Root Battle Rules: Dice, Ambushes, Hits & Defenseless Pieces
Root battles use two dice, but the attacker normally gets the higher roll and the defender gets the lower roll. Faction abilities and cards can modify this structure.
Where can you battle?
You can initiate a battle in a clearing where you have a warrior or another piece that your faction rules allow to battle. Choose one enemy faction in that clearing as the defender.
Step 1: the defender may Ambush
The defender may play an Ambush card matching the clearing. The attacker may cancel it with a matching Ambush card of their own. If not canceled, resolve the Ambush before rolling.
Step 2: roll both dice
Roll the two battle dice. The attacker deals hits equal to the higher result; the defender deals hits equal to the lower result.
Maximum rolled hits
Your rolled hits cannot exceed the number of your warriors in the clearing. Extra hits from faction abilities, cards or the defenseless rule are handled separately.
Defenseless bonus hit
If the defender has no warriors in the clearing, the attacker deals one extra hit. This makes exposed buildings and tokens easier to remove.
Step 3: remove pieces
Hits are resolved simultaneously. Remove warriors first. Once a player has no warriors remaining there, that player chooses which of their buildings or tokens are removed by additional hits.
Victory points for cardboard
Whenever you remove an enemy building or token, score 1 victory point unless a specific rule says otherwise.
Related Root guides
Official source
Rules checked September 2026.