Who goes first in Escape Plan?
Eagle-Gryphon English 2022 Preview rules, ©2018/2022
The rulebook names whoever most recently robbed a bank as the initial starter. That player leads the opening City-tile placement; the order reverses before the first Player Action phase.
Rule details
Setup records the initial order clockwise from that player.
The Turn Order phase ranks players by Notoriety, with ties reversing the tied players’ existing order. Everyone is initially tied, so the first day’s action order is the reverse of the setup order.
In the two-player setup, Sandra occupies the third initial position on the turn-order track.
Our interpretation
The bank-robbery line is the rulebook’s thematic starting criterion. The inspected passage supplies no substitute for a group to which it does not apply; an agreed random choice below is a house rule.
Source & edition
- Escape Plan: Eagle-Gryphon Games rulesEagle-Gryphon Games · Player Setup step M; phase sequence; City phase; Turn Order phase; credits; PDF pages 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 2, 5, 6, 7, 8Cited PDF pages: 2, 5, 6, 7, 8
Image: © Eagle-Gryphon Games and any cover-art licensors or artists (precise ownership not stated on product page) · Eagle-Gryphon Games
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
ViennaWhoever was most recently in Vienna takes the city crest and is first player; the rulebook also allows whoever was closest to Vienna.
QEWhoever visited a bank most recently is the first auctioneer and takes the First Auctioneer Token.
Tiny Epic VikingsThe player who most recently set foot on an island takes the first action turn.
Forum TrajanumWhoever most recently visited a city center is the starting player.
Lords of WaterdeepThe player who most recently visited another city goes first and receives the First Player marker.
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