Starting rules about choosing at random

166 sourced starting rules that mention choosing at random. Check the edition before using an answer.

• A Feast for OdinRandomly choose who receives the starting-player moose. That player begins the first action phase, followed by the others clockwise.
• AbyssRandomly determine the starting player. Play then proceeds clockwise.
• AgricolaRandomly determine who gets the starting player token. That player gets 2 food; each other player gets 3 food.
• Ankh: Gods of EgyptChoose the first player at random, or give the first turn to whoever owns the most cats.
• Architects of the West KingdomRandomly choose a starting player. With the Variable Setup (side 2 of the Player Boards), the player with the most Virtue starts instead.
• ArcsGive the initiative marker to a randomly chosen player. The player with initiative takes the first turn of the opening round.
• Ark NovaRandomly determine a start player. Turn order is clockwise.
• Arkham HorrorSelect one player at random to be the first player and give them the first player marker.
• Around the World in 80 DaysThe player who most recently visited London starts; alternatively, choose one player randomly using everyone’s Hat pawn.
• ARTBOXChoose the first Maestro as the most recent art-gallery visitor, the most experienced player, or a player selected at random.
• BANG!Roles are dealt at random and the Sheriff reveals their role card. The Sheriff begins.
• Bardwood GroveThe player who can hold a note the longest starts; players may determine the starter randomly instead.
• BärenparkThe player who most recently visited an animal park starts. The rules also allow choosing the starting player at random.
• BarrageFor the full game, randomly choose who selects a Company first, then let players select clockwise. Reverse that selection order for play: the last player to choose takes the first action turn.
• Baseball Highlights: 2045Randomly assign the Visiting and Home teams. The Visiting team plays first.
• Battle MerchantsThe player who most recently sold a weapon to an orc takes the first turn. If nobody has, choose the starting player randomly.
• Battlestar Galactica: The Board GameRandomly choose a player to be the first player and give them the current player token. That player chooses their character first and takes the first turn.
• Beyond the HorizonChoose the first player randomly and give them the First Player token. Play proceeds clockwise.
• Black GoldWhoever most recently filled their car with gas takes the market price die and starts the first round. If players cannot remember or prefer another method, the rules say to choose randomly.
• Bomb BustersFor the first mission, designate the Captain at random. The Captain takes the first turn, then play proceeds clockwise.
• boop.The player who most recently petted a cat starts, or choose the first player randomly.
• Bot FactoryThe person who last bought a robot starts the first worker-placement phase. You may instead choose that player randomly.
• Brass: BirminghamDuring setup, shuffle all players’ Character tiles and place them in a random order on the Turn Order Track. Players take turns in that order in the first round.
• Brass: LancashireDuring setup, shuffle all players’ Character tiles and place them in a random order on the Turn Order Track. Players take turns in that order in the first round.
• BuranoWhoever visited Italy most recently starts. If nobody has ever been there, choose the starting player randomly.
• Burgle Bros 2: The Casino CapersWhoever most recently gambled starts. The rules also allow choosing the first player randomly.
• CascadiaThe person who most recently saw a bear, elk, salmon, hawk, or fox starts. The rulebook also allows choosing the starting player randomly.
• Castle ComboRandomly choose the first player. That player takes the opening turn, then play proceeds clockwise.
• Castles of Mad King LudwigRandomly choose the Master Builder, who begins by arranging the rooms and setting their prices. The player on the Master Builder’s left gets the first buying turn.
• Caverna: Cave vs CaveChoose at random who receives the starting-player marker. As an explicit alternative, let the smaller player begin.
• Caverna: The Cave FarmersRandomly determine the player who gets the Starting player token.
• CaylusOne player takes everyone's turn-order markers and places them randomly on the numbered turn-order spaces; this sets the order of play for the first turn, starting with the player on space 1.
• CeylonIn standard play, whoever drank tea most recently starts, or choose randomly. In the optional experienced-player variant, the lowest-numbered starting tile determines who starts.
• Champions of MidgardThe player who most recently earned glory in battle starts. Choosing a player randomly is also an official option.
• CheckersPlayers choose colours by random selection, such as a coin toss. The player with the Red (dark) men makes the first move. In later games, players alternate colours.
• ChrominoThe youngest player begins, or the group may choose the first player randomly.
• Clank!: A Deck-Building AdventureThe sneakiest player starts. The rules also allow choosing randomly.
• Clans of CaledoniaChoose the starting player at random. The first round proceeds clockwise.
• Codenames: PicturesThe triangles on the randomly drawn key card show which team starts. That team’s Spymaster gives the first clue.
• Colt ExpressAfter everyone chooses a character, take the chosen characters' bandit figures and pick one at random; that bandit's player is the First Player for the first round.
• ConcordiaDetermine the start player randomly. The last player (to the right of the start player) receives the Praefectus Magnus card.
