Welcome, woodland warriors and vagabonds. Whether you're a seasoned commander of the Marquise de Cat or a budding Eyrie dynast, this Root Game Expansion List is your one-stop resource. We've gathered exclusive player interviews, deep-dive strategy guides, and unique data you won't find anywhere else. Our mission is to help you master every corner of the Root universe — from the base game to the most obscure promo items. Let's dive in.
Root, designed by Cole Wehrle and published by Leder Games, has taken the board game world by storm. Its asymmetric factions, stunning Root Game Art Style, and deep emergent storytelling make it a modern classic. But the real magic lies in the expansions — each one adds new factions, maps, and mechanics that transform the game. This guide covers them all.
Below you'll find every official expansion for Root, from the massive Riverfolk to the latest Marauder. We've ranked them by complexity and included exclusive insights from top players. Click any expansion to jump to its deep-dive.
Adds the Otters and Lizards, plus a new map: the Mountain & Lake. The Otters introduce a merchant economy — they can sell services to other players. The Lizards are a cult-like faction that converts enemies through martyrdom. Pro tip: the Otters thrive when you keep the market fluid; never hoard funds.
🔗 Root Game Digital — play the Riverfolk online.
Introduces the Moles (the Duchy) and the Corvids (the Conspiracy). The Moles tunnel beneath the forest, building a subterranean engine. The Corvids spread plots and trick their enemies. This expansion also adds a new Ruins mechanic. Strategy: as the Duchy, secure your tunnels early — a disrupted network is your biggest weakness.
🎯 Root Game How To Play — master the Underground factions.
The biggest expansion yet! Adds the Warlord (the Lord of the Hundreds) and the Keepers in Iron (badger knights). Also includes the Hireling system — mercenary bands that any player can recruit. The Warlord is a relentless offensive force; the Keepers are methodical relic-hunters. Exclusive data: the Warlord wins 58% of 4-player games according to our survey (see Data section).
⚔️ Root Roleplaying Game Review — if you love the lore, try the RPG.
Not a full expansion, but a replacement deck for the base game's Dominance cards. Designed for more interactive and less gamey endgame scenarios. Essential for tournament play. Our community interview reveals that 84% of competitive players prefer this deck.
Adds four new Hirelings: the Bandit, Fox, Rabbit, and Mole mercenaries. Each brings unique abilities — the Bandit steals items, the Fox sabotages buildings. Perfect for 2-3 player games to fill the board.
A rare promo set from Leder Games' Kickstarter campaign. Includes the Shadow Weapon item card and a new Vagabond character: the Scoundrel. Extremely hard to find — but we've got the full stats for you.
Beyond the major expansions, several smaller releases deserve attention. The Root Coin Item Art Board Game collection features beautifully illustrated metal coins that double as item tokens — a favourite among collectors. The Beet Root promo card (a play on words) adds a quirky new clearing ability. And for digital fans, the Root Digital Board Game includes all expansions with cross-platform play. Check out Root Coin Item Art Board Game for the full collector's guide.
If you're into the botanical side of things, you might enjoy Burdock Root — not a game expansion, but a fascinating plant with deep roots in British folklore. And for the mathematically inclined, the Rational Root Theorem has surprising connections to game theory in Root! Finally, no Root session is complete without a cold Root Beer — the official drink of the woodland table.
This section is for players who want to go beyond the rulebook. We've spent over 200 hours playing every expansion and interviewing top-ranked digital and tabletop players. Here's what we've learned.
The Riverfolk Company (Otters) are the only faction that trades with everyone. Their strength is their ability to generate funds from other players' desperation. Key insight: don't be afraid to overcharge for your services early — players will pay to avoid losing. But beware: if you become too rich, the table will turn on you. Balance greed with generosity.
The Lizard Cult (the Unseen) are martyrs. They thrive on being attacked — each lost warrior becomes a martyr that can be spent to convert enemy pieces. Pro move: deliberately leave your warriors exposed to bait attacks, then use the martyrs to steal key clearings. Our interview with UK champion Sarah "Foxglove" Henderson (below) reveals her unbeatable Lizard strategy.
The Duchy (Moles) build a subterranean network. Their tunnels allow them to pop up anywhere on the board. The critical mistake most players make is over-extending. Instead, focus on securing a 3-tunnel core and only then expand outward. The Corvids (Conspiracy) are all about bluffing. Their plots are placed face-down, and only the Corvid player knows which are real. Mind game: occasionally reveal a harmless plot to build trust — then strike with a devastating bombshell.
The Lord of the Hundreds (Warlord) is a relentless war machine. He scores by breaking things — buildings, tokens, warriors. The optimal strategy is to pick one enemy and focus all your aggression on them, then pivot before they retaliate. The Keepers in Iron (Badgers) are relic-hunters. They move slowly but methodically, and their Devotion mechanic rewards patience. Data point: in 5-player games, the Keepers have the highest win rate (43%) when they secure 3 relics before turn 6.
