Root News

[p]We've released a hotfix addressing various bugs following the release of Hirelings & Landmarks. A huge thanks to the players who have reported these issues so we can continue to make Root Digital the best it can be![/p][p][/p][h2]Bug Fixes[/h2]

• [p]Fixed a number of compatibility issues when moving from the pre-Hirelings version and the post-Hirelings version, particularly around saving and resuming in-progress matches.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where, moving from the pre-Hirelings version into the post-Hirelings version, players may be unable to place Corvid Plot tokens in online multiplayer games.[/p]
• [p]Resolved a case where players on the pre-Hirelings version could not explore the ruins as the Vagabond in multiplayer games.[/p]
• [p]Players who resume a save from the pre-Hirelings version on the post-Hirelings version should no longer encounter the Tower not properly granting points.[/p]
• [p]Lizard Cult should no longer be able to build a 6th Garden of one suit, which caused softlocks.[/p]
• [p]The ferry no longer disappears in cases where it was used to move the Lizards, Duchy, or Riverfolk.[/p]
• [p]Players should no longer be able to see unrevealed Plot tokens in Strategic view after the Corvid player revealed them.[/p]
• [p]Resolved a rare case where the match could crash when playing as the Marquise and choosing which wood to use during an action.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where Marquise would softlock or not be able to undo when choosing wood to spend.[/p]
• [p]When the Vagabond uses a Favor card to remove warriors, their relationship with that warriors faction now becomes hostile.[/p]
• [p]Resolved a case where Keepers Relic icons could be very large when zoomed out.[/p]
• [p]Other factions should no longer use the Duchy Pickaxes in the ball of violence during combat.[/p]
• [p]The No Lords Before Me challenge should no longer occasionally end immediately after setup.[/p]
• [p]The Marquise Faction Info screen should no longer display incorrect building costs.[/p]
• [p]The Action log should no longer display suits of cards added to the Alliance supporters pile.[/p]
• [p]Players should no longer be forced to place two Mob tokens during Birdsong if next to the Lost City.[/p]
• [p]Lizards who begin to reveal Bird Cards for Acolytes should no longer have to reveal them all.[/p]

[p][/p][p]The Woodland is getting wilder! Hirelings & Landmarks arrives with new ways to shape the map, and fresh faces to sway the balance of power![/p][p]Alongside the new expansion, we’ve shipped a broad round of polish based on your feedback. You’ll notice tighter rules fidelity with the tabletop game, steadier performance, and smarter opponents — all aimed at improving the overall experience.[/p][p]Jump in, explore new combos, and tell us what you uncover — your reports have been instrumental in making Root Digital the best it can be![/p][p][/p][h2]General Improvements [/h2]

• [p]By popular demand, the Marquise Field Hospital timing now matches tabletop in all modes except online async play.[/p]
• [p]Added ‘Bluff’ option when creating a game. If enabled, priority is passed to take actions regardless of the contents of players hands. Applies to Ambush, Field Hospital, Feline Physicians, and Rabbit Scouts. Only available in live timer games.[/p]
• [p]Vagabond and Eyrie AI have been significantly improved, bringing their scores more in line with other base factions.[/p]
• [p]Automatic camera movement is now optional and disabled by default.[/p]
• [p]Added a deck count to the supply window.  [/p]
• [p]Added several more hotkeys for common functions and an index listing them in settings.[/p]
• [p]Added an option to include a Screenshot when submitting feedback.[/p]
• [p]VFX highlight now appears on the “maximize prompt” button.[/p]
• [p]“Anytime” actions such as Exposure have been streamlined to minimize unnecessary extra prompt windows.[/p]

[h2]Bug Fixes[/h2][h3]General Fixes & Improvements[/h3]

• [p]Marquise can now select any clearing for their first Homeland on the Mountain map.[/p]
• [p]Marquise no longer counts spent wood for Rule using Soup Kitchens.[/p]
• [p]Vagabond “Anytime in Birdsong” cards can now be used before Refresh and Slip as intended.[/p]
• [p]Murine Brokers no longer occasionally grant multiple cards to opponents.[/p]
• [p]Guessing Exposure incorrectly no longer lets Eyrie skip adding to the Decree.[/p]
• [p]Correct Expose guesses no longer reveal the card to other players.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where Marquise was unable to choose all legal homeland locations on the Lake Map.[/p]
• [p]Keepers in Iron can now choose homeland clearings correctly on the Winter Map.[/p]
• [p]Improved several areas where AI made strange choices.[/p]
• [p]Fixed many issues involving the Undo function.[/p]
• [p]Improved certain areas of the Tutorial which caused confusion.[/p]

[h3]Visual & Animation[/h3]

