Episode 72 - Season 3 Finale - The crew closes out the season with a look at an overlooked or underknown strategy for each of the factions. Special thanks to the WWMies on the Good Time Society Discord for the crowdsourced ideas! Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft of the cutest strategic warfare game ever! Support the show and hear bonus ...
Jun 02, 2023•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 76
Episode 71 - Not the Lost City - Rounding out the components contribution for Root (at Episode 71!), the crew opens up the Landmark Pack and discusses the many tricks and trade-offs to The Legendary Forge, Black Market, Tower, Ferry, and everyone’s favorite - The Elder Treetop. Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft of the cutest strategic wa...
May 19, 2023•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 75
Episode 70 - Three Cheersley for Joshua Yearsley - Leder Games' Editor and Game Developer Joshua Yearsley joins the crew for an intricate interview on the rules, design, and origins of Root! Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft of the cutest strategic warfare game ever! Support the show and hear bonus ROOTPARDY (and “Well, Technically”) con...
May 11, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 74
Episode 69 - Nice - So your friends have a DIFFERENT idea of a good time. Whether their pro-gamers, casual players, or new to the whole hobby, people usually need a nice introduction to Root in order to fall in love. The crew mulls over the methods to help gamers find the fun in an aggressively asymmetric wargame. Later on they interview a dear friend of the pod, Rachel Rosenthal, on her first, and recent, impressions of Root. Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awe...
May 04, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 73
Episode 68 - Hydrophiles and Know-It-Alls - With the Winter Tournament ending soon and eventual Root Con 2023 Tournament on the horizon, the crew explores the best-practices of preparation for competitive root. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, being prepared for the game, the players, and yourself, leads to your best shot at the crown. Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as t...
Apr 27, 2023•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 72
Episode 67 - Mythbustin’ Makes Me Feel Good - The crew caps off the scientific survey of Root Myths with a look at the more subjective side of the Woodland Rumors - Is 5-Player the Future?, Does Losing A Bird Card in the Retinue ALWAYS suck? Tune in and find out! Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft of the cutest strategic warfare game ever...
Apr 21, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 71
Episode 66 - Hireling World Cup Final - The crew closes the Hireling Hierarchy with a look at the four finalist pairings and their game-bending abilities. Who will win? Who will lose? What do they even get as a reward? All will be revealed! Also, the team talks tourneys with a recap of just SOME of the recent Winter Tournament Games. Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they expl...
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 70
Episode 65 - Myths Tested - The Crew puts the common (and uncommon) Root-beliefs to the test! Relying mostly on anecdotal info, they break and bolster the metas and the hot takes of the Woodland! [Note: No episode next Thursday, 3/30 - we'll return on 4/6] Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft of the cutest strategic warfare game ever! Suppo...
Mar 24, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 69
Episode 64 - Promoted Marauders - Round One of the Hirelings World Cup closes with a review of the three big bois of the Marauders expansion - The Vault Keepers, Bearer Warriors, and the Popular Band! Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft of the cutest strategic warfare game ever! Support the show and hear bonus ROOTPARDY (and “Well, Technic...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 68
ROOT CON IS HAPPENING! August 19-20th - Portland, Oregon - Guardian Games Tickets ON SALE NOW Customers Outside US and Canada please contact samuel.deroest@clourke.com -LARGEST IN-PERSON ROOT TOURNEY EVER -LIVE RECORDING OF WOODLAND WAR MACHINE -PRIZES AND RAFFLES -COLE IS GONNA BE THERE -JOSH IS GONNA BE THERE -ADDITIONAL SPECIAL GUESTS -ROOT RPG TABLES -PROBABLY ROOTPARDY LIVE (I HAVENT ASKED SAM YET) -AND MORE! -Additional information will be released in the coming weeks - join the Discord or...
Mar 10, 2023•4 min•Ep. 67
Episode 63 - Demoted Marauders - The penultimate review of the first stage of the Hireling World Cup! The Crew battles, then delves, into the intricacies of the Badger Bodyguards, Rat Smugglers, and the Street Band. Stay tuned on the podcast feed for a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft of the cutest strategic warfar...
Mar 09, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 66
Episode 62 - Woodland Beer Machine - Draughts and Drafts continues with an even-sillier version of the ADVANCED SETUP SCENARIOS. The crew analyzes their way through three different drafts, including a potential opening for…Builder Jim! Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft of the cutest strategic warfare game ever! Support the show and hear ...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 65
Episode 61 - Underground Overloards - Three new promoted contenders enter the Hireling World Cup: Sunward Expedition, Corvid Spies, and Furious Protector - hamburgers, card stealers, and a beheader! Additionally, the crew breaks down Kyle’s Winter Tourney game along with the second round of games. Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft of the...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 64
Episode 60 - Underground Underlings - Three new demoted contenders enter the Hireling World Cup: The Mole Artisans, Raven Sentries, and Stoic Protector - all of whom upend the game in exciting and underhanded ways. Additionally, the crew breaks down Sam’s Winter Tourney game along with the first round so far! Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and trade...
Feb 09, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 63
Episode 59 - Weird Root Gets Real - Friend of the pod slugfacekillah joins the crew for a deep dive into his fanmade addition to the Root world - The Outsiders Expansion! This collection of FREE fanmade content features six new factions, a vagabond variant, a double-sided map board including varying modes of play and an all-new deck of cards! Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as ...
