From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in Pandemic: Rapid Response?
Z-Man English rulebook, 2019 copyright
The player who most recently traveled by plane starts. Continue clockwise.
Rule details
Flip the sand timer to begin. Although the game runs in real time, players take turns one at a time.
Source & edition
- Pandemic: Rapid Response: Z-Man Games rulesZ-Man Games · Setup step 9; Real-Time Gameplay and Player Turns; PDF pages 3, 4 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 3, 4
Image: © Z-Man Games / Asmodee · Z-Man Games
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
Related games and editions
Browse available game rules
Games with a similar starting rule
IwariWhoever traveled most recently takes the first turn.
TrainsThe player who most recently traveled by train starts.
Expeditions: Around the WorldThe player who most recently traveled abroad goes first.
MoroccoThe player who most recently traveled to Morocco starts and takes the start-player marker.
Loose CabooseThe person who most recently traveled by train starts.
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