Root is a game of asymmetric factions and shifting alliances, and expansions only deepen the experience. But with so many options, choosing your first expansion can be tough. Two popular choices are Root: The Vagabond Pack and Root: The Underworld Expansion. Both add new content, but they serve very different purposes.
Root: The Vagabond Pack
This comparison breaks down what each expansion includes, how they change the game, and which type of player benefits most from each. Whether you're a new player or a veteran looking to expand your collection, you'll know exactly which one to pick up next.
What’s Inside Each Expansion?
Root: The Vagabond Pack is a small-box expansion that adds three new Vagabond characters: the Harrier, the Arbiter, and the Ronin. Each has a unique starting item loadout and special abilities that offer fresh playstyles for the Vagabond role. It also includes new item cards and a few extra tokens, but no new maps or factions.
Root: The Underworld Expansion is a large-box expansion that introduces two new factions—the Underground Duchy and the Corvid Conspiracy—along with a new double-sided map (the Mountain and the Lake). It also adds the Marauder Hirelings Pack & Hireling Box content (if you buy the full bundle), which includes hirelings for scaling player counts. This expansion significantly expands the strategic possibilities of the base game.
- The Vagabond Pack focuses on the Vagabond role, giving existing players more variety without changing the core factions or map.
- The Underworld Expansion adds factions and a map, making it a more substantial investment that changes the entire game dynamic.
Gameplay Impact: Depth vs. Variety
If you enjoy playing the Vagabond and want more tactical options, the Vagabond Pack is a great choice. The Harrier can attack multiple times per turn, the Arbiter protects other players' pieces, and the Ronin excels at crafting. These characters add depth to the Vagabond role without overwhelming new players.
The Underworld Expansion introduces entirely new factions that play very differently from the base game. The Underground Duchy uses a unique action economy based on ministers, while the Corvid Conspiracy relies on plotting and deception. The new map also changes movement and clearing control, requiring all players to adapt. This expansion adds significant variety and replayability to the whole group.
- For players who want to master the Vagabond, the Vagabond Pack offers targeted depth.
- For groups that want a fresh strategic challenge, the Underworld Expansion delivers broad variety.
Value for Money and Replayability
The Vagabond Pack is a lower-cost expansion that provides three new characters for the Vagabond player. If your group rotates the Vagabond role, you'll get good replay value as each new character changes the game. However, it doesn't affect the other players' experience directly, so its impact is limited to one seat at the table.
The Underworld Expansion costs more but offers content for the entire group: two new factions, a new map, and hirelings that balance games with odd player counts. The new factions are complex but rewarding, and the map adds strategic depth. For most groups, this expansion offers better long-term value because it changes how everyone plays.
- If budget is a concern, the Vagabond Pack is an affordable way to refresh the game.
- If you want the most bang for your buck, the Underworld Expansion is the better investment for group play.
Which Expansion Should Beginners Buy First?
For players new to Root, the Vagabond Pack is a safer first expansion. It adds content for the Vagabond role without introducing complex new factions or map rules. You can ease into it while still enjoying the base game. It's also a great way to test the waters of expansion content without a big commitment.
The Underworld Expansion is better suited for groups that have played several games of Root and want a deeper challenge. The new factions have steeper learning curves, and the map changes the flow of the game. If your group is ready for that complexity, it will breathe new life into your sessions. However, if you're still learning the base factions, the Underworld Expansion might be overwhelming.
- New players: start with the Vagabond Pack for a gentle expansion experience.
- Experienced groups: dive into the Underworld Expansion for maximum new content.
Compatibility with Other Expansions
Both expansions are fully compatible with each other and with other Root products. You can use the Vagabond Pack characters alongside the Underworld factions, and the new map works with all Vagabonds. The Root Hirelings Storage Box Art Print is a nice way to organize your hireling tokens if you own multiple expansions.
Root Hirelings Storage Box Art Print
If you plan to eventually own all expansions, the order doesn't matter much. But if you're building your collection gradually, starting with the Underworld Expansion gives you more immediate variety, while the Vagabond Pack is a perfect follow-up for players who love the Vagabond role.
- Both expansions work together seamlessly, so you can mix and match.
- Consider your group's preferences: do they want new factions or new characters?
Choosing between Root: The Vagabond Pack and Root: The Underworld Expansion comes down to your group's experience and preferences. For a low-cost, focused addition that adds depth to the Vagabond role, go with the Vagabond Pack. For a major expansion that transforms the entire game with new factions and a map, the Underworld Expansion is the clear winner. Either way, your Root games will be richer for it.
