Who goes first in Smash Up?
Bigger Geekier Box comprehensive rules, English
Check these fantasy events in order: alien abduction, pirate press-ganging, a vampire bite, dragon burns, a princess's kiss, Cthulhu-induced madness, a teddy-bear attack, or being eaten by an orc. The most recent match to the first applicable event starts.
Official tie-break or fallback
If none of the events applies, the group decides who starts.
Rule details
These are the comprehensive rulebook's playful criteria, in priority order.
The separate formal faction-drafting procedure chooses its first drafter randomly.
Source & edition
- Smash Up: Alderac Entertainment Group rulesAlderac Entertainment Group · Setup, final paragraph and Kickin’ It Queensberry sidebar; PDF pages 4 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 4
Image: © Alderac Entertainment Group, Inc. (edition publisher) · Alderac Entertainment Group
If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.
Related games and editions
Smash Up: Cease and DesistCease and Desist, English AEG expansion rules
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
Monster CafeThe most recent person to eat something disgusting starts round one.
TargiThe player who most recently ate dates goes first. If neither player has ever eaten dates, the player using blue starts.
Dragon FarkleThe player who brought the most snacks starts the game.
Death ValleyThe player who most recently drank water plays first.
Portal: The Uncooperative Cake Acquisition GameThe player who most recently ate cake goes first.
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.