5:40 Its me. I'm the one who's always excited to play the crows. The real crux of crow gameplay is in just how flexible they are, but you have to employ that flexibility carefully in order to circumvent just how easily opponents can stop you from winning. Their very unique playstyle is something that can easily weasel its way into your heart.
There is no greater feeling than winning with the corvids. Everyone's worried about everyone else and you've got just enough bois on board to get two or three procs off and just eat the points. Feeding people conspiracies for good will is so free as well if you get them to protect your extortions
my favorite part of this review is the fact that Tom has sleeved all of his cards, suggesting that he plays the crap out of root and wants to keep it for a long time in the best condition he can. that right there is the best endorsement a review can offer
Indeed, but that's true of many games. according to Mr. Wehrle, the packaging inside game boxes serves mostly to hold everything during shipping so it doesn't get damaged, but it's expected that you will just throw it out in most cases. At that point, everything fits without trouble. That is of course not true for all games, however. John Company 2nd edition is the most packed box I've ever encountered and doesn't even fit its contents off the shelf. Also blame Mr. Wehrle for making a ludicrous product in that case
Gonna be honest, watching Tom's descent into madness from the heat culminating in that amazing printer impression was everything I needed. Can't wait for your next videos!
As soon as I saw how shiny his forehead was in the opening seconds of the video I felt sorry for him. We get heat like that here but we're prepared for it.
Totally. The one most essential. It would be Marauder (second most essential) but since you can use the Advanced Setup rules PnP (or just digitally) with little effort, I rank E&P higher. Most bang for the buck, more fun cards and won’t have to keep an iron sight on whenever someone has 3 crafting pieces for a Favor of….
I own every root expansion, and the exiles and partisans deck is the single best one, it hugely improves every aspect of the game no matter how you’re playing.
I have literally everything too but have only ever played on the digital version with the base factions (don't ask). For the Exiles and Partisans deck, can you detail why you would say that? Having never used it I'm curious why you think it makes it so much better.
I’ve never played Root (don’t shoot me) but I loved this solely because its another human trying to deal with 40C in a country that has no air conditioning and whose houses retain heat. Good job!
When WL Raze, the Mob tokens do not remove warriors. They remove enemy buildings and tokens, and ruins. They do bot remove any warriors, only cardboard. It is important to note that when you raze a ruin you do not get a point but get the item in it. You do however still get points for removing enemy buildings and tokens through raze.
I just love Root so much. It's such a charming board game. I normally play the Birds (Eyrie). I like how you can build up a giant juggernaut of a war machine that will most likely fall apart due to circumstances from many turns ago coming back to haunt you 🤣
@@haughtygarbage5848 3v1 sounds like a co-op experience against the bot which I haven't tried. If you meant, 4 players with 1 player being a bot (clockwork), from my experience it goes as fast as a normal player would or faster (no A.P.) 😅
@@viljums That isn't true. Quinn's reviewed it very favourably. He just had some issues that meant he didn't feel able to officially recommend it. I also got Root due to his review.
"If you like a game so much that you would enjoy a different board for it to change things around, you should stop playing it and play something else instead" may ACTUALLY be the hottest take that's ever been expressed on this channel lmao
@@ShunyValdez Thanks! I never really played much of Smash Bros. I think I might have been born a few years too early for that one. I grew up more with the original NES and SNES, and missed most of the N64 games.
After the initial SU&SD review of Root, I'd decided it probably wasn't for me. But now, hearing there are friggin' Skaven in the game... Man, that just lights some kinda fire in me. I must pillage. I must burn. Strongly reconsidering a purchase...
The rats are so flavourful! The part about light role play is so apt. Everyone I've played with becomes the instant villain of the game and the dynamic feels so different when the hundreds are steamrolling across the board.
It's funny how Root works....my entire tier list is basically Tom's upside down -- most notably IT IS THE RATS WHO BELONG IN PRISON, the Vagabond was falsely imprisoned as is the true hero of the wood!
It’s been a joy to watch Tom develop as a SU&SD host. This whole video is top tier Tom. And he did it in this horrible heat, too. (I’m in Texas; I understand your suffering and I thank you for your service!)
I’ve played root 4 times with my friends, twice as the Lizard Cult and twice as the Corvus Cabal, and I won 3 out of the 4 games, the lizards being two of those wins. I loved them. Even before the changes were made.
