We’re back with more details on what’s quickly becoming one of our favorite factions. The Roots might stand out in a crowd, but let’s be honest, you wouldn’t want to bump into them in a dark alley. They’re taking shape right before our eyes, as we build new maps and dig into playtesting. I won’t give an exact date yet, but suffice to say it's close.

This update is all about how Roots plays. We’ll explore some of their unique mechanics and give you a glimpse of new artwork and buildings taking root in their domain.
Before we get tangled in the details, don’t forget to wishlist Roots, the Tree Mother insists.

https://steamproxy.net/steamstore/app/3511790/Songs_of_Conquest__Roots/
All factions so far have a specialization when it comes to Essence. Arleon, for example, focuses on Order, Chaos, and Creation. Their Faey units lean into Chaos, while the Shield of Order units bring a strong focus on Order as their name implies. There is a clear theme, and although some troops can act as formidable essence batteries, the faction as a whole is limited to three types of Essence.

This is not the case for Roots.

Roots are connected to Essence, and despite the colour off-put, its the normal onesRoots are connected to Essence in a more natural way than any other faction. They do not limit themselves to three types. Instead, they wield all Essence types, drawing from the full spectrum of magic. But it is not just the range that sets them apart. The way they generate Essence is unique, too.

Let’s talk about Symbiosis.

All Root units are part of a greater whole. A hive mind, using whatever is available to carry out the will of the Tree Mothers and protect their domain. That mindset is mirrored on the battlefield.

Most Root units generate just a single Essence on their own. While there are exceptions, this holds true for many of them. As experienced players know, a single point of Essence will not carry you very far. But when a Root unit stands next to another one of your units, a Symbiosis is formed. Their Essence is shared.

Sharing is caring after all.At the start of a unit’s turn, it generates its own Essence and one additional Essence from a friendly adjacent unit. This effectively means each unit can produce two Essence if placed correctly. Battlefield positioning becomes vital if you want to stay ahead in the Essence game.

And since Roots have access to all types of Essence, the combinations are nearly endless. Our testers have already uncovered some very interesting setups, and we are excited to see what you will come up with once you get your hands on them. But there are drawbacks; placement is more important than ever, and rushing your enemy with a single unit can be fatal. And besides having your units bundled up can have drawbacks of its own.

We are confident that Roots offers something unique to the Songs of Conquest lineup, both in artwork and playstyle, and come to think of it, buildings too, like the Roots version of the marketplace:

Look at that Converter work, making something into something else.Our talented artists have truly outdone themselves. Roots is a faction that manages to be beautiful, revolting, and alien all at once. I would love to show you everything, but since much of our focus right now is on map work, I think a new screenshot will speak for itself. It captures the dark, vine-covered realm of the Tree Mothers and gives a glimpse of the world we are building.

Roots will grow indeed! Of course, there is much more to share. New abilities, plenty of jaw-dropping artwork, and fresh maps are all beginning to blossom. The amount of new art is truly staggering. But there will be more Steam posts before the release draws near. We also want to leave some surprises for you to discover when you take on the role of the Tree Mothers and help the Roots grow strong for the future.

Remember, Flesh will rot. Steel will rust. Roots will rise.

/Anders and the Lavapotion Team