Who goes first in Dinosaur Island?
Pandasaurus English base game, Rulebook 2.0
Whoever most recently extracted DNA from an amber-trapped mosquito goes first. If nobody has done that, whoever most recently visited a theme park starts.
Rule details
Give the starter the First Player Token and arrange the opening turn order clockwise. That player rolls the DNA dice and takes the first research turn.
The theme-park criterion is the rulebook’s official fallback, not an extra rule invented by this site.
Later rounds use ascending victory-point order, starting with the lowest score. Players tied on points keep their relative order from the preceding round; this does not break a tie during initial setup.
This answer covers multiplayer setup in Rulebook 2.0. The same manual includes a separate solo mode.
Source & edition
- Dinosaur Island: Pandasaurus Games rulesPandasaurus Games · Main Game Setup step 9; How to Play and Research Phase; Cleanup Phase: Reset Turn Order; Solo Rules · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: cover, unnumbered setup page, 6, 15, 17Cited PDF pages: 1, 5, 6, 15, 17
Image: © Pandasaurus Games and credited cover artists · Asmodee USA
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
Related games and editions
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Games with a similar starting rule
Trekking the National Parks: Second EditionWhoever most recently visited a national park goes first.
KuZOOkAWhoever most recently visited a zoo goes first.
Minute RealmsWhoever most recently visited a castle is the first player.
Super ToothWhoever most recently visited a museum starts.
SagradaWhoever most recently visited Barcelona goes first.
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