"This is way too much game and you don't *need* all of it". This is what I have been telling people about Root for years. Here's what to do! Root is hugely popular because it has a cute theme. Your friend already owns this game. Get your friend(s) to play the base game with you several times. Do you still like it after those plays? Buy the base game! Play it 50 to 100 times. Do you *still* like the game? Now start looking at expansions! Here's what to not do! Don't buy the game and every expansion because you think it is cute and think that the game's mechanics *seem so cool*. This game is hard. This game is mean. That rules out the huge majority of gamers right off the bat. Even if you can handle a hard, mean game.. can your friends? Probably not! Don't play Root once and make a judgement of it. Your first time is going to be awful. The second probably won't be much better! If you play your games once or twice as experiences and then file them eternally away on the shelf.. *DON'T BUY ROOT*. It isn't for you, I promise.
Yeah, I don't understand these people that own shelves upon shelves of games and are going all in on every new Kickstarter. I've got 13 games and I don't get to play most of them.
Small rules clarification: the warlord's mobs only remove buildings, tokens, and ruins (i.e. cardboard), and not warriors. Also, Tom looks very warm. Maybe he should go to the lake map to cool off.
I would never want to be a printer. …but also…there are already THIS many expansions for Root? Kudos to Tom for taking us through all of this woodland wackiness.
I'm gonna take personal offense on behalf of crows. In my playgroup of 7 people there hasn't been a single game in last year where crows weren't the most contested faction at drafting. People readily trade their drafted moles, mice, otters for the chance to mess with people's heads and making them guess wrong.
I love the Corvid Conspiracy, although it takes a player who is hustling around the board and finding those spots where the "conspiracies" itself would be useful. They also need those crafted cards which give them more actions to play around. Great review of my favorite board game! ps. Last night just played a game of five players and the lizard player got to 22 points in just 4 turns :o.
You forgot the Neoprene Map! This is unironically my favorite addon to root. The base map reflects light making it tough to tell what’s what. It’s a lovely surface to play on and lays perfectly flat. If you’re even a little bit into root buy the mat. (And the partisans deck as others have mentioned.)
You forgot the Exiles and Partisans Deck. The definitive, most important expansion. :) Edit: And yes, it's noted in the video. It was "cool", but definitely not a "fine move".
With the hirelings box. The need for the clockwork expansion isn't needed. I used the CWE for adding a 3rd/4th player but with the hirelings. It adds a nice comeback system that allows players to not fall behind in scoring.
I love Root - but despite loads of games played we just never get round to the Riverfolk Company. Whenever we sit and try and puzzle out their faction, it just seems so complex we give it a miss. Lizard Cult also have a lot of moving parts - it feels like they nailed it with the Underworld Expansion with two more get-to-grips with factions. Though we've not done loads as the Keepers In Iron, they seem really hard to win as - especially with a busy board. Whoever has a go at them just finds it a slog. But maybe that's the point, not all factions are even!
I was a massive Redwall fan as a child. I had all of the books and watch the tv series far too many times. My favorite characters were the badgers and otters. So I naturally had to have the 1st and 3rd expansions. I’m glad I forgoed the 2nd. Incredible game for sure
Fun review to watch as someone who has played 100's of games of Root and still somehow not yet gotten "board" of it. Love what you do Tom. Do have to note though that mob tokens do not remove all enemy pieces - just tokens and buildings. Only a Corvid bomb or a Woodland Alliance revolt can do that!
Tom, thanks for reviewing my favorite board game!!! I love a game that has replayability from continuous learning how to play it better and many factions to learn.
Enjoyed the video! Really enjoying the Marauder’s Expansion along with all the hirelings! I usually add one of the Clockwork classes when short a player or when we want something different and crazy.
Love the content! Keep it up and stay cool :D ... get it? Also correction for the Rat's mob tokens at 7:46 as those destroy ruins, buildings and other tokens BUT not warriors.
I may have missed it, but the other small expansion is the Exiles and Partisans Deck. My personal tier list (for new players) - Base Game - Underworld (Moles and Crows) - Exiles and Partisans - Some Hirelings - Marauder (Mice and Badgers) - - OR Riverfolk (Lizards and Otters) … players should make their own choices now. I really feel like the Riverfolk factions are some of the hardest factions to understand and play when new to the game. While I find the Crows and Moles are good choices for new players. Exiles and Partisans is my preferred deck unless I am teaching the game. I just find it more fun.
