From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in Citadels?
Fantasy Flight English original edition
The oldest player receives the crown and is first to choose a character card.
Rule details
Choosing characters proceeds to the left. Actual character turns follow ascending rank, so the crown holder does not necessarily take the first character action.
In two- and three-player games, players choose two characters; the crown holder still makes the first choice.
Source & edition
- Citadels: English rulebookFantasy Flight Games · Setting Up the Basic Game; Choose Characters; Player Turns; Two- or Three-player Games · Checked 2026-09-26Printed page references: 4, 5, 8, 9
Image: © Fantasy Flight Games and any credited cover artist · Fantasy Flight Games
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
Related games and editions
Browse available game rules
Games with a similar starting rule
- StacktopusThe oldest player starts the game by flipping over the top card.
TsuroThe oldest player takes the first turn.- RicochetThe oldest player starts by placing the top card of the draw pile face up in the middle.
- Clue SuspectThe oldest player goes first.
TajutoThe oldest player goes first.
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