From the source rules

Who goes first in John Company: Second Edition?

Wehrlegig Second Edition · second printing, 2023 (English)

John Company: Second Edition official game box cover

On the first game turn, skip the London Season and begin with the Family phase. The player holding the Chairman title takes the first Family action, then players continue clockwise.

Rule details

Choose a scenario and use its setup cards to assign the initial offices. The optional Draft Variant lets players select one setup card and pass the remaining cards left, repeating until all cards are chosen.

This answer covers multiplayer play without the Crown. Solo and two-player play has additional setup and AI rules, including a separate Crown Handbook.

The Chairman start described here governs the Family action step. Later phases use their own office and role procedures.

Source & edition

  • John Company: Second Edition, Rules of Play, Second Printing (2023)Wehrlegig Games · II. Family / Family Action (page 13); Sequence of Play and first-turn London Season exception (pages 10-11); scenario, office setup and Draft Variant (pages 4-5); Crown scope and setup (pages 2, 43-44); Second Printing 2023 imprint (page 48) · Checked 2026-09-26Printed page references: 13, 10, 11, 4, 5, 2, 43, 44, 48Cited PDF pages: 13, 10, 11, 4, 5, 2, 43, 44, 48

Image: © Wehrlegig Games and any cover-art licensors or artists (precise ownership not stated on product page) · Wehrlegig Games

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