Great video as always, Tom, but that tier list makes it sound like you forgot to punch the vagabond. Never forget: Always be punching the Vagabond! This message brought to you by Space Cats Peace Turtles.
I use the clockwork expansion for solo so I can better learn factions. For example, I’ll play the Lord of the Hundred against the clockwork Cats and Birds so I can better learn how to play the rats. Clockwork for me is a practice session.
I found the crows really fun to play in my first run... took an early lead as well but then the other factions noticed and started ganging up on my poor little terrorist-crows whilst the vagabond was ignored and she just slipped to victory unnoticed. :')
I have never played Root. The asymmetrical powers appear to balance each other when played effectively. But what happens when one faction is new to gaming (or not a very good player) Does it instantly give it's balanced faction an advantage?
This is just a very sweaty boardgame that feels somewhat hostile to those who aren't perfect with the rules. After 3 sessions no one in my friendgroup wants to play anymore
Root is a game where you will get better with experience. And each faction has an appropriate strategy that can be easy to get wrong and is often riddled with pitfalls. So yes, as a new player with experienced players you will have a tough time keeping up. That's nothing against the game, really. If you get a group with little experience and grow your experience with the game together you will have a good time.
It’s less direct than x faction checks Y faction. Though yes one of the issues is that people definitely all have to work in checking and balancing over players. Though that’s a common factor of almost multiplayer war games.
It's not balanced. Players need to coordinate to stop stronger factions from gaining too much momentum which create interesting politics which fits the theme of the game, because it's all about the power struggle and keeping ecosystem in balance.
Not all the factions are perfectly balanced and not all of them require the same amount of planning ahead, so if you have new players you can give them the easer factions and give the best players the factions that are tricker to win with.
Solidarity on the heat from Arizona Tom. Great video. I do love the vagabond, but completely understand why people remove it. My group now has a rule. Vagabond can be played once per Root day. And it must be randomized.
Quinns sold me on the Root basegame, Matt sold me on The Riverfolk, Tom sold me on the The Marauders, Can you ask Ava to review The Clockwork, please? Looking forward to Tom‘s next „Each and Every Expansion Epic Evaluation“: Eldritch Horror‘s 4 x big box and 4 x small box expansions… and then all the Arkham Horror 2nd Edition expansions. Or, if Quinns vetos Eldritch und Arkham, how about about Scythe - only 3 or 4 expansions to put on the tier list there.
For anyone with a mild interest in the clockwork expansions, GIVEPAUSE hobby has a few great rundowns of playing each bot faction, and even has a few videos of robo rumbles where the only players are the clockwork factions. Clockwork factions can be great for filling out a game if you and your friend only want to play some of the insurgent factions. Dependent on personal taste, but they absolutely have their place, and a lot of great work has gone into designing them to simulate the playstyle of a player controlled faction.
Personally, I love playing the crows. It's just fun to create a bit if chaos and thwarting the other players plans. Playing them is one of the rare cases where I do not mind loosing the game at all, because the mischief is so much fun in itself :)
Ouch, at around 8:00, I really hope you haven't played the mob tokens like that! They do nothing against enemy warriors! But cool with a new Root review. Your review of the base game was what made me get it, and now I have everything plus four fan factions! :o
If a FLGS wants to sell Root and TONS of expansions, they would be nuts to NOT print off the tier list and scotch tape it to the shelf with all their Root offerings (in the B&W version of course)
Great to get some more insights into the additional content after only playing basic root myself! Btw, will you guys be at the tabletop scotland convention?
While I like the idea of root, having every player having their own unique set of rules only works if *all* the players are good at rules. This is unusual.
I think this is literally the thing most keeping me from bringing out Root to the table. Just the idea of having to give a teach four different factions makes me feel exhausted.
Honestly, I think root is a really easy game to teach to new players as long as you cover the core rules (ruling clearings, movement, battle, etc.). If you try to explain every faction all at once, it'll be overwhelming, so best to do it as the games progress.
