Root Review - with Tom Vasel 

Wow. I was already happy for backing it, after hearing your thoughts about it, I’m even more! I gotta say that the asymmetry part scared me first when I heard about it (was the main reason why always stayed away from Vast) but then the theme and components sold it for me.

12:21 That's exactly what happened in my first game! The woodland alliance came out of nowhere to win the game because as the cat faction, I concentrated too much on the Eyrie faction and the woodland alliance took control of the middle of the board with their bases and in two turns they made the last 10 points or so to win the game.

The art style reminds me of Night in the woods. Very cute!

Thank you to all the kickstarter supporters and to the creators of this game and thank you for this review! This game looks absolutely great and is very inspiring! Keep up the good work yall!

Was going to mention Redwall series, when my daughter was young we read that series together, Highly recommended.

Really hyped for this. Between Root and John Company I'd say Cole Wehrle is really showcasing his talent as a designer.

Very cool, I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about this game and a Dicetower review was exactly what I needed. Thanks Tom!

I got to try Root out at International Tabletop Day this April. It really blew me away; in fact it's the game that got me really seriously into hobby gaming. The asymmetry is a major selling point. And unlike Vast (also from Leder Games), Root has an underlying rules architecture that really focuses the game and makes it an easier learn. Coupled with great art and incredibly fun, innovative mechanics, this is easily my most anticipated game of 2018 to date. I have a hunch we're going to be hearing a lot of this one in the near future.

Correction on the move aspect of Eyrie (@5:20). You can move from a bunny location, not to.

Hi Tom, great review. You definitely made me more interested in it. With regards to the innovative part, the game is based on the COIN system, which "features Volko Ruhnke's game system presenting modern (Andean Abyss, Cuba Libre, A Distant Plain, Fire in the Lake, & Colonial Twilight), historic (Liberty or Death), and ancient (Falling Sky & Pendragon) guerrilla warfare and COunterINsurgencies around the world". Just wanted to let you know since you'll probably get a few comments about it. Finally, thanks for all the great work you've put in for board gaming over the years. I've spent countless hours over the years listening to the Dice tower crew.

Whew! Glad it's good. My Kickstarter copy should be showing up one of these days...

Had the opportunity to play this at Cascade Con in Bellingham, Washington this weekend. Loved the game so much that my friends and I played it 3 times over the course of the weekend. Got even luckier when a copy came up for sale on the Flea Market table so I grabbed it up. This is a game my friends and I will definitely get to the table on a regular basis.

This game looks really interesting. I think it would be a good pick for a live play.

Can't wait to get my ks copy... Guess it's gonna take a while since I'm in Brazil.

Redwall as a game?! I'm in!

Backed this one :) I'm so glad I decided to do so :D

I played this for the first time tonight. MAN this game is fun! We had the expansion so we played a 5 player game with some of the new factions. My first game I was the birds and I found it hilarious when my empire fell apart because I could finish my decrees. The second time we did the coop variant and I played the lizard cult from the expansion. Such interesting mechanics like having to plan your discards so that you can set yourself up to score points then planning what to keep so you can expand your influence... it’s surprisingly simple, yet deeply complex. I’m definitely getting it.

This is my absolute favorite game period. Great to see Tom liked it too :)

There are 6x Factions if you were a backer and the game can fit all into a single play-through. The Backer version also allows solo play.

Pretty stoked to get my copy here in canada! I tried the 1st pnp version of it, though it looks like it has come so far since then. It's always great to see Tom give his stamp of approval :D

Sounds complicated but the art style is cute

The setting and situation of this board game should be made into an animated movie or TV series using the same style of art.

I'd like to see a live play as well!

I had a feeling this would be a bit more approachable than Vast, and it looks like it is. Only a couple of people will play Vast in my gaming group, but I think I can get more folks to play Root.

Ugh, I very nearly back this one, and then on the new Vast kickstarter, I nearly added this on, but didn't. I thought it looked too complicated. Glad to hear it is great, hope to play it someday.

A few concerns: 1. How easy is it to teach? I'm always in charge of teaching new players and reading the rule books. That's always my job. 2. Does it feel like playing 4 different games in a single one? (due to asymmetry) I ask this because (as the teacher) it's always my job to advise and guide new players, so I would have to potentially learn all factions. 3. How long does it take to unpack? Setup? Re-setup? Pack?

so sad I missed the Kickstarter for this. they were doing root base game, river expac, and underworld xpac for $150. so sad I missed that deal.

I have always wanted to play Root. Thanks for making the game look great.

Played this at GenCon. My BIG concern is: does this game become completely linear once you learn how to play? Meaning, once you understand how the roles work, are you pigeon holed in to playing one strategy for each role every time you play this game? That's what it felt like for my friends and I after one play through. We could be very wrong, so curious from those who have played 5+ times.

Definitely getting this one! Excited to see the Tabletop rpg spin off

I almost backed this and decided not to and wanted to wait until reviews came out but seeing all those rules...I dunno not sure it's one for me.

