Cheap and easy to add. The reviewer says every Root owner should have it.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: A new 54-card deck you use instead of the base deck. Cards give new lasting powers.
Fixes: Replaces some base cards that many players felt were unbalanced.
The reviewer calls it the best Root expansion and the first faction box to get. Its swamp map makes 5-6 player games work.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Three new factions (Lilypad Diaspora, Twilight Council, Knaves of the Deepwood) and two new maps.
Fixes: Makes 5- and 6-player games playable on a bigger map.
A cheap swap-in deck that works with just the base game. Players are split on whether it beats Exiles and Partisans, so most should get that one first.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Another swap-in deck with cards inspired by the Marauder and Homeland factions.
Best pick if you often play with 2 or 3 people. Has factions for new and skilled players.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Two new factions (Lord of the Hundreds, Keepers in Iron), four hirelings and a new setup draft.
Fixes: Makes 2- and 3-player games feel busier and more alive.
Great if you like trading and table talk, or often teach new players.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Two new factions (Riverfolk Company, Lizard Cult), three new Vagabonds, a second Vagabond and a simple bot.
Fixes: Lets you play with up to 6 players and gives 4-player groups more variety.
Good for players who like flexible plans, sneaky bluffing, or new maps.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Two new factions (Underground Duchy, Corvid Conspiracy) and a new two-sided board with Mountain and Lake maps.
Fixes: New maps change up the board so games feel fresh.
Get one if you often play with few players. Pick the pack for factions you own least.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Small side factions that any player can control for a while. Marauder pack also has a box to store all hirelings.
Fixes: Fills the map in small games so 2- and 3-player games feel fuller.
Get one if you often play with few players. Pick the pack for factions you own least.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Small side factions that any player can control for a while.
Fixes: Fills the map in small games so 2- and 3-player games feel fuller.
Get one if you often play with few players. Pick the pack for factions you own least.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Small side factions that any player can control for a while.
Fixes: Fills the map in small games so 2- and 3-player games feel fuller.
Get one if you often play with few players. Pick the pack for factions you own least.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Small side factions that any player can control for a while.
Fixes: Fills the map in small games so 2- and 3-player games feel fuller.
For people who love playing the Vagabond or want matching pieces.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Three new Vagabond characters (Ronin, Adventurer, Harrier) and seven matching Vagabond pieces.
Fixes: Gives each Vagabond its own matching piece.
Only if you have no one to play with and do not want the digital app.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Bot versions of the four base factions for solo, co-op or filling empty seats. Three difficulty levels each.
Fixes: Lets you play Root alone or with too few people.
Only for solo players or collectors who already own Riverfolk or Underworld.
Needs: You need Root plus The Riverfolk Expansion or The Underworld Expansion (or both).
Adds: Bots for the Riverfolk, Lizard, Corvid and Duchy factions, plus a new trait card for each first Clockwork bot.
Fixes: Lets you play expansion factions against bots.
Easy to add but changes little. For collectors or as a small treat.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: Four wooden landmarks you place on the map: Black Market, Lost City, Legendary Forge, Elder Treetop.
Buy Root base game:Amazon (opens in a new tab)Leder Games (opens in a new tab)
The Exiles and Partisans Deck. Cheap and easy to add. The reviewer says every Root owner should have it.
Our verdict: buy this first. It adds: A new 54-card deck you use instead of the base deck. Cards give new lasting powers.
We’d buy The Exiles and Partisans Deck first. See the side-by-side comparison for what each adds and needs.
Rankings are our editorial picks, built from the reviews linked on each expansion page. Last checked 2026-09-27.