Who goes first?
From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in Scythe?

Stonemaier Games English rulebook, 2015

The player whose Player Mat has the lowest number on its label goes first. Player Mats are dealt randomly during setup.

Read the publisher’s rulebook

Rule details

Play proceeds clockwise from the starting player.

Faction Mats and Player Mats are shuffled and one of each is dealt to every player; the Rusviet/Industrial and Crimea/Patriotic combinations are banned and redrawn.

The designer notes that higher-numbered Player Mats have slightly better starting track positions to offset the likely extra turn for the first player.

If there’s a tie

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

Source & edition

  • Scythe — English rulebookStonemaier Games · Page 6, Faction Selection; page 8, Setup continued — Starting Player and Designer’s Note; page 2 quick-reference step 18; copyright on the back page · Checked 2026-09-25

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