Root on its own is a pretty interesting, solid albeit slightly imperfect game what with the favors in the base deck and the Tinker. 8/10. The expansions are what make Root 11/10. The issues I had with the base game are almost completely resolved by the Exiles and Partisans deck and Advanced setup (Marauder Expansion) and the virtually limitless number of faction combinations makes the game endlessly replayable and fresh. I don't think any other game succeeds at what it does better than Root, it just takes several plays (and maybe watching a strategy guide) to get good enough at the game to unlock it's true potential. It's a contender for "greatest game of all time" imo.
I'm sorry but emh ACTUALLY, rat's mob token doesn't destroy everything in the clearing, just tokens and building, not warriors. There are more mistakes throughout the video, but I still love it!
Leaving the Railroad Ink tiers on the board certainly was a choice.
Next year list is gonna be crazy
The right choice
I had to pause it when they showed the printer safe version I was laughing so hard.
How difficult are these characters to play in Railroad ink?
It’s got real “entire netrunner card collection is stacked in one incredibly fragile tower” energy
Honestly never stops being fun to see the stuff that lives in my sketchbooks on other people's tables. FWIW Vagabond is S tier in my heart.
Likewise, your art is some of the most unique and awesome to look at. I always love seeing it. :D
Is there an oath expansion coming?
Your art is likely one of the leading causes of people owning Root that should not own Root. It's great!
@@helxishey more money for the devs.... tho the FOMO from board gamers who like cute things but just can't make this game work increases day by day
Your art is about 80% of root. Amazing work!
5:40 Its me. I'm the one who's always excited to play the crows.
The real crux of crow gameplay is in just how flexible they are, but you have to employ that flexibility carefully in order to circumvent just how easily opponents can stop you from winning.
Their very unique playstyle is something that can easily weasel its way into your heart.
There is no greater feeling than winning with the corvids. Everyone's worried about everyone else and you've got just enough bois on board to get two or three procs off and just eat the points. Feeding people conspiracies for good will is so free as well if you get them to protect your extortions
Also, the guy from Quackalope. He always uses them in his gameplay videos.
Git Gud Crow when /j
You're a legend
Crows are the most popular faction at my table. Easy to learn and lots of tricks. New players are drawn to em and vets love to play em.
my favorite part of this review is the fact that Tom has sleeved all of his cards, suggesting that he plays the crap out of root and wants to keep it for a long time in the best condition he can. that right there is the best endorsement a review can offer
It's a shame you can't fit the cards in the original box with most sleeves
Indeed, but that's true of many games. according to Mr. Wehrle, the packaging inside game boxes serves mostly to hold everything during shipping so it doesn't get damaged, but it's expected that you will just throw it out in most cases. At that point, everything fits without trouble.
That is of course not true for all games, however. John Company 2nd edition is the most packed box I've ever encountered and doesn't even fit its contents off the shelf. Also blame Mr. Wehrle for making a ludicrous product in that case
Gonna be honest, watching Tom's descent into madness from the heat culminating in that amazing printer impression was everything I needed. Can't wait for your next videos!
you dont choose to become keith sweat. Keith sweat chooses you.
As soon as I saw how shiny his forehead was in the opening seconds of the video I felt sorry for him. We get heat like that here but we're prepared for it.
Exiles & Partisans is the literal best Root expansion and I kept waiting for it to show up, lol
I thought he would add a skit at the very end, as if he hadn't heard of it until then. Alas...
Totally. The one most essential. It would be Marauder (second most essential) but since you can use the Advanced Setup rules PnP (or just digitally) with little effort, I rank E&P higher. Most bang for the buck, more fun cards and won’t have to keep an iron sight on whenever someone has 3 crafting pieces for a Favor of….
I own every root expansion, and the exiles and partisans deck is the single best one, it hugely improves every aspect of the game no matter how you’re playing.
Same and Same.
Except for Coffin Makers.. that cards simply brakes the game...
Agreed.
Yeah really weird to have skipped that one
I have literally everything too but have only ever played on the digital version with the base factions (don't ask). For the Exiles and Partisans deck, can you detail why you would say that? Having never used it I'm curious why you think it makes it so much better.
I’ve never played Root (don’t shoot me) but I loved this solely because its another human trying to deal with 40C in a country that has no air conditioning and whose houses retain heat. Good job!
