Who goes first in Dominant Species?
GMT English base game

The animal furthest left on the Initiative track makes the first action-pawn placement. Set the initial track in reverse Food Chain order: insects, arachnids, amphibians, birds, reptiles, then mammals, using only the animals in play.
Rule details
Planning proceeds from left to right along the Initiative track. Action resolution later follows the action display from top to bottom and left to right.
Source & edition
- Dominant Species: English rulebookGMT Games · Food chain; Game setup: Animals and Begin play; Planning phase · Checked 2026-09-26Printed page references: 3, 4, 9
Image: © GMT Games and any credited cover artist · GMT 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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Free game-night tools: score keeper · turn timer · dice roller · all tools
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