• Container: 10th Anniversary Jumbo Edition!The player who last captained a container ship starts. Alternatively, choose a random starting player by any method everyone agrees on.
• Costa RicaChoose the first expedition leader: use the player who most recently visited a rainforest, with Costa Rica taking precedence, or randomly select someone using the explorers in one group.
• CoupThe previous game's winner goes first, or choose the starting player randomly.
• CuBirdsRandomly choose a dealer. The dealer takes the first turn, and play proceeds clockwise.
• CycladesShuffle the players’ offering markers and place them randomly on the turn track. Follow that order when making the first offerings to the Gods.
• Dawn of PeacemakersWhoever most recently avoided a conflict starts. The campaign rules also allow choosing the starter randomly.
• Demon WorkerThe player who has been evil most recently goes first, or choose a player randomly.
• Dice HospitalWhoever most recently visited a hospital starts. The rules also allow choosing randomly.
• Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'n WriteThe first player to come up with a punny dinosaur joke takes the first-player marker. If that proves difficult, choose a first player randomly.
• Dinosaur WorldThe player who most recently trained a raptor to respond to hand signals goes first. If no one has done that, choose the first player randomly.
• DistilledRandomly choose the first player, or give the first-player token to whoever last visited a distillery.
• Dog LoverChoose randomly, or let the player who owns the most dogs in real life start.
• DominionEnglish second edition · 2021 rulebook revisionFor a fresh game, choose the starting player randomly. If you just played Dominion and it was not a tie, the previous winner goes last; the player to their left starts.
• DominionRio Grande English original editionChoose the starting player randomly, then take turns clockwise.
• Dominion: IntrigueChoose the starting player randomly. If you just played a game of Dominion that did not end in a tie, the previous winner plays last and the player to their left starts.
• Dune: ImperiumDetermine the first player randomly and give that player the first player marker. The marker holder begins the round, with turns continuing clockwise.
• Dune: Imperium – UprisingFor three or four players, the player whose randomly dealt Objective shows the First Player marker takes that marker and begins the Player Turns phase. Turns continue clockwise.
• Dungeon LordsGive the starting-player token to the nicest player, or choose its holder randomly.
• Dungeon PetzWhoever fed a pet most recently receives the starting-player token. The rules also permit choosing its holder randomly or by agreement.
• EarthChoose the starting player randomly and give them the First-player and Active-player tokens. They choose the first action; the Active-player token passes clockwise.
• Elder SignShuffle the chosen investigator markers and randomly select one. The player controlling that investigator goes first.
• Eldritch HorrorPlayers agree on one player to receive the Lead Investigator token. If they cannot decide, give it to a random player, for example by rolling a die.
• EternitiumThe most recent player to travel back in time, or to see someone do so, starts. The journey or sighting may be fictional. If nobody qualifies, choose a starting player at random.
• EthnosFor the First Age, choose the first player at random. Play then proceeds to the left.
• EvolutionRandomly determine the first player and give that player the First Player Marker.
• ExoplanetsThe player who can name the most of Jupiter's moons takes the first turn. Alternatively, choose the starting player by any random method.
• Fire & Axe: A Viking SagaChoose a starting player by any method. The rules suggest the fiercest Viking roar, the hairiest beard, the most recent visit to Scandinavia, or drawing one shuffled crew member per player at random.
• Five Tribes: The Djinns of NaqalaRandomly place the turn markers on the Bid Order track. The marker in position 1 bids first; after bidding, the highest bid takes the first action turn.
• FlamecraftGather the Reputation markers and randomly reveal one to choose the starting player. Play proceeds clockwise.
• For SaleChoose the starting player randomly.
• FortDetermine the starting player and seating order randomly. Give that player the first player card; that player begins, then turns proceed clockwise.
• GnomopolisThe shortest player starts, or the group may choose the starting player at random.
• Grand Austria HotelRandomly choose a start player and give them the turn-order tile showing 1. That player rolls the dice and gets the first turn.
• GuillotineChoose someone randomly to take the first turn.
• Hero RealmsChoose the first player randomly, then play clockwise.
• High SocietyThe most smartly dressed player starts the first auction. The rules also allow choosing the first player at random.
• HookyThe person most recently in a classroom starts. The rules also allow choosing a starter randomly.
• IKIWith three or four players, whoever visited Japan most recently is the first month's starting player; choose randomly if nobody has visited Japan. With two players, randomly assign the Sun and Moon tokens; the Sun player starts the first month.
• Imperial SettlersRandomly choose the First Player and give them the First Player marker.
• InisGive the Brenn marker to a random player for setup. In the Season phase, the current Brenn plays the first card, which must be a Season card.
• IronwoodChoose or randomly assign the factions. The Woodwalker Chieftain goes first whenever a phase step requires turn order; the Ironclad Commander goes second.
