Root is an asymmetric board game designed by Cole Wehrle, illustrated by Kyle Ferrin, and published by Leder Games in 2018. It is set in a forest kingdom where different factions vie for control and dominance. Players take on the roles of various woodland creatures, each with their own distinct abilities, goals, and strategies. The game’s asymmetry is one of its defining features, offering a rich and dynamic experience with every playthrough.
The gameplay of Root is deeply strategic and thoroughly engaging. Each faction plays differently, requiring players to adapt their tactics based on their chosen role and the actions of their opponents. I’d go so far as to say that each player in Root is playing a near-completely different game. I love that. Asymmetry is my jam, and I loved it in other games as well, such as Cosmic Encounter, Twilight Struggle, and others.
Returning to Root and its factions, The Marquise de Cat focuses on building and expanding their empire, the Eyrie Dynasties seek to maintain control through decrees and dominance, the Woodland Alliance incites revolt and spreads sympathy, and the Vagabond wanders the forest completing quests and forming alliances. I think my favourite to play in person would have to be The Eyrie. I love the tightrope that you need to walk with them. You see, each turn you must add one or two extra compulsory actions to your board and when you fail to complete every action on a given turn, your faction goes into turmoil, overthrows their leader, and you lose half of your points. It’s a delightful, high-risk faction that rewards aggressive play. I also really love the Woodland Alliance. They are the t̶e̶r̶r̶o̶r̶i̶s̶t̶s̶ freedom fighters of the setting. I love how they work by spreading sympathy around the forest and gathering followers, before rising up to establish bases and carry out more blatant military actions. I think they take a wee while to get going, but can be really strong once they get going. Online, I tend to go the Vagabond. He’s just wandering the forest, doing his own thing. I can respect that.
Root is a game of intricate strategy and careful planning. Each faction has its own strengths and weaknesses, and mastering them requires understanding not only your own capabilities but also those of your opponents. Balancing expansion, resource management, and conflict resolution is key to success, and alliances can shift quickly as players vie for control of the forest.
One of Root’s greatest strengths is its high replayability. With four base factions and numerous expansions adding even more options, each game offers a fresh and unpredictable experience. The ever-shifting dynamics of player interactions ensure that no two games are alike, keeping players coming back for more.
Root is visually stunning, with charming artwork and whimsical character designs by Kyle Ferrin that bring the forest kingdom to life. The game’s theme is rich and immersive, drawing players into a world of political intrigue and woodland warfare. From the colorful game board to the intricately detailed faction cards, every element of Root’s design contributes to its immersive atmosphere. Ultimately, this game is not a million miles from games like those in GMT’s COIN series of counter-insurgency-themed titles. Those games sit languishing on my shelf. I think it’s just easier to hide that gameplay under a cute, approachable exterior.
I do think that Root is a masterpiece of asymmetric board gaming. It manages to combine satisfyingly deep strategy, engaging gameplay, and gorgeous visuals to create an experience that is as rewarding as it is enjoyable. I’ve played this a lot over the past year and I keep going back for more, rather than experiencing the slight fatigue I experienced with other still-excellent games, such as Apiary. This feels more of an evergreen title, I suppose.
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