Which Root expansion after the base game?

2-4 players (base) Asymmetric / war About 60-90 min

The game

Already own Root? Here is how the English boxes fit together: four faction expansions, two bot boxes, hireling packs and small add-ons.

The English base game seats 2 to 4. Every faction expansion pushes it to 5 or 6. Solo play comes from the Clockwork bots.

The English base box has 4 factions. Unlike some other languages, Riverfolk is a separate box in English: Riverfolk Company, Lizard Cult and a second Vagabond.

Bots are their own boxes. Want to play solo or fill seats with bots? That's the Clockwork Expansion (bots for the base factions) and Clockwork Expansion 2 (bots for Riverfolk and Underworld factions).

Homeland is the newest (2026). Three factions and two new maps. It needs the base game only, like the other big expansions.

Which boxes do you already own?

Put on the table what you already have, and how many of you play.

You usually play with

1 2-4 5-6

Release timeline

Base and Riverfolk 2018, Underworld, Clockwork, Vagabond and Landmarks packs 2020, Marauder, Clockwork 2 and hireling packs 2022, Homeland 2026.

The graph

How the Root boxes connect, plus the mechanics. An arrow starts at the expansion and points to the box it needs.

needs another box
contains this box
part of the line
game mechanic

Depending on what you want

You want	Get
New factions and maps	Underworld, then Marauder or Homeland
Play with 5 or 6	Any faction expansion
Solo or bots	Clockwork Expansion, then Clockwork Expansion 2
Tighter games at 2-3	Marauder, or a hireling pack
Small variety for cheap	Vagabond Pack or Landmarks Pack

Tick your boxes at the top and the answer follows.

At the table

Box	What it brings
Root	2-4 players. Marquise, Eyrie, Alliance, Vagabond.
Riverfolk Expansion	Riverfolk Company, Lizard Cult, 2nd Vagabond.
Underworld Expansion	Underground Duchy, Corvid Conspiracy, Mountain and Lake maps.
Marauder Expansion	Lord of the Hundreds, Keepers in Iron, 4 hirelings.
Homeland Expansion	Lilypad Diaspora, Twilight Council, Knaves of the Deepwood, 2 maps.
Clockwork Expansion	4 bots for Marquise, Eyrie, Alliance, Vagabond.
Clockwork Expansion 2	Bots for Riverfolk, Lizards, Duchy, Corvids.
Riverfolk Hirelings Pack	Hirelings themed on the Riverfolk factions.
Underworld Hirelings Pack	Hirelings themed on the Underworld factions.
Marauder Hirelings Pack	6 hirelings plus a storage box for all hirelings.
Homeland Hirelings Pack	Hirelings themed on the Homeland factions.
Vagabond Pack	More Vagabond characters.
Landmarks Pack	Landmarks that change the map.

Compatibility

Box	Needs	Players
Root	standalone base	2-4
Riverfolk Expansion	needs base	2-6
Underworld Expansion	needs base	2-6
Marauder Expansion	needs base	2-6
Homeland Expansion	needs base	2-6
Clockwork Expansion	needs base	1-4
Clockwork Expansion 2	needs base	1-6
Riverfolk Hirelings Pack	needs base	2-6
Underworld Hirelings Pack	needs base	2-6
Marauder Hirelings Pack	needs base	2-6
Homeland Hirelings Pack	needs base	2-6
Vagabond Pack	needs base	2-6
Landmarks Pack	needs base	2-6

The Exiles and Partisans Deck, playmats, upgrade packs and the Root roleplaying game are outside the picker.

FAQ

Which Root expansion should I buy first?

Underworld for most groups: two strong factions and two new maps. Marauder is a great second, especially at 2-3 players.

Is Riverfolk included in the English base game?

No. In English, the Riverfolk Expansion is a separate box with the Riverfolk Company, the Lizard Cult and a second Vagabond.

How do I play Root with 5 or 6 players?

Add any faction expansion: Riverfolk, Underworld, Marauder or Homeland. The base box alone seats 2 to 4.

Can I play Root solo?

Yes, with the Clockwork Expansion. It has bots for the four base factions. Clockwork Expansion 2 adds bots for the Riverfolk and Underworld factions.

What are hirelings?

Small factions that any player can take control of. Marauder includes four. The hireling packs add more.

Who publishes Root in English?

Leder Games. Designer: Cole Wehrle. Art: Kyle Ferrin.