• IstanbulChoose a starting player randomly. Give that player the starting-player marker and 2 Lira; take turns clockwise from them.
• JamaicaChoose the first Captain at random. They receive the Compass marker and Action dice, roll the dice, and decide which die controls the morning and evening actions.
• Joan of Arc: Orléans Draw & WriteChoose the multiplayer starting player randomly and give them the Follower bag.
• Just OneRandomly choose a player to be the first active player. That player draws the first card while the others write clues.
• KemetDetermine the entire first turn order randomly. Use that order for initial pyramid allocation and the first cycle of play.
• KingsburgPlace the players’ tokens on the Turn Order Chart randomly during setup. When the first productive season begins, everyone rolls their dice; the lowest total takes the first advisor-influence turn, followed by the other totals in ascending order.
• Legacy: Gears of TimeRandomly choose a player to pick their position in the opening player order first. The rulebook suggests comparing watches and giving first choice to the player whose watch shows the earliest time. The chosen player may select any position, so this step does not itself determine who takes the first turn.
• Lewis & Clark: The ExpeditionChoose the starting player randomly. That player takes the first turn.
• Loco MomoThe player who most recently walked in a forest starts; the group may instead choose the starter at random.
• Nacho PilePick the starting player at random and give them the bag of chips.
• NemesisDeal one numbered Help card to each player at random. Player 1 gets the First Player token.
• Neuroshima Hex! 3.0The game owner starts as Player 1, but may choose another starting player; the group may also choose the starter randomly.
• NomadsWhoever most recently told a story starts. Choosing a player at random is also an official option.
• NoxfordDetermine the first player randomly.
• NucleumFor two to four players, choose the first player at random and give them the First Player marker. That player takes the opening turn, and play continues clockwise.
• Oh My Goods!The person who most recently worked the hardest becomes the first active player, or choose a player at random.
• OverbossChoose a first player. The rulebook recommends whoever most recently raised a full legion of undead; if nobody has, choose randomly.
• Owl Solve That!Everyone draws a random number card. The player with the highest number goes first.
• Paladins of the West KingdomRandomly choose the starting player and give them the Start Player Marker. They reveal their Paladin and choose a Tavern card first, then take the first action; play proceeds clockwise.
• Pandemic Legacy: Season 2Take all the players’ pawns and randomly select one. That pawn’s player takes the first turn, then play proceeds clockwise.
• PlanesThe player who most recently traveled by plane starts. The reference sheet also permits a random choice.
• Point SaladChoose the starting player at random.
• Power GridAt the start of the game, player order is set randomly by placing one house from each player on the player order track. Order is re-determined once after the first round's power plant auction and at the start of every later round: the player with the most connected cities goes first.
• Praga Caput RegniThe person who was most recently in Prague starts, or choose a player at random.
• Queen's NecklaceChoose the first player randomly. The rulebook offers the player wearing the nicest jewelry as an example.
• RaPlayers randomly decide who gets which group of Sun tiles; the player with the highest-numbered Sun begins. Play then continues clockwise.
• Reef GardensThe player who most recently went diving at a coral reef begins; otherwise choose someone at random.
• ReviveChoose the starter with a quantum random generator, or another method the group considers sufficiently random if one is unavailable.
• RoboRallyRandomly choose who places first: that player puts their robot and Archive marker on Dock 1. The other players place clockwise on the remaining docks.
• Roll Camera!: The Filmmaking Board GameWhoever most recently filmed a movie starts. Alternatively, choose the starting player at random.
• RootDuring standard setup, assign factions and determine the starting player and seating order randomly.
• Rumble NationThe person who most recently visited a castle starts, or choose a player at random.
• ScytheThe player whose Player Mat has the lowest number on its label goes first. Player Mats are dealt randomly during setup.
• Sea Salt & PaperChoose the first player at random.
• Secret HitlerAfter players look at their secret roles, randomly select the first Presidential Candidate and give that player both the President and Chancellor placards.
• SecretsUse the rulebook's joke criterion, most recently abducted by the CIA or KGB, or choose the starter randomly. Continue clockwise.
• Sid Meier's Civilization: The Board GameChoose whoever can trace their family history back the farthest, or select the first player at random.
• Solar StormThe player most recently burned by the Sun starts, or the group can choose a starting player at random.
• Space BaseEach player draws a random Level 1 ship during setup. Whoever draws the highest sector number takes the starting-player card and goes first.
• Splendor DuelChoose the first player randomly. The other player takes one Privilege scroll.
• Star RealmsRandomly determine who plays first. The first player starts with a 3-card hand; the second player draws 5.
• Star Wars: RebellionPlayers 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.
• SuburbiaRandomly choose a start player and give them the start-player marker.
• Summoner Wars: Second EditionRandomly choose which player goes first. The starting player begins with 2 magic, and the opponent begins with 3 magic.
