From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in Seismic?

Atlas English rules, single-sheet publisher PDF

The player seated closest to a solid doorframe goes first.

Rule details

Turns then proceed clockwise. Each turn draws and places a tile, with an optional road crew placement if allowed.

The rule awarding a tie to the tallest player concerns the final score, not the choice of starting player.

Source & edition

Seismic: Atlas Games rulesAtlas Games · Setup, final bullet; Game Play; End Game; Variants · Checked 2026-09-23
PDF page 1

All 3 Atlas Games starting rules

Image: © Atlas Games · Atlas Games

If there’s a tie

The rulebook doesn’t say.

More starting rules

Browse available game rules

Free game-night tools: score keeper · turn timer · dice roller · all tools

Embed this answer on your site

Copy this HTML into a blog post, forum or game café page. It’s plain text with a link back to this rule, so it works almost anywhere. More embed options

<blockquote class="whogoesfirst-rule" cite="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/seismic-atlas-en/">
  <p><strong>Who goes first in Seismic?</strong> The player seated closest to a solid doorframe goes first.</p>
  <p>Source: <a href="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/seismic-atlas-en/">Official starting rule on Who Goes First?</a> (Atlas English rules, single-sheet publisher PDF)</p>
</blockquote>

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