• [p]Dominance animations now show the correct faction backgrounds for the Duchy and the Corvids.[/p]
• [p]Some assets on the Lake map no longer overlap buildings and tokens.[/p]
• [p]Warriors no longer appear inside the tower on the Mountain map.[/p]
• [p]Clouds in Strategic View now blend smoothly.[/p]
• [p]Vagabond “Quest Completed” animation now plays as expected.[/p]
• [p]Keepers in Iron relics and Vagabonds no longer cause trees to disappear on the Winter Map.[/p]
• [p]Trees no longer clip through the Marquise Keep when a Favor card removes the token.[/p]
• [p]The Duchy Citadel icon now appears the same as it does in tabletop.[/p]

[h3]User Interface & Experience (UI/UX)[/h3]

• [p]On Steam Deck, tapped cards and tooltips now dismiss correctly.[/p]
• [p]Available faction icons are larger and easier to select on large-UI mobile devices.[/p]
• [p]Some HUD elements are no longer off-screen on some tablets.[/p]
• [p]Selecting Bird cards now works correctly when suited cards are also available for the Keepers in Iron on mobile devices.[/p]
• [p]Gamepad support has been improved.[/p]
• [p]Vagabond icons now display correctly when using the Ferry on the Lake map in Strategic View.[/p]
• [p]Expose now highlights the correct clearing in Strategic View.[/p]
• [p]Wood highlights for Marquise are more visible in Strategic View.[/p]
• [p]Vagabond targeting to strike a Keepers In Iron relic is now clear when multiple relics are stacked.[/p]
• [p]A confirmation now appears when ending the Vagabond’s turn with actions remaining.[/p]
• [p]Increased highlight size to attack the Keep when the model isn’t present.[/p]
• [p]Save and Exit / Resign now return you to the correct Local/Online screen.[/p]
• [p]Vagabond is now able to review their quests during item damage selection.[/p]
• [p]Eyrie faction information no longer covers clearings in Strategic View on affected screens.[/p]
• [p]The Marquise Keep clearing is now more clearly indicated when playing with Adset.[/p]
• [p]Lost Souls and revealed Lizard cards can now be opened while the Sway Ministers screen is minimized.[/p]
• [p]The restore prompt button no longer overlaps constructed card icons.[/p]
• [p]Improved expanded rules for Marquise wood cost visualization.[/p]
• [p]Field Hospitals prompts no longer block Riverfolk purchase prompts at turn start.[/p]
• [p]Winter map icons no longer cover neighboring clearing costs.[/p]
• [p]Improved the clickable region to attack buildings on the Winter Map.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where the prompt to use a Partisan card wouldn’t appear during combat.[/p]
• [p]Added additional entries to the Action Log, and improved several existing entries.[/p]

[h3]Localization[/h3]

• [p]The Pacifist (Heroic) challenge description has been clarified.[/p]
• [p]Fixed several areas where localization was incorrect or missing.[/p]

[h3]Multiplayer & Online[/h3]

• [p]Additional game settings now display when viewing lobbies.[/p]
• [p]Chat no longer cuts off the last line at certain resolutions.[/p]
• [p]Cards are no longer dealt face down to players after being discarded by the AI in Pass and Play.[/p]

[h3]Technical / Rare Occurrences[/h3]

• [p]Fixed several potential errors which would have resulted in softlocks.[/p]

[p][/p][h2]See you in the clearings![/h2]

[p][/p][p]The Woodland is an old and storied place, and many secrets lay hidden within the thick underbrush of the woods… until now! A Lost City, an Elder Treetop, a Legendary Forge, and even a buzzing Black Market have all come to light. Learn more about these new wonders of the forest in our newest preview article for Hirelings & Landmarks![/p][p][/p][h3]Read More: Woodland Wonders - A Look at Landmarks in Root Digital[/h3][p][/p][p]Hirelings & Landmarks is coming to Steam on October 20th, with mobile platforms and Nintendo Switch to follow thereafter! The forest roars to life in this new expansion for Root Digital, bringing mischievous mercenaries and new wonders to the Woodland![/p][p][/p]

[p][/p][p]With all 13 Hirelings from the tabletop game coming to Root Digital, in the new Hirelings & Landmarks expansion, some introductions are in order! Let’s take a look at some of the Hirelings making their way to the forest, and how their unique skills and abilities will transform your games of woodland warfare![/p][p][/p][h3]Read the full preview on our website![/h3]

[p][/p][p]Hirelings & Landmarks is coming soon to Root Digital on October 20th (with mobile platforms and Nintendo Switch to follow), bringing a whole new layer of cunning, chaos, and cutthroat alliances to the Woodland![/p][p]We’ve talked before about how Hirelings are neutral mini-factions — think bands of wandering mercenaries — that aren’t controlled by any single player at the start. Instead, they’re up for grabs, ready to be hired by the craftiest commanders in the Woodland. But be warned: Hirelings are fickle in nature, and you’ll only command their loyalty for so long before they offer their services to someone else![/p][p][/p][h2]Bringing New Life into the Woodland[/h2][p]When you play with Hirelings, exactly three of them will join the game, either in Promoted or Demoted form, depending on player count. Promoted Hirelings are active participants in the Woodland with pieces on the board and their own unique rules, while Demoted Hirelings are simpler in nature — little to no board presence, but they do offer unique abilities to the players who control them. [/p][p][/p][p]Hirelings will often feel like miniaturized versions of their parent factions. The Forest Patrol, representing the Marquise, puts cats into every clearing, frequently moves and battles, and can quickly bring defeated troops back to the board. Sound familiar?[/p][p][/p][p]Promoted Hirelings are particularly impactful for two-player games, because their presence brings the Woodland to life in ways previously only possible at higher player counts. With pieces scattered across the board, shifting allegiances, and new opportunities for battles to rage all over the forest, every match — no matter how many players — can feel like a full game of Root!
[/p][p]It’s a two-player game with the Duchy versus the Keepers, and yet there are cats all over the map! Hirelings ensure that every game of Root is teeming with life. Can you spot the other Hirelings present on this board?[/p][p][/p][p]Of course, adding that many pieces to the board would make an actual full game of Root feel pretty crowded, and that’s why you’ll find more Promoted Hirelings in games with lower player counts, and more Demoted Hirelings in games with higher player counts. For every player added beyond the second, one of the three Hirelings will be in their Demoted form. Demoted Hirelings usually don’t have a board presence, but they do bring heightened intrigue by providing passive abilities that can pass between players throughout the game. [/p][p][/p][h3]Challenge Alert: Get the most out of Demoted Hirelings in the Mercenary Mayhem Challenge! In this scenario, your opponent will control one Promoted Hireling the whole game, while you choose one of three Demoted Hirelings to control at the end of each turn. How will you use their passive abilities to your advantage?[/h3][p][/p][p]Here we see Feline Physicians, the Demoted version of the Marquise Hireling. This Demoted Hireling doesn’t put pieces on the board, but it nonetheless evokes the spirit of the Marquise by granting the Field Hospitals ability to whoever controls them.[/p][p][/p][h2]Recruiting Hirelings[/h2][p]Hirelings begin the game uncontrolled, each one ready to offer their services once a certain number of points has been reached by any player. The first Hireling joins the fray at four points, the second at eight points, and the third at 12 points. The player\[s] who reach these checkpoints first will gain initial control over a Hireling — but these little guys lose motivation quickly, so don’t be surprised if their loyalty is short-lived!
[/p][p]The first player to reach four points gets the first dibs on picking a Hireling. The next Hireling unlocks when any player reaches eight points, and then 12.[/p][p][/p][p]The duration of a Hireling’s “contract” is determined by the control die. You’ll roll this die when you gain control of a Hireling, and it will determine how long you get to enjoy the company of your newfound mercenary. After that, you’ll have to give them up to a player of your choice! So, if you roll a “2,” that means you’ll have two rounds of hired help before you have to hand them off. Use that time wisely![/p][p][/p][p]Hirelings favor the underdogs of the Woodland. See how the pips on the control die are red and gold? The leading player only counts the gold pips, while other players count all of them. This means that you’ll generally control Hirelings for less time if you’re in the lead![/p][p][/p][h2]Setting Up a Game with Hirelings[/h2][p] [/p][p]Whether online or offline, you can include Hirelings (and Landmarks) in your games of Root Digital by toggling the “Advanced Setup” option. Here are some additional details:[/p]

• [p]Hirelings and their Parent Factions Cannot Share the Same Game: If a player chooses the Eyrie Dynasties as their faction, then the Eyrie’s associated Hireling (the Last Dynasty) cannot be included in the game, and vice versa.
  [/p]
• [p]Hirelings are Randomly Chosen From a Lot of Your Choosing: You can cross out the Hirelings you don’t want to include, and the game will randomly draw from the remaining lot. That means, if you want to play with three specific Hirelings, simply turn off all the others. This also applies to Landmarks![/p]

[h2]Hirelings & Landmarks is Coming Soon to Root Digital![/h2][p]Hirelings bring a fresh dose of variance and player interaction to your games of Root Digital, adding excitement without steep learning curves, and making every match feel fresh with brand new twists. Between the countless ways you can mix factions and Hirelings, endless replayability awaits![/p][p]Hirelings & Landmarks is coming to Root Digital on Steam on October 20th, with mobile and Nintendo Switch releases to follow thereafter. In our next preview, we’ll be taking a closer look at the Hirelings themselves and their many abilities. Join us on Bluesky, Facebook, or Discord to stay updated![/p][p][/p][p]And last but not least, be sure to Wishlist the new expansion today![/p][p][/p][p] [/p]