Who goes first in Twilight Imperium?
Fantasy Flight Games Fourth Edition Rules Reference