• Survive: Escape from Atlantis!Choose a first player, or select one at random. That player begins the game, and turns proceed clockwise.
• T.I.M.E StoriesChoose a player at random to read the Base’s card A aloud. Each player then reads one of the following cards in turn.
• Tang GardenThe most recent visitor to China goes first. If nobody has visited, choose randomly.
• TapestryChoose the first player at random. Each player begins with an Income turn, and play proceeds clockwise.
• Tawantinsuyu: The Inca EmpireWhoever harvested a vegetable most recently starts. Alternatively, use any random selection method the group chooses.
• Teotihuacan: City of GodsChoose the first player at random and give them the Player Order token marked 1. Play proceeds clockwise.
• That's Pretty Clever (aka Ganz schön clever)Choose a starting player at random; that player takes the six dice.
• The Ancient WorldRed Raven Games English first-edition rulesThe player who most recently won a game starts; the rules also allow choosing randomly.
• The Ancient WorldEnglish second-edition rulebook, ©2019 Red Raven GamesWhoever most recently won a game takes the first turn. The rules also allow choosing randomly.
• The Fox ExperimentGive the first turn-order token to whoever has the friendliest pet, or choose that player randomly. Assign the remaining tokens clockwise.
• The Godfather: Corleone's EmpireThe player who last watched The Godfather starts, or the group can decide randomly.
• The Great Fire of London 1666The player who most recently visited London starts. Alternatively, choose a player randomly.
• The Isle of CatsRandomly choose the starting player. Beginning with that player, go around the table choosing cat figures and placing them on the island in turn order.
• The Lord of the Rings: The Card GameChoose a first player and give them the first-player token. If the group cannot decide, select the first player randomly.
• The ResistanceRandomly select a Leader, who takes the Leader token and proposes the first Mission Team.
• The Resistance: AvalonRandomly select a player and give them the leader token; they are the leader at the start of the game.
• The Siege of RunedarThe shortest player starts, or choose the starter randomly.
• The White CastleStack the Influence markers in random order, then arrange the Heron tokens in that same order. The player whose Influence marker is on top plays first.
• Tigris & EuphratesChoose a starting player at random: place all players' unification tiles face down, mix them, and pick one. Play proceeds clockwise.
• Tiny Epic KingdomsWhoever most recently swung a sword goes first. Choosing the first player randomly is also an official option.
• Tiny Epic WesternWhoever most recently saw a horse starts as Dealer and places the first Posse Token. Random selection is also an official option.
• TipperaryThe player who most recently saw a living sheep takes the cloth bag and spins the wheel first. The rules also allow the group to choose the bag holder randomly.
• TokaidoRandomly line up the Traveler pieces at the starting inn in Kyoto. The Traveler farthest behind on the route moves first.
• Trismegistus: The Ultimate FormulaFor the introductory game, choose randomly or let the most experienced player start. Standard setup instead names the last player to perform an alchemical transmutation, with random selection as an alternative.
• Trogdor!!: The Board GameRandomly choose who takes the first turn.
• Twilight ImperiumRandomly choose a speaker during setup. The speaker chooses the first strategy card; during the action phase, the player holding the lowest-numbered strategy card acts first.
• Underwater CitiesRandomly arrange the play-order markers on the play-order track for the first round. The player in space 1 goes first.
• Valley of the KingsChoose the starting player randomly.
• Villages of ValeriaChoose the starting player however you wish. The main setup suggests the person who most recently built something; the quick reference says to choose at random.
• Viticulture: Essential EditionRandomly draw one rooster token from the players' tokens. Its owner receives the first player token and begins spring by placing their rooster on the wake-up chart.
• Vivid MemoriesGive the start player marker to whoever can recall the earliest positive memory, or choose a player at random.
• VolcanoWhoever has traveled closest to molten lava goes first. The rules also suggest choosing randomly as an alternative.
• Walking in BuranoThe player who most recently traveled abroad starts. The rules also permit choosing a random starter.
• Watson & HolmesThe player with the best acting and reading voice reads the case introduction and takes the start-player token. If the group uses the recorded introduction instead, choose the starter randomly.
• WingspanChoose the starting player at random and give that player the first-player token.
• WormholesThe player who most recently went through a doorway starts. The rules also allow choosing randomly.
• WrothRandomly choose the first player and give them the First Player token. That player starts the clockwise drafting and Action Phase turn order.
• YedoDetermine a starting player at random.
• ZombicideDecide together who starts, then give that player the first-player token. The rulebook explicitly says not to choose randomly because Zombicide is cooperative. The token holder takes the first turn.
• Zoo VadisThe person who most recently visited a zoo starts, or choose a player at random.

Each answer is our reviewed summary of the cited edition’s published rules. Sources include rulebooks and official online references. Open a game for its source and setup details. Or pick a starting player at random.

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