Head to head
Element or Root
To help you decide
Why you'd pick each one
Element
- Less well known, if you want something off the beaten track.
- Easier to teach and to get to the table: 2.0 vs 3.8 in weight.
- Plays in 30 minutes against 75.
- Works with younger players: 9+ against 14+.
Root
- Better rated on BoardGameGeek: 8.1 vs 6.7.
- Far more played: 66,038 ratings against 43.
- Meatier, if you want something to chew on.
- Fills a long session, if you have the whole evening.
- Handles up to 4 players.
- Brings hand management and multi-use cards, which the other one doesn't have.
The numbers, side by side
| Data point | Element | Root |
|---|---|---|
| BGG rating | 6.7 | 8.1 Better rated |
| Ratings | 43 | 66,038 |
| Players | 2 | 2–4 |
| Playing time | 30 min | 60–90 min |
| Complexity | 2.0 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Age | 9+ | 14+ |
| Year | 2008 | 2018 |
Only the rating gets a winner mark. A shorter or lighter game isn't a better one: it depends on what you're after.
Ratings and catalogue data are attributed to BoardGameGeek.