Who goes first?
From the publisher’s rulebook

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.

If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.

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.

If there’s a tie

The rulebook doesn’t say. If you need a tie-break, pick a player at random.

Source & edition

All 27 Fantasy Flight Games starting rules

Related games and editions

Browse available game rules

Games with a similar starting rule

  • The ResistanceRandomly select a Leader, who takes the Leader token and proposes the first Mission Team.
  • The Resistance: AvalonRandomly select a player and give them the leader token; they are the leader at the start of the game.
  • The Siege of RunedarThe shortest player starts, or choose the starter randomly.
  • The White CastleStack the Influence markers in random order, then arrange the Heron tokens in that same order. The player whose Influence marker is on top plays first.
  • Tigris & EuphratesChoose a starting player at random: place all players' unification tiles face down, mix them, and pick one. Play proceeds clockwise.
More starting rules about choosing at random

Found a different instruction in your edition? Send a correction with the game, edition, and source.