Who goes first in Star Wars: Rebellion?
Fantasy Flight Games English rules, 2016

Players first choose who controls the Rebels and who controls the Imperials (randomly if they cannot decide). The Rebel player goes first: they assign leaders to missions first and take the first turn of each Command Phase.
Rule details
In the Assignment Phase, the Rebel player assigns leaders first, then the Imperial player.
In the Command Phase, starting with the Rebel player, players alternate turns activating a system or revealing a mission.
The Rebel player also deploys units first during the Refresh Phase.
Source & edition
- Star Wars: Rebellion: Learn to PlayFantasy Flight Games · Page 4, Setup step 1 (Choose Factions); page 6, Assignment Phase; page 7, Command Phase · Checked 2026-09-25Printed page references: 4, 6, 7
- Star Wars: Rebellion: Rules ReferenceFantasy Flight Games · Page 6, Command Phase: the Rebel player takes the first turn · Checked 2026-09-25Printed page references: 6
Image: © Lucasfilm Ltd. (Star Wars art and marks); Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. (game packaging) · Fantasy Flight Games
If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say. If you need a tie-break, pick a player at random.
Related games and editions
Star Wars: Imperial AssaultFFG English core game
Star Wars: Jabba's Palace – A Love Letter GameZ-Man English 19-character-card edition
Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures GameFFG English original core set
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Free game-night tools: score keeper · turn timer · dice roller · all tools
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