Who goes first in Iwari?
ThunderGryph English retail rules, ©2022
Whoever traveled most recently takes the first turn.
Rule details
Give that player the Totem Connection Scoring Marker, which also serves as the first-player token. Turns proceed clockwise.
An optional setup rule for later games starts the initial hand draft with the last player. It does not change who takes the first gameplay turn.
With two players, each person also plays for a shared third tribe after their own action; this does not replace the starting-player criterion.
Source & edition
- Iwari: ThunderGryph Games rulesThunderGryph Games · Setup step 5 and optional initial hand draft; Gameplay; two-player additional rules; credits; PDF pages 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Image: © ThunderGryph Games and any cover-art licensors or artists (precise ownership not stated in the rulebook) · ThunderGryph Games
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
TrainsThe player who most recently traveled by train starts.
Expeditions: Around the WorldThe player who most recently traveled abroad goes first.
Forbidden SkyThe person who most recently traveled by air starts.
Loose CabooseThe person who most recently traveled by train starts.
MoroccoThe player who most recently traveled to Morocco starts and takes the start-player marker.
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