From the source rules
Who goes first in Potion Explosion?
Horrible Guild English rulebook
Whoever most recently prepared a drink goes first. Turns proceed clockwise.
Rule details
That player keeps the First Player token for the whole game.
When choosing starting potions, draft the first potion clockwise from the starter, then the second potion in reverse order from the last player.
Source & edition
- Potion Explosion: Horrible Guild rulesHorrible Guild · Game setup steps 2 and 4; End of game; PDF pages 4, 9 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 4, 9Cited PDF pages: 4, 9
Image: © Horrible Guild / Giulia Ghigini · Horrible Guild
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
BrewWhoever most recently brewed a cup of tea or coffee gets the first-player marker. Turns proceed clockwise from that player.
KawaiiWhoever most recently ate ice cream starts the first round. Card-flipping turns proceed clockwise.
TrioWhoever most recently ate avocado goes first. Continue clockwise.
HorrifiedWhoever most recently ate garlic starts. Continue clockwise after each player's turn.
SeptimaIn multiplayer, whoever most recently made a mixed drink is the starting player.
Free game-night tools: score keeper · turn timer · dice roller · all tools
Found a different instruction in your edition? Send a correction with the game, edition, and source.