Thanks Tom, this is one of the highly anticipated games, but despite interesting game play it’s a game that has too many rules/info to digest for me. I’ll also look forward to learning more about vast, ty. Nice shirt.

got the book and the expansion. It's brilliant. I'm a vagabond player.

I wonder if 'Birdsong' is a tribute to Magic Realm.

i made a PnP version in iran😎..but i have a problem with 12 sided (dodeca hedron) dices. there are no 12 sided dices in tehran! i have to 3d print them i suppose

When is this available? Looks awesome

Just got a copy of this for about $55. Hope I enjoy it!

I notice Tom says ally as alley.

I almost rage quit lol using the quick start rule card was way to vague and didnt explain why I was placing cards in places on my board. once we figured it out (ditching the quick start) it wasnt so bad. I doubt I will but it though

I need to try playing this game again from a different side. I played as the cats and I didn't really like the game as my turns just felt so repetitive.

5:30 no you have to move FROM that bunny location.

Where can i buy a copy? I only see a copy for $120 on amazon or $300 on Ebay... Isn't this game cost like $60?

"I want to play the cats again!" - Tom Vasel I'm going get that printed on a t-shirt.

"I am Root."

Added to my wish list.

I'm looking for an asymmetric game where you play as the underdog. Like you are the rebels trying to defeat the superpower. Anything like that?

Despite gorgeous art and the fact that id really like to play this, i think i will have to skip Root, the same as i skipped Vast. Our group doesnt meet as often as i would like (once per 2 weeks usually) so games hard to teach or that require few gameplays to grasp basic strategies (asymmetric games in general) are quite bad for us. But if i was younger or had friends willing to play it everyday i wouldnt hesitate.

Looks like a lot of rules & complexity to be honest. It's beautiful looking though.

Yay! Can't wait til it arrives

For those who have already played it, is it a easy game to learn for a beginner in board games?

Eh, after playing a bit, once the novelty of the asymmetry wears off, the game doesn't seem that fun. I think the asymmetry goes too far in that it feels like everyone is just playing their own separate solitaire game (the Vagabond is playing Mage Knight while others are playing Scythe or Twilight Imperium). Someone else's solitaire game occasionally flips the table of an opponent's separate solitaire game.

This pleases me!

Now I'm really looking forward for my KS-copy to show up hopefully in early August.

cats: Eyrie!!!!! Eyrie: cats!!!! woodland: imma just mess with yall vagabond: bonjour

I really like Vast... But i hardly ever played it because it's one heck of a pain to teach. It's essentially 5 different games that needs to be learned all at once. It's overwhelming even for gamers. While Root has me intrigued, i'm not going there again.

Great review. But as mentioned below, this game isn't as innovative as you say... credit must be given to the COIN system developed by GMT for their counter-insurgency line of wargames. And that's what Root is - a wargame in disguise. But HUGE props to Root for taking the COIN system and using it to create a theme for non-wargamers!

Looks like Mossflower. interesting

Thanks

Backed it on kickstarter and so hyped to see how the riverfolk play as a 5th faction (and a second vagabond incase we have 6)

This game is super pretty

Does the non-kickstarter edition come with the screen printed meeples or just regular cubes? Thanks

sold

I LOVE the game :) best buy this year definitely :D

The art is so fantastic, I wish it went to a ttrpg setting

Why do you think this is better than Vast? Is it just more refined? ty

Redwall the board game? sold (I was already sold but extra sold now that someone else has confirmed my Redwall feelings)

No talk of the 6 player expansion Tom ?

So would you say this game is better than Vast?

So... what’s the score for an “amazing!“ rating?

Not happy that he didn't start with what the objective of the game is. Felt it was bit of a ramble

Can't tell if the art direction is superior in Root or Tom's outfit.

Looks fun, a little put off by artwork. I like it but less "cute" is more to my liking. Like the asymmetrical aspect though.

This game looks cool but also looks like it scales terribly for 2-3 players.

wow coool

I thought keyforge was a new card game ,it looks like there already exists a board game version or something,is that true?????

I hated trying to learn and teach Vast. Going to skip this one.

The green pieces look like moldy slices of bread.

Game was ...okay

I really wish he would learn how to explain a game. He starts talking about sympathy as if we know what he means. Tom, always, always, start with the objective and work backwards. You’re good at capturing nuances of games but you’re not good at the most important thing. Everyone once in a while I’ll come back to see if he’s improved and he hasn’t. It’s a shame because his videos are a good length.

Every time someone says how good and cute the Root meeples are I feel bad for the designers who actually put effort into their game components to make them really beautiful, like Everdell, where you can see that a squirrel is a squirrel and not just a wooden square with ears and a rough drawing of eyes. If this is how low people's standards are, designers shouldn't bother wasting so much time in making their games a true work of art.

All of you loud and proud kickstarter peeps crack me up. Ya’ll should give yourself a pat on the back. Oh wait you already did. . 😆

The rulebook is absolute 👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼

Components looks terrible. Artwork is bad. Not appealing to me.