When WL Raze, the Mob tokens do not remove warriors. They remove enemy buildings and tokens, and ruins. They do bot remove any warriors, only cardboard. It is important to note that when you raze a ruin you do not get a point but get the item in it.
You do however still get points for removing enemy buildings and tokens through raze.
This. Thank you. I swear I have never come across a single youtuber who knows how to play root.
Gotta Watch Nitrorev then! He clarifies rules an actions the best
I just love Root so much. It's such a charming board game.
I normally play the Birds (Eyrie). I like how you can build up a giant juggernaut of a war machine that will most likely fall apart due to circumstances from many turns ago coming back to haunt you 🤣
Running in as the Vagabond or Duchy and kicking over a crucial bit of the Eyrie's Decree when they're on a tear is incredibly satisfying.
I don't even own Root, I just think Tom is great and love watching his videos
Unexpected root content from SUSD, thanks Tom!
I've liked using the Clockwork expansion as a way to add a 3rd and/or 4th "player" in a competitive game. Give it a shot some time.
Does the 3v1 experience for you take a lot longer than a normal game? It did for my group and really turned me off the clockwork factions big time
@@haughtygarbage5848 3v1 sounds like a co-op experience against the bot which I haven't tried. If you meant, 4 players with 1 player being a bot (clockwork), from my experience it goes as fast as a normal player would or faster (no A.P.) 😅
for that reason I want it as we play with 2, just me and my wife and can only play cats and birds
OMG you guys are the ones that got me on to Root. Been wanting a video like this forever! It's now my favorite board game lol
That's awesome dude, but a bit weird since Quinn didn't reviewed the game favorably.
@@viljums That isn't true. Quinn's reviewed it very favourably. He just had some issues that meant he didn't feel able to officially recommend it. I also got Root due to his review.
Same here, I was obsessed with the game since I saw their video lol
"If you like a game so much that you would enjoy a different board for it to change things around, you should stop playing it and play something else instead" may ACTUALLY be the hottest take that's ever been expressed on this channel lmao
Going back to back on my two 10/10 games, Spirit Island and Root. SUSD really having my eyes glued to the screen!
Good choice, sir!
These old school FPS map name mentions made an elderly man smile. Thanks Tom.
I'm pretty sure 2fort is older than Tom is ...
What game is the Temple map from?
@@ratguy69 Smash Brothers.
Final Destination would have been more iconic but in terms of silly (and unbalanced) fun, Temple is a classic.
@@ShunyValdez Thanks! I never really played much of Smash Bros. I think I might have been born a few years too early for that one. I grew up more with the original NES and SNES, and missed most of the N64 games.
@@ShunyValdez Temple is also more root-like in that it has lots of strategically different areas and ways to traverse it.
Did you forget talking about the E&P deck?
That's what I was waiting for.
@@treyeck8705 He clearly owns it 🤷♀
"It's cool."
After the initial SU&SD review of Root, I'd decided it probably wasn't for me. But now, hearing there are friggin' Skaven in the game... Man, that just lights some kinda fire in me. I must pillage. I must burn. Strongly reconsidering a purchase...
give the steam version a try then to see if it clicks.
easier to learn with the weirdness of the rules
Pillage-loot the forest! More-more fire!
I love SU&SD but they got it wrong on their initial review. Root is a lifestyle game for me - besides MTG, I almost don't play anything else.
The rats are so flavourful! The part about light role play is so apt. Everyone I've played with becomes the instant villain of the game and the dynamic feels so different when the hundreds are steamrolling across the board.
It's funny how Root works....my entire tier list is basically Tom's upside down -- most notably IT IS THE RATS WHO BELONG IN PRISON, the Vagabond was falsely imprisoned as is the true hero of the wood!
The de_dust reference got me right in the nostalgia feels.
BUT TOM!! The Exiles and Partisans deck Tom! I already own it, but I need your opinion. I NEED validation for my purchases!!
Best reference guide to Root ever created, pure masterpiece.
loving the clear and easy to read graphics you put in the video +1 especially the tier rankings.
This was fun; not necessary for me since I already have all the faction expansions, but I'll take any opportunity to think about my favourite game!
It’s been a joy to watch Tom develop as a SU&SD host. This whole video is top tier Tom. And he did it in this horrible heat, too.