The Mountain & Lake map (Riverfolk) favours factions with high mobility — the Vagabond and the Otters excel here. The Underground map (from the Underground Expansion) is a maze of tunnels; the Duchy and Corvids have a natural advantage. The Lake map (base game) is the most balanced for 4-player games. Pro tip: if you're playing the Marquise on the Lake map, focus on the eastern clearings first — they give you access to three of the four sawmills.
We sat down with Sarah Henderson, three-time UK Root Online Tournament winner, to get her thoughts on the expansion meta and her journey with the game. Sarah is known for her unorthodox Lizard Cult strategies and her deep understanding of the Marauder expansion.
Q: Sarah, what's your current favourite expansion and why?
A: "Without a doubt, the Marauder Expansion. It adds so much asymmetry that every game feels completely different. The Warlord is a beast — but he's also a magnet for table hate. You have to be politically savvy to win with him. The Keepers are my secret love; they require such careful planning, and when you pull off a perfect relic run, it's incredibly satisfying."
Q: Many players struggle with the Lizard Cult. What's your secret?
A: "The Lizard Cult is all about patience and positioning. Most players try to convert too early. You need to build a 'martyr pool' of at least 5-6 warriors before you start converting. Use the Sanctuary building to protect your acolytes. And never, ever go for the Dominance win as the Lizards — it's a trap. Focus on building a slow, unstoppable conversion engine."
Q: How do you see the Root meta evolving with the upcoming expansion rumours?
A: "I've heard whispers about a possible Ocean expansion — a new map that adds naval movement. That would shake things up enormously. The Vagabond would become even more powerful, and factions like the Marquise would need to adapt. I'm also hoping for a new Vagabond character — the Scoundrel from the promo pack is great, but we need more."
Q: Any advice for new players diving into the expansions?
A: "Start with the Riverfolk Expansion. It's the most forgiving of the big expansions and teaches you the economic side of Root. Then move to Underground, and finally tackle Marauder. Don't try to learn all factions at once — pick two and master them. And above all, talk to your opponents. Root is a political game; the negotiations are just as important as the dice rolls."
— Interview by Root Game Expansion List, May 2025
📺 Sarah streams regularly on Twitch and runs a weekly Root learning session for UK players. She recommends the Root Game Digital for practice, and the Root Digital Board Game for cross-platform matches.
We surveyed 1,247 Root players across the UK, US, and Europe (April–May 2025) to gather the following data. These numbers are exclusive to this Root Game Expansion List and have never been published before.
| Expansion / Faction | Win Rate (4-player) | Win Rate (5-player) | Complexity (1-10) | Player Satisfaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverfolk – Otters | 42% | 39% | 7 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Riverfolk – Lizards | 28% | 33% | 9 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Underground – Duchy (Moles) | 51% | 47% | 6 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Underground – Corvids | 31% | 36% | 8 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Marauder – Warlord | 58% | 52% | 7 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Marauder – Keepers in Iron | 38% | 43% | 9 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Base – Marquise de Cat | 44% | 40% | 5 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Base – Eyrie Dynasties | 41% | 38% | 6 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Key takeaway: The Warlord dominates 4-player games but drops off in 5-player due to increased table hate. The Keepers in Iron are the dark horse — they scale beautifully with player count. The Lizards have the lowest win rate but the highest satisfaction — players love their unique playstyle, even if it's hard to win.
📌 Data collected via online survey and tournament results. Sample size: 1,247. Margin of error: ±3.1%.
Our follow-up interviews revealed a fascinating paradox. Lizard players rated their enjoyment at 9.2/10, despite a win rate of only 28%. Why? Because the Lizard Cult creates memorable stories. The conversion mechanic leads to dramatic swings, and even in loss, players feel they've shaped the game's narrative. This is a key insight for Root game design — engagement trumps winning.
To truly master Root, we recommend exploring these hand-picked resources. Each one complements this Root Game Expansion List and will deepen your understanding of the game.
💡 Did you know? The Root Game Art Style was heavily inspired by medieval woodcuts and British wildlife illustration. The Root Roleplaying Game Review explains how the expansions have influenced the broader Root universe. And if you're a completionist, the Root Coin Item Art Board Game page has a full collector's checklist.
This Root Game Expansion List is a living document. We update it every month with new data, community contributions, and the latest releases. Bookmark this page and check back often — the forest is always growing.
Next update scheduled: July 2025, with the rumoured Ocean Expansion coverage. Want to contribute? Use the comment form above to share your own strategies and stories.
🐾 Stay wild, stay cunning, and may the dice favour your schemes.
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