From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in The King Is Dead: Second Edition?
Osprey English second-edition rules, ©2020

The most recent visitor to a castle goes first.
Rule details
Starting with that player, turns run clockwise. Each player plays an action card or passes.
Four-player games use teams seated opposite their partners, but players still take individual turns. The advanced game changes the action cards, not the starting criterion.
Source & edition
- The King Is Dead: Second Edition: Osprey Games rulesOsprey Games · Setup: Start Player and Advanced Game; How to Play: Turns; End of the Game; Four-Player Game; credits · Checked 2026-09-23
Image: © Osprey Games (publisher of the cited rules; cover art may have additional creators or rights holders) · Osprey Games
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
Minute RealmsWhoever most recently visited a castle is the first player.
Tang GardenThe most recent visitor to China goes first. If nobody has visited, choose randomly.
890 Anno DominiThe person who most recently visited a castle is the first player.
ARTBOXChoose the first Maestro as the most recent art-gallery visitor, the most experienced player, or a player selected at random.
AzulThe player whose visit to Portugal was most recent starts.
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.