(I’m in Texas; I understand your suffering and I thank you for your service!)
1:04 is Quinns...under the table?
The marauder expansion is just incredible!
Seeing the Railroad Ink tier list pop up again was an excellent jump scare, and I'm very excited to see more in this continuity next summer
Always love hearing Tom talk about Root. 10/10 vid.
Good to see you drinking water!
I’ve played root 4 times with my friends, twice as the Lizard Cult and twice as the Corvus Cabal, and I won 3 out of the 4 games, the lizards being two of those wins. I loved them. Even before the changes were made.
They're so wonderfully devious!
The gatoraid joke was top shelf. Thank you for sharing!
Shoutout to that Tim Rogersly employment of the Doom shotgun sound effect. :)
"This is way too much game and you don't *need* all of it". This is what I have been telling people about Root for years. Here's what to do! Root is hugely popular because it has a cute theme. Your friend already owns this game. Get your friend(s) to play the base game with you several times. Do you still like it after those plays? Buy the base game! Play it 50 to 100 times. Do you *still* like the game? Now start looking at expansions!
Here's what to not do! Don't buy the game and every expansion because you think it is cute and think that the game's mechanics *seem so cool*. This game is hard. This game is mean. That rules out the huge majority of gamers right off the bat. Even if you can handle a hard, mean game.. can your friends? Probably not! Don't play Root once and make a judgement of it. Your first time is going to be awful. The second probably won't be much better! If you play your games once or twice as experiences and then file them eternally away on the shelf.. *DON'T BUY ROOT*. It isn't for you, I promise.
Yess, Louder for those in the back
Yeah, I don't understand these people that own shelves upon shelves of games and are going all in on every new Kickstarter. I've got 13 games and I don't get to play most of them.
Fastest click of my life
Same
glad to see everything is completely normal, just like it should be. Totally, completely normal.
i rewatch this once a month just to hear tom say “they’re lizzerds”
Small rules clarification: the warlord's mobs only remove buildings, tokens, and ruins (i.e. cardboard), and not warriors.
Also, Tom looks very warm. Maybe he should go to the lake map to cool off.
I would never want to be a printer.
…but also…there are already THIS many expansions for Root? Kudos to Tom for taking us through all of this woodland wackiness.
Tom was a great addition to the team. I thoroughly enjoy all his videos :)
Only Tom to make a titanfall reference in a root review, what a guy
I'm gonna take personal offense on behalf of crows. In my playgroup of 7 people there hasn't been a single game in last year where crows weren't the most contested faction at drafting. People readily trade their drafted moles, mice, otters for the chance to mess with people's heads and making them guess wrong.
Oh...oh no...Tom you mad lad what have you done??
*flashbacks of railroad ink expansions intensifies*
But Tom, what about the exiles and partisans deck?
Did Tom forget the exiles and partisans deck?
I love the Corvid Conspiracy, although it takes a player who is hustling around the board and finding those spots where the "conspiracies" itself would be useful. They also need those crafted cards which give them more actions to play around. Great review of my favorite board game!
ps. Last night just played a game of five players and the lizard player got to 22 points in just 4 turns :o.
How did they achieve that with the lizards?
You forgot the Neoprene Map! This is unironically my favorite addon to root. The base map reflects light making it tough to tell what’s what. It’s a lovely surface to play on and lays perfectly flat. If you’re even a little bit into root buy the mat. (And the partisans deck as others have mentioned.)
The material is good, but I don’t really like the coloring and markings (like ruins) on the neoprene mats. Thicker lines, less vibrant colors, etc.
Tom, are you ready for the ULTIMATE challenge? Tackle reviewing all the expansions for CARCASSONNE
You forgot the Exiles and Partisans Deck.
The definitive, most important expansion. :)
Edit: And yes, it's noted in the video. It was "cool", but definitely not a "fine move".
I can't believe root added the Giant Rat That Makes All Of The Rules as a playable character
With the hirelings box. The need for the clockwork expansion isn't needed. I used the CWE for adding a 3rd/4th player but with the hirelings. It adds a nice comeback system that allows players to not fall behind in scoring.
Corvid Conspiracy in D tier?! I'm outraged. My favourite faction by far. What could be more fun that their bluffing game?
