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!
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!
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.
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?
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!
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?
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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:
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.
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!
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!
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!
And last but not least, be sure to Wishlist the new expansion today!