Feb 02, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 62
Episode 58 - Tortillas, Grunge Bands, and Path Punks - The Hireling World Cup continues with possibly the most dynamic Promoted sides of the whole game. The crew explores the bonkers abilities AND the insanely-grabbable meeples of the Riverfolk Hirelings, and give the WMMies a chance to participate in…democracy! Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tr...
Jan 26, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 61
Episode 57 - The Riverfolk Rascals - The Hireling World Cup enters into the expansion content, featuring an examination of the Otter Divers, Lizard Envoys, and Bandit Gangs. The crew also delves into the dynamics of the Root Community game and the Hirelings’ place in the Woodland. Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft of the cutest strategic...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 60
Episode 56 - “All I Want for Rootmas” - Before heading home for winter break, the crew settles down with a warm cup of Root Tea and cozy pair of boots to have an imaginative chat. What would the NEXT Root Expansion look like? New factions, maps, cards (DECKS?!), hirelings, mechanics, landmarks, and more! Join the boys for an adventurous romp through the land of possibilities. Happy Holidays! WWM Will Return in January 2023 Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome...
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 59
Episode 55 - The First Four Promoted - The Tournament CONTINUES with the dominant side of the first four Hirelings: Forest Patrol, Last Dynasty, Spring Uprising, and The Exile. Along with their demoted side, only one pairing can advance to the next round of the Hireling Tourney! Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft of the cutest strategic w...
Dec 15, 2022•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 58
Episode 54 - The First Four Demoted - Along with the expansive scope of the Landmarks, the Marauders Expansion brings a bunch of bonus MINI-FACTIONS to the table. The crew breaks down the first four Hirelings and all their interesting interactions - Join us for a deep dive on the Feline Physicians, The Bluebird Nobles, Rabbit Scouts, and The Brigand! Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Ach...
Dec 08, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 57
Episode 53 - The Wildest Landmark - Now that The Marauder Expansion has shipped to all backers (congrats, International Space Station!), it’s time to explore the many landmarks and hirelings of Root. And what better place to start than the most infamous of Landmarks - The Lost City! Fresh off its debut in the Root Winter Tournament, this multi-suited metropolis brings a whole bevy of shenanigans to the Woodland. Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric...
Dec 01, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 56
Episode 52 - Waterman’s Proposal - Kyle lays out his plan for implementing a time-based mechanic into competitive root. This pressure-inducing element is a standard fixture in competitive games, including professional sports - the crew ruminates on the possibilities and procedures of introducing a big ol’ clock into the woodland. Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore ...
Nov 18, 2022•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 55
Episode 51 - Despite All His Rage - Welcome to the END of the VS Guides (for now)! The crew closes out the definitive Decalogy with a defensive delve into the Lord of the Hundreds - What to craft, why you’re crafting it, and I can’t believe you’re still crafting. Seriously. Stop. Stop Crafting. Ok, well now I gotta craft. How else am I going to keep up in points? Don’t look at me like that. Don’t. Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: RO...
Nov 10, 2022•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 54
Episode 50 - We Made it! - Break out the Champagne! The crew celebrates their 50th episode by not preparing an outline! Instead, they’re reclining the desk chairs and opening the mailbag for a LISTENER QUESTION EXTRAVAGANZA. Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft of the cutest strategic warfare game ever! Support the show and hear bonus ROOTP...
Nov 03, 2022•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 53
Episode 49 - Badgers? More like Sadgers - The versus guide returns with an analytical arsenal of options for facing off against the fearsome Keepers in Iron. While “punch ‘em” still reigns supreme, the crew explores a variety of dynamics including waystation targeting, shade-sharing, and the classic “just get in their way” Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tac...
Oct 27, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 52
Episode #48 - Call it a Comeback - Season 3 opens with a return to form…about returning to form! How does one COME BACK from “certain” defeat in a game of Root? The crew explores the many possibilities, both unseen and unforeseeable, along with Sam’s “Five Stages of Grift”. Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft of the cutest strategic warfar...
Oct 20, 2022•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 51
Episode 47 - Season 2 Finale - The crew closes out Season 2 with a bit of behavioral analysis - what effects do emotions have on the game of Root? Anger, Frustration, and even Elation can play a big role in your decision-making. After exploring the causes, the signs, and the tactics of tackling tilt at the table, the boys also have some summer assignments for all WMMies: Root Homework! Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jak...
Jun 09, 2022•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 50
Episode 46 - Can You Take Me Higherling - The Marauder Expansion brings big changes to Root with the introduction of two new major mechanics: the landmarks and the dual-sided hirelings. These fancy additions to the game shake up the meta in dramatic ways, but more importantly, change the calculous of potential scoring rhythms. Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the...
May 26, 2022•2 hr 13 min•Ep. 49
Episode 45 - Hot Bot on Bot Action - The crew sits down with noted Woodland Horologist Kyle Frost of GIVEPAUSE Hobby to explore the mechanics and antics of the Root Bots! These automated components of Root open the game for smaller player counts, interactive puzzles, and even unlock a cooperative mode! Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRoest, and Kyle Acheson as they explore the tactics and tradecraft o...
May 19, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 48
Episode 44 - The Lord of the Hundreds - The “final” Faction Strategy Guide focuses on that other murderous marauder; The Lord of the Hundreds. Though less of a puzzle than their expansion companion, players need to play close attention to timings and restrictions of the Hundreds’ moods and actions in order to turn their Warlord into a Cardboard-Seeking Shark Missile. Woodland War Machine: the podcast covering Leder Games' amazingly awesome asymmetric board game: ROOT! Join Jake Michels, Sam DeRo...
May 12, 2022•2 hr 14 min•Ep. 47
