Lizard Cult

The zealous reptiles converting the woodland through gardens and conspiracies

Expert

Riverfolk

Adaptive Control

Conspiracy Management

Area Control

Complexity

5/5

🎯 Win Condition

Score 30 points by performing rituals in Daylight and scoring from Gardens tracks

⚙️ Crafting Method

Craft during Evening by activating gardens whose printed suit matches the Outcast suit

🎲 Starting Position

4 warriors and 1 garden in corner clearing (not another player's corner, diagonally opposite if possible), then 1 warrior in each adjacent clearing

Overview

The Lizard Cult spreads gardens throughout the woodland and uses a unique conspiracy mechanic to gain powerful abilities. They score by revealing conspiracies and performing their associated actions. Managing their outcast suit and garden placement is critical to success.

Faction Board

🎓 Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Lizard Cult Walkthrough

Setup & Early Game

Establish two pairs of Gardens in double-slot clearings. Choose starting clearing matching your hand. Use starting acolytes to convert enemy warriors in your second target clearing. Complete second pair of Gardens by Turn 2. Build second Garden in starting clearing, score a card matching that suit, then build Garden with defenders in second two-slot clearing.

•Ideal starting hand: Two cards of same suit + one card matching second target

•Advanced Setup highly recommended for better position and 2 starting acolytes

•Choose starting Outcast suit you can use effectively

The Golden Rule - Always Be Scoring

Achieve 4 VP per turn consistently from two pairs of Gardens. Score ritual is your primary VP engine, not sanctifying. This keeps you competitive while minimizing board liabilities. Score 2 VP from each pair of Gardens every turn and support consistent scoring with all other actions.

•Gardens are precious - don't overextend with sanctifying

•Every other action should support scoring or disrupt opponents

•4 VP per turn is the pace that wins games

Dominance Swapping Mastery

Eliminate RNG dependence by exchanging bird cards for suited dominance cards from discard. This advanced technique makes Lizards competitive by providing reusable cards for rituals. Always reclaim dominance cards even if not needed immediately. Control Outcast by putting suited cards into Lost Souls.

•Dominance cards are reusable every turn for scoring

•Guard dominance cards - losing access cripples your engine

•Prevents opponents from denying them to you

Mid-Game Engine Management

Maintain 4+ VP per turn while managing limited agency. You can't directly manipulate Outcast or attack without Outcast matching your needs. Keep at least 3 warriors per Garden for defense, use conspiracies when Outcast aligns, and use Acolytes strategically for converting/sanctifying.

•Don't overcommit to sanctifying - it's a trap

•Card draw from Gardens keeps hand full

•Limited agency: work with what Outcast gives you

Late Game Dominance

Accelerate to victory with defended Gardens and scoring lead. If you've scored consistently all game, you should be leading the table. Continue 4+ VP per turn, defend Gardens with multitudes of warriors, and convert enemy warriors for defense and offense.

•Each Garden destroyed gives cards, but prevention is better

•Victory comes from steady scoring, not flashy plays

•Opponents struggle to catch up to consistent scoring

💡 Tip: Hover over highlighted game terms to see detailed explanations and related mechanics.

Mechanics & Strategy

Unique Mechanics

Special abilities and rules that define this faction

Outcast Suit

Suit with most cards in Lost Souls pile becomes Outcast (flips to Hated if already Outcast). Lizards can ONLY perform conspiracies in Outcast clearings. Cycle by discarding cards to Lost Souls.

Law of Root 10.2.1

Gardens

Lizards rule ANY clearing where they have ANY gardens (overrides Eyrie Lords of the Forest). Score VP by revealing cards matching gardens. Gardens enable crafting when matching Outcast suit.

Law of Root 10.2.2

Conspiracies

Actions performed in Birdsong by spending acolytes in Outcast clearings: Crusade (battle/move), Convert (replace enemy warrior), Sanctify (replace enemy building with garden). Cost 1 less if Outcast is Hated.

Law of Root 10.2.3

Acolytes

Warriors removed while defending go to Acolytes box instead of supply. Spend acolytes to perform conspiracies in Birdsong. Gain more via Sacrifice ritual (reveal bird card).

Law of Root 10.2.4

Lost Souls Pile

All spent/discarded cards (even dominance) go to Lost Souls pile instead of discard. Determines Outcast suit. Can be inspected by any player anytime.

Law of Root 10.2.5

Hatred of Birds

Bird cards are NOT wild for Lizard rituals. Must reveal bird cards specifically for Sacrifice ritual.

Law of Root 10.2.6

Fear of the Faithful

Whenever a garden is removed, Lizards must discard a random card.

Law of Root 10.2.7

Turn Order

Actions available in each phase

Early Game

Establish 2-3 gardens
Build Lost Souls pile to 5-6 cards
Set up first conspiracy
Manage outcast suit carefully

Mid Game

Maximize garden count (4-5 total)
Reveal conspiracies for big VP turns
Control multiple clearings
Build card economy from gardens

Late Game

Score 3-5 VP per turn from gardens
Reveal remaining conspiracies
Maintain garden network
Control key clearings

Strengths & Weaknesses

💪 Strengths

+Gardens rule when tied
+Conspiracies provide explosive turns
+Can adapt to any situation
+Strong late-game scoring
+Difficult to predict
+Acolytes return when removed

⚠️ Weaknesses

-Highest complexity faction in game
-Outcast suit severely restricts placement
-Slow start with limited actions
-Predictable once conspiracy revealed
-Vulnerable to garden removal
-Difficult to establish early presence

🤝 Synergies

• Benefits from ignored corners of map
• Works well when opponents focus elsewhere

🛡️ Hard Counters

• Factions controlling outcast suit clearings
• Vagabond (can strike gardens easily)
• Heavy military pressure in mid-game

🎬 Video Guides

Watch & Learn (2 videos)

Expert tutorials to master Lizard Cult

Contents