From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in Smash Up: Cease and Desist?
Cease and Desist, English AEG expansion rules
The player who most recently borrowed something starts.
Rule details
The formal faction-drafting sidebar separately chooses the first drafter randomly.
Source & edition
- Smash Up: Cease and Desist: Alderac Entertainment Group rulesAlderac Entertainment Group · Setup, first-player instruction; formal drafting sidebar; PDF pages 3, 4 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 3, 4
Image: © Alderac Entertainment Group, Inc. (edition publisher) · Alderac Entertainment Group
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
Related games and editions
Smash UpBigger Geekier Box comprehensive rules, English
Smash Up: Oops, You Did It AgainOops, You Did It Again, English AEG expansion rules
Smash Up: World Tour – International IncidentWorld Tour: International Incident, English AEG expansion rules
Games with a similar starting rule
Thief's MarketThe player who most recently stole something starts.
Mary MagicaThe player who most recently looked for something starts.
Shake That CityWhoever most recently shook something is the first active player.
A Thief's FortuneWhoever most recently borrowed something and never returned it starts the first round and takes the Starting Player token.
Paranormal DetectivesThe Detective who most recently witnessed something scary takes the first turn.
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.