Who goes first in Federation?
Eagle-Gryphon English public rulebook, Explor8 ©2022, linked from the Deluxe edition

Agree on a method for choosing the starter. Give the chosen player the President of the Senate pawn; they begin the Ambassador phase.
Rule details
Before play, players choose Starting tiles counterclockwise, beginning with the person to the starter’s right. This is a setup draft, separate from the clockwise Ambassador turns.
The President’s Office action can change who starts the next round.
Source & edition
- Federation: Eagle-Gryphon Games rulesEagle-Gryphon Games · How to Play / Ambassador Phase; President’s Office; credits; PDF pages 7, 20, 32 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 7, 20, 32Cited PDF pages: 7, 20, 32
Image: © Explor8 / 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
GentesPlayers choose a starting player by any method they like, then give that player the Starting Player token.
VikingsPlayers choose a start player; the rules give no selection method.
Eldritch HorrorPlayers agree on one player to receive the Lead Investigator token. If they cannot decide, give it to a random player, for example by rolling a die.
Puerto RicoThe players choose a starting player by any method they like. That player takes the governor placard and a small indigo tile.
ZoolorettoThe players agree on who starts.
Free game-night tools: score keeper · turn timer · dice roller · all tools
Found a different instruction in your edition? Send a correction with the game, edition, and source.