Root: The Rogue’s Gallery – Understanding Vagabond Hostility
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The Vagabond in Root is a unique and multifaceted character, often described as a “one-person faction.” While typically a free agent, exploring the woodland and forging alliances (or rivalries), the Vagabond can become Hostile. So, how does it happen? The key is this: The Vagabond becomes Hostile by removing a warrior of a non-Hostile faction. When this occurs, that faction’s relationship marker immediately moves to the Hostile box, making them Hostile towards the Vagabond. This act instantly impacts the game, potentially changing alliances, movement options, and scoring opportunities.
Let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of Vagabond Hostility and explore some common questions.
Understanding Vagabond Hostility in Detail
The Core Mechanic: Removing Warriors
The trigger for Hostility is direct and unforgiving. If the Vagabond is involved in a battle where they cause the removal of a warrior belonging to a faction that isn’t already hostile, boom, that faction instantly becomes Hostile. It doesn’t matter why the warrior was removed; the simple act of the Vagabond’s involvement is enough.
Infamy Scoring: The Silver Lining
There is, however, a benefit to inciting ire. The Infamy rule states that whenever you remove a piece of a Hostile faction in battle during your turn, you score one victory point. Thus, while making enemies, the Vagabond can strategically leverage those rivalries for personal gain.
Beyond Battles: Other Actions and Hostility
It’s crucial to note that simply aiding a faction or moving through their territory doesn’t automatically trigger Hostility. The act must directly involve the removal of a warrior. For example, if the Vagabond aids the Eyrie and those warriors are then defeated, it is the attacking player that gains victory points.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Vagabond Hostility
1. Can the Vagabond slip into Hostile territory?
Yes! Slip, the ability to move into an adjacent clearing or forest without exhausting a boot, works even when moving into a Hostile clearing. Normally, moving into a hostile clearing costs an additional boot.
2. How do I get out of the ‘Hostile’ box with the Vagabond?
Unfortunately, getting a faction to move out of the ‘Hostile’ box is difficult for a single Vagabond. The primary method is to use a dominance card to form a coalition with the faction that is lowest on the VP track. This automatically shifts the Hostile faction back to Indifferent. The Vagabond by themself cannot change relationships except through dominance cards.
3. Can you aid a Hostile faction as the Vagabond?
Yes, but with limitations. You cannot move a relationship marker out of the Hostile box by using Aid. However, you can still Aid a Hostile faction by giving them cards to acquire crafted items from them.
4. Can the Vagabond enter the Keep, even if the Marquise de Cat is Hostile?
Yes, the Keep doesn’t restrict movement. The Keep prevents pieces from being placed in the keep clearing but has no effect on pieces moving into it. The Vagabond can waltz right in, even if the cats are fuming.
5. Can the Vagabond rule a clearing, potentially making others Hostile?
No. The Vagabond pawn is not considered a warrior, and therefore cannot rule a clearing. They can’t stop other players from ruling one either. The Vagabond is a roaming influence, not a territorial power.
6. Does triggering outrage with another faction make them Hostile?
Not directly. If the Vagabond moves warriors belonging to another faction, triggering Outrage, they bear the consequences (usually item damage), but it doesn’t automatically make the wronged faction Hostile. However, if the events that transpire due to the Vagabond’s movement ultimately leads to the removal of that factions warriors, then yes that faction will become Hostile.
7. How does dominance work with Hostile factions for the Vagabond?
Activating a dominance card allows the Vagabond to form a coalition with the player having the fewest points. If that faction happens to be Hostile, the act of forming the coalition immediately returns their relationship marker to the Indifferent space. Note that the coalition might still have to use their dominance card as planned.
8. Can the Vagabond buy from the Riverfolk Company if another faction is Hostile?
Yes. The Riverfolk Company operates on a “business is business” principle. The Vagabond can expend items to buy services from them, even if a Hostile faction is present. The Riverfolk are interested in profit, not grudges.
9. Can the Lord of the Hundreds loot items from a Hostile Vagabond?
No. The Lord of the Hundreds ability allows them to loot from a crafted item box; however, the Vagabond does not have a “Crafted Items Box”, therefore, there are no items they are able to loot.
10. Can the Vagabond aid a Hostile faction multiple times?
Yes. For each instance of Aid, the Vagabond must exhaust an item and give a card of the appropriate suit. There is no limit to how many times they can aid, even Hostile, factions (within item and card limitations).
11. What can the Vagabond do in the forest, potentially related to Hostility?
The Vagabond can move between forests without expending boots using their Slip ability. This provides strategic positioning for initiating conflict or avoiding it. Remember that you need boots to move from the forest to a clearing, so plan your path accordingly.
12. If the Marquise de Cat’s Keep is destroyed during a battle involving the Vagabond, does that automatically make them Hostile?
No. The destruction of the Keep itself doesn’t trigger Hostility. However, if the Vagabond is directly involved in removing Cat warriors during the battle where the Keep is destroyed, then the Marquise de Cat will become Hostile. The direct involvement is the key.
13. Does the Vagabond ever have to worry about becoming Hostile to everyone?
Yes! As the game progresses, and especially if the Vagabond is actively involved in removing warriors, it’s entirely possible to become Hostile with multiple, or even all, other factions. This can severely limit movement and scoring opportunities, forcing a change in strategy.
14. How does the Vagabond score points related to Hostility?
The Vagabond scores points when they remove a piece of a Hostile faction during a battle taking place during their turn. This is the Infamy rule. This encourages a more aggressive playstyle, turning rivalries into a source of victory points.
15. If the Vagabond is allied with a faction and that allied faction attacks another faction and removes warriors, and subsequently turns Hostile towards that faction, does that benefit or hinder the Vagabond?
It’s a mixed bag. The Vagabond is not directly accountable, so they don’t immediately become Hostile with the attacked faction. However, the new Hostility between the two other factions can impact the overall game state. If the Vagabond ends up in battles with the Hostile faction alongside their allied faction, they can capitalize on Infamy scoring. The strategic implications are complex and depend on the specific board situation.
Strategic Implications of Vagabond Hostility
The Vagabond’s ability to become Hostile is a double-edged sword. While it unlocks the Infamy scoring potential, it can also severely restrict movement, trading, and questing opportunities.
- Careful Warrior Removal: Players must carefully consider the consequences of removing warriors, weighing the immediate benefits against the long-term strategic impact. It may be better to help another faction defeat a hostile faction, gaining them victory points instead.
- Strategic Alliances: Forming and breaking alliances becomes a crucial element of gameplay. Using dominance cards to swing the relations in the game while maximizing victory points can make or break a Vagabond strategy.
- Capitalizing on Infamy: Once Hostile, the Vagabond needs to leverage that relationship to their advantage, actively seeking out battles to score Infamy points.
- Managing Reputation: Skilled Vagabond players must constantly assess their relationships with other factions, making calculated decisions about when to foster alliances and when to embrace conflict.
The Vagabond’s journey through Root is a delicate dance between diplomacy and aggression, and understanding the mechanics of Hostility is essential for mastering this unique and rewarding role. Remember to always consider your actions and their repercussions, and use Hostility strategically to carve your path to victory in the woodland. For more information on board game learning and community engagement, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.