From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in Cosmic Encounter?

Fantasy Flight Games English rulebook, 2018

In the players' first game, the youngest player is the first player. Otherwise, reveal cards from the destiny deck until one matches a player's color; that player is the first player. Then shuffle the destiny deck.

If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.

Rule details

Players take turns in clockwise order starting with the first player; on each turn the active player has an encounter.

If there’s a tie

The rulebook doesn’t say. If you need a tie-break, pick a player at random.

Source & edition

All 22 Fantasy Flight Games starting rules

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Games with a similar starting rule

  • Divinity DerbyThe player who most recently saw a flying creature takes the first-player token. The rules also allow the group to use the youngest player instead.
  • MagalonThe youngest player begins the first round's faceup magic-card selection, which continues clockwise. Everyone must select a different card value. Once all cards are chosen, the player with the highest value takes the first action turn, followed by the others in descending value order.
  • Minecraft: Builders & BiomesThe player who most recently found a diamond in Minecraft starts; when in doubt, the youngest player starts.
  • MonasteriumThe player who most recently visited a monastery starts; if no one has or no one remembers, the youngest player starts.
  • OrléansThe youngest player receives the Start Player Token and starts.
More starting rules about the youngest player

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