with mice
- Position 24 in The best games with rabbits 🐇
- Position 22 in The best "Goblin Magnifico🇮🇹" winners and nominees
- Position 17 in The best "Jogo do Ano🇵🇹" winners and nominees
- Position 2 in The Best "The Golden Elephant Award🇺🇸" winners and nominees
- Position 81 in The Top ${items.length} games🥇 on Boardgamegeek (BGG)
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