Clearly your best video yet. Keep being more yourself!
I love Root - but despite loads of games played we just never get round to the Riverfolk Company. Whenever we sit and try and puzzle out their faction, it just seems so complex we give it a miss. Lizard Cult also have a lot of moving parts - it feels like they nailed it with the Underworld Expansion with two more get-to-grips with factions. Though we've not done loads as the Keepers In Iron, they seem really hard to win as - especially with a busy board. Whoever has a go at them just finds it a slog. But maybe that's the point, not all factions are even!
I was a massive Redwall fan as a child. I had all of the books and watch the tv series far too many times. My favorite characters were the badgers and otters. So I naturally had to have the 1st and 3rd expansions. I’m glad I forgoed the 2nd. Incredible game for sure
Been looking forward to the expansions review, great video as always!
Fun review to watch as someone who has played 100's of games of Root and still somehow not yet gotten "board" of it. Love what you do Tom. Do have to note though that mob tokens do not remove all enemy pieces - just tokens and buildings. Only a Corvid bomb or a Woodland Alliance revolt can do that!
Tom, thanks for reviewing my favorite board game!!! I love a game that has replayability from continuous learning how to play it better and many factions to learn.
Enjoyed the video! Really enjoying the Marauder’s Expansion along with all the hirelings! I usually add one of the Clockwork classes when short a player or when we want something different and crazy.
Tom is an agent of pure chaos and its great
So no Exiles and Partisans?
Love the content! Keep it up and stay cool :D ... get it?
Also correction for the Rat's mob tokens at 7:46 as those destroy ruins, buildings and other tokens BUT not warriors.
The Gatorade pun had me dying of laughter. It just caught me totally off-guard.
Man I am truly greatfull for these videos Tom keep up the great work!!
Taking a shot every time I hear the word "juicy," and quickly getting drunk
Yay all the expansions! the last second 2 word E&P review was the best part.
I may have missed it, but the other small expansion is the Exiles and Partisans Deck.
My personal tier list (for new players)
- Base Game
- Underworld (Moles and Crows)
- Exiles and Partisans
- Some Hirelings
- Marauder (Mice and Badgers)
- - OR Riverfolk (Lizards and Otters)
… players should make their own choices now.
I really feel like the Riverfolk factions are some of the hardest factions to understand and play when new to the game. While I find the Crows and Moles are good choices for new players.
Exiles and Partisans is my preferred deck unless I am teaching the game. I just find it more fun.
Great video as always, Tom, but that tier list makes it sound like you forgot to punch the vagabond. Never forget: Always be punching the Vagabond!
This message brought to you by Space Cats Peace Turtles.
I use the clockwork expansion for solo so I can better learn factions. For example, I’ll play the Lord of the Hundred against the clockwork Cats and Birds so I can better learn how to play the rats. Clockwork for me is a practice session.
I found the crows really fun to play in my first run... took an early lead as well but then the other factions noticed and started ganging up on my poor little terrorist-crows whilst the vagabond was ignored and she just slipped to victory unnoticed. :')
TOM. i appreciate what you did here, it's a whole lot of help for me :)
I have never played Root. The asymmetrical powers appear to balance each other when played effectively. But what happens when one faction is new to gaming (or not a very good player) Does it instantly give it's balanced faction an advantage?
This is just a very sweaty boardgame that feels somewhat hostile to those who aren't perfect with the rules. After 3 sessions no one in my friendgroup wants to play anymore
Root is a game where you will get better with experience. And each faction has an appropriate strategy that can be easy to get wrong and is often riddled with pitfalls. So yes, as a new player with experienced players you will have a tough time keeping up. That's nothing against the game, really. If you get a group with little experience and grow your experience with the game together you will have a good time.
It’s less direct than x faction checks Y faction. Though yes one of the issues is that people definitely all have to work in checking and balancing over players.
Though that’s a common factor of almost multiplayer war games.
It's not balanced. Players need to coordinate to stop stronger factions from gaining too much momentum which create interesting politics which fits the theme of the game, because it's all about the power struggle and keeping ecosystem in balance.
Not all the factions are perfectly balanced and not all of them require the same amount of planning ahead, so if you have new players you can give them the easer factions and give the best players the factions that are tricker to win with.
Never thought we’d see this in video form!
Solidarity on the heat from Arizona Tom. Great video.
I do love the vagabond, but completely understand why people remove it. My group now has a rule. Vagabond can be played once per Root day. And it must be randomized.
I can recommend playing co-op with a buddy against clockwork enemies. Like a lot of roots appeal, it's a fun thing to just try it out.
“Opinions that have low nutritional value” thank you for that gem
If you really love Root and want a way to play it and try the factions without an opponent then the Clockwork expansion is a cool option.
Quinns sold me on the Root basegame,
Matt sold me on The Riverfolk,
Tom sold me on the The Marauders,
Can you ask Ava to review The Clockwork, please?
Looking forward to Tom‘s next „Each and Every Expansion Epic Evaluation“: Eldritch Horror‘s 4 x big box and 4 x small box expansions… and then all the Arkham Horror 2nd Edition expansions.
Or, if Quinns vetos Eldritch und Arkham, how about about Scythe - only 3 or 4 expansions to put on the tier list there.
For anyone with a mild interest in the clockwork expansions, GIVEPAUSE hobby has a few great rundowns of playing each bot faction, and even has a few videos of robo rumbles where the only players are the clockwork factions. Clockwork factions can be great for filling out a game if you and your friend only want to play some of the insurgent factions. Dependent on personal taste, but they absolutely have their place, and a lot of great work has gone into designing them to simulate the playstyle of a player controlled faction.
Harry Potter and the Root of all Evil, staring Daniel Radcliff's doppleganger
Personally, I love playing the crows. It's just fun to create a bit if chaos and thwarting the other players plans. Playing them is one of the rare cases where I do not mind loosing the game at all, because the mischief is so much fun in itself :)
The faces Tom makes when "waggling his eyebrows" are faces my 2 month old makes when she's getting excited.
I'm wondering by the end of it if that clear liquid is actually cooling Tom down, or warming him up...great review either way!
I wish they would just release a big box and end the agony of choice.
A Complete Collection in a big box would be very hard to resist!
I LOVE playing the corvid. Could just be because I have a tendency to enjoy chaos and terror in the other players.
Ouch, at around 8:00, I really hope you haven't played the mob tokens like that! They do nothing against enemy warriors!
But cool with a new Root review. Your review of the base game was what made me get it, and now I have everything plus four fan factions! :o
If a FLGS wants to sell Root and TONS of expansions, they would be nuts to NOT print off the tier list and scotch tape it to the shelf with all their Root offerings (in the B&W version of course)
Great to get some more insights into the additional content after only playing basic root myself! Btw, will you guys be at the tabletop scotland convention?
While I like the idea of root, having every player having their own unique set of rules only works if *all* the players are good at rules. This is unusual.
I think this is literally the thing most keeping me from bringing out Root to the table. Just the idea of having to give a teach four different factions makes me feel exhausted.
Honestly, I think root is a really easy game to teach to new players as long as you cover the core rules (ruling clearings, movement, battle, etc.). If you try to explain every faction all at once, it'll be overwhelming, so best to do it as the games progress.
Can't wait for next year love these Tom videos
Didn't expect a tf2 reference and I'm here for it. I'm here for you, Tom.
I appreciate the Titanfall mention (:
At first I was indifferent to Tom’s reviews. Now I can’t imagine SUSD without him.
Root on its own is a pretty interesting, solid albeit slightly imperfect game what with the favors in the base deck and the Tinker. 8/10.
The expansions are what make Root 11/10. The issues I had with the base game are almost completely resolved by the Exiles and Partisans deck and Advanced setup (Marauder Expansion) and the virtually limitless number of faction combinations makes the game endlessly replayable and fresh. I don't think any other game succeeds at what it does better than Root, it just takes several plays (and maybe watching a strategy guide) to get good enough at the game to unlock it's true potential. It's a contender for "greatest game of all time" imo.
Next year: Every Expansion for Settlers of Catan! Perhaps for the first of April!
I'm sorry but emh ACTUALLY, rat's mob token doesn't destroy everything in the clearing, just tokens and building, not warriors. There are more mistakes throughout the video, but I still love it!
How we all felt in the heat was Hell Tier!
Awesome vid 🙂
I love how amazingly half-assed this review was 😂
LETS GO MORE ROOT CONTENT