From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in Mice and Mystics?

Plaid Hat English base game

Shuffle the initiative cards for the mice and the minion types that will be on the board at the start of the encounter. Deal them onto the initiative track in order; the card in the highest position takes the first turn.

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

Rule details

A minion card can take the first turn. Initiative follows the cards, rather than a fixed player seated at the table.

Follow any chapter-specific setup instructions before determining the opening initiative order.

If there’s a tie

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

Source & edition

Mice and Mystics — English rulebookPlaid Hat Games · Game round; Determining initiative order · Checked 2026-09-26
PDF page 9

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<blockquote class="whogoesfirst-rule" cite="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/mice-mystics-plaid-hat-en/">
  <p><strong>Who goes first in Mice and Mystics?</strong> Shuffle the initiative cards for the mice and the minion types that will be on the board at the start of the encounter. Deal them onto the initiative track in order; the card in the highest position takes the first turn.</p>
  <p>— <a href="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/mice-mystics-plaid-hat-en/">Official starting rule on Who Goes First?</a> (Plaid Hat English base game)</p>
</blockquote>

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