Fortunately for me the production side of things didn't affect me because my policy with kickstarters is to deliberately forget about them once the money goes out. It takes as long as it takes. When it's ready it shows up in the mail.
I got to say, it's impressive how far this channel has come; concise and precise explanations told in a brisk yet clear voice. On top of that, the analysis is nuanced and thoughtful with a nice variety of table-top RPGs (particularly smaller ones) receiving some well deserved attention. I also appreciate the amount of effort that goes into visual presentation.
I read through Root RPG and I do want to run it, but man it is overwritten. I don’t think it’s a turn off, but it can be overwhelming. But I think handouts can really help with the triggers for specific moves.
As a GM, I’ve done the same. I do have both books at the table in case we need anything specific but I just use the Root GM screen and my players have the play test moves printed. We love the game.
Root, the game I love and hate at the same time. Great game, but I definitely need to make my own cheat sheet if I run it again. Critical rules are spread all over the place in random places buried deep inside walls of useless text.
Thanks for this info. I def won’t buy this product for that reason. Same reason I don’t buy WoTC products. They trying to fill pages and i get tired of blacking out the majority of the books to run them sanely.
Now that I have had a chance to GM some PBTA games like MotW and read Absurdia By Quinn Majeski, I think I may be ready to read this one. My worry is that I will love playing in this world and that it will have the great gaming experience, but the same short advancement system that plague PBTA games. It seems I finally get players deeply invested the game world only to have to tell them we have to bend/break the rules or go to another system, that does not have the same moves/game feel, just so they can continue to play and advance their characters.
I need to try Root myself and Dave raises some very valid points here, particularly for those that might be new to this style of story game. Definitely having 3 separate but very similar Moves sounds like overkill. As I was listening to the rundown, though, it did make me think that often a GM should try and "follow from the fiction" and though it's not always clear to me how to put that into practice, it does seem like if your group glides on by without making a roll, is that always necessarily a bad thing?
I love PbtA games, and Root was a pleasant surprise. Great game! But you are right regarding the too-many moves issue that's endemic in PbtA games 12:31 In a way, it reminds me of the issue D&D 3e had: you felt like you needed a skill or rule for everything and anything. The PbtA core mechanics are enough to make wonderful games without the need to have to use dozens of moves, plus dozens and dozens of custom moves people tend to write.
@@filipepassos-coelho6661 mouseguard is somewhat complex. Ryuutama is a good choice because it’s non-violent and easy. Wanderhome seems simple but actually requires a lot of storytelling skills from everyone to really work well.
@@DaveThaumavore thank you, really appreciate you taking the time to share your insight. your videos got me to step away from 5E and GM different systems (so far, Heart: TCB and Cypher. Going to try Shadow of the DemonLord, Symbaroum, and Coriolis next)
It's hilarious to me that someone would make an RPG where you play furry & feathery animals & then saddle it with a hardcore political backstory more complicated than the Star Wars prequels.
Roots has the added bonus of allowing people to enjoy a fantasy based PbtA game like dungeon world, but at the same time not have to feel hesitant about giving money for a product with such a controversial history cocerning one of its creators.
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Fortunately for me the production side of things didn't affect me because my policy with kickstarters is to deliberately forget about them once the money goes out. It takes as long as it takes. When it's ready it shows up in the mail.
I got to say, it's impressive how far this channel has come; concise and precise explanations told in a brisk yet clear voice. On top of that, the analysis is nuanced and thoughtful with a nice variety of table-top RPGs (particularly smaller ones) receiving some well deserved attention. I also appreciate the amount of effort that goes into visual presentation.
Thanks for saying so. I’ve definitely tried to improve the content over time.
I read through Root RPG and I do want to run it, but man it is overwritten. I don’t think it’s a turn off, but it can be overwhelming. But I think handouts can really help with the triggers for specific moves.
My buddy printed out the playtest materials to run it, and the leanness of that approach made for a much pacier game.
As a GM, I’ve done the same. I do have both books at the table in case we need anything specific but I just use the Root GM screen and my players have the play test moves printed. We love the game.
Sounds very reminiscent of Mossflower/Redwall.
3:00 "Silverwing" homebrew: The bats were a faction that took no side, and consequently were forbidden from ever glimpsing the sun again.
I also kinda played around with a bat faction, but they're very much inspired by Spanish conquistadors.
Root, the game I love and hate at the same time. Great game, but I definitely need to make my own cheat sheet if I run it again. Critical rules are spread all over the place in random places buried deep inside walls of useless text.
Sounds like the board game it's based on.
Yeah I’m prepping to run this as a one shot right now and I really wish I took notes the first time I did a read through
Thanks for this info. I def won’t buy this product for that reason. Same reason I don’t buy WoTC products. They trying to fill pages and i get tired of blacking out the majority of the books to run them sanely.
Got my coffee let's do this
This sounds so cool. I don't know what rock I was visiting when this video came out, but I'm glad I found it now.
Now that I have had a chance to GM some PBTA games like MotW and read Absurdia By Quinn Majeski, I think I may be ready to read this one. My worry is that I will love playing in this world and that it will have the great gaming experience, but the same short advancement system that plague PBTA games. It seems I finally get players deeply invested the game world only to have to tell them we have to bend/break the rules or go to another system, that does not have the same moves/game feel, just so they can continue to play and advance their characters.
I *LOVE* Root the RPG.
I need to try Root myself and Dave raises some very valid points here, particularly for those that might be new to this style of story game. Definitely having 3 separate but very similar Moves sounds like overkill.
As I was listening to the rundown, though, it did make me think that often a GM should try and "follow from the fiction" and though it's not always clear to me how to put that into practice, it does seem like if your group glides on by without making a roll, is that always necessarily a bad thing?
Great review!
Humblewood with less D&D specificity? Armello on tabletop instead of computer? Seems like this is a popular trend lately.
been waiting for this one!
I love PbtA games, and Root was a pleasant surprise. Great game! But you are right regarding the too-many moves issue that's endemic in PbtA games 12:31
In a way, it reminds me of the issue D&D 3e had: you felt like you needed a skill or rule for everything and anything. The PbtA core mechanics are enough to make wonderful games without the need to have to use dozens of moves, plus dozens and dozens of custom moves people tend to write.
Another great video as alwasy!
lets goo finally a mouse guard ttrrpg
The way the map gets affect is great
Hi Dave, would you say this game is a good choice to introduce children (7 years old and up) to TTRPGs? love your videos.
Thanks! I wouldn’t say this is a great choice for younger kids due to its complexity. You might want to look up Mausritter.
@@DaveThaumavore cheers, thanks for the reply. WOuld Mouseguard, Ryuutama or Wanderhome be more applicable as well?
@@filipepassos-coelho6661 mouseguard is somewhat complex. Ryuutama is a good choice because it’s non-violent and easy. Wanderhome seems simple but actually requires a lot of storytelling skills from everyone to really work well.
@@DaveThaumavore thank you, really appreciate you taking the time to share your insight. your videos got me to step away from 5E and GM different systems (so far, Heart: TCB and Cypher. Going to try Shadow of the DemonLord, Symbaroum, and Coriolis next)
Cool review. Do you have a favorite pbta game?
Hii, Is the Root board game different to the Root RPG core book? In thus case do i have to buy Root campaigns? Similar to DND?
@@stellas.geography the RPG is a standalone game. You just need the one book.
@DaveThaumavore oh awesome thank you !
I'd love your take the the Goblin slayer ttrpg. It is surprisingly inexpensive for such a hearty tome. And, I believe it is a one stop shop book.
Root means something different down here in New Zealand.
Had to look it up. Indeed!
@@DaveThaumavore If I told my wife we could RPG Root she might actually agree until she found out there were dice involved.
@@briansmaller7443 and vicious little woodland creatures.
@@DaveThaumavore Sounds perfect for me as a stoat roleplayer.
It's hilarious to me that someone would make an RPG where you play furry & feathery animals & then saddle it with a hardcore political backstory more complicated than the Star Wars prequels.
just like making a boardgame with a lot of cute art to attract casual players and then having it be a heavy wargame that is very much not casual.
Awesome!
There’s no fucking way they turned it into an rpg
Certainly! And it's awesome.
Roots has the added bonus of allowing people to enjoy a fantasy based PbtA game like dungeon world, but at the same time not have to feel hesitant about giving money for a product with such a controversial history cocerning one of its creators.
Yeah, but the Mein Kampf TRPG has such good mechanics
Get over it.
Lol ya who cares . If you can't separate the art and the artist that's a you problem
What's up with it's creator? It's my first time hearing of it
@@danielcarrasco5251Creator ran a game where one of the PCs got r*ped