From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in Ark Nova?
Capstone Games English rulebook, 2021

Randomly determine a start player. Turn order is clockwise.
Rule details
Appeal counters start by turn order: the start player on space 0, the second player on 1, the third on 2 and the fourth on 3.
The solo game uses its own setup and turn tracking.
Source & edition
- Ark Nova: English rulebookCapstone Games / Feuerland Spiele · Page 5, Setup step 7 and player setup C1; solo rules and copyright on page 20 · Checked 2026-09-25Printed page references: 5, 20
Image: © Capstone Games / Feuerland Spiele and any separately credited cover artist · Capstone Games
If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say. If you need a tie-break, pick a player at random.
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