Who goes first in The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game?
FFG English original core set
Choose a first player and give them the first-player token. If the group cannot decide, select the first player randomly.
Rule details
The first player gets the first opportunity to play cards during Planning, followed by the other players clockwise.
Pass the first-player token clockwise during the Refresh phase.
Source & edition
- The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game: English rulebookFantasy Flight Games · Setup step 4; Planning phase; Refresh phase step 3 · Checked 2026-09-26Printed page references: 7, 9, 17
Image: © Fantasy Flight Games and any cover-art licensors or artists (precise ownership not stated in the rulebook) · Fantasy Flight 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.
Related games and editions
The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earthRepos English base game
The Lord of the Rings: Journey to MordorFantasy Flight Games English rules, copyright 2016
Games with a similar starting rule
The Resistance: AvalonRandomly select a player and give them the leader token; they are the leader at the start of the game.
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Beyond the HorizonChoose the first player randomly and give them the First Player token. Play proceeds clockwise.
Imperial SettlersRandomly choose the First Player and give them the First Player marker.
SuburbiaRandomly choose a start player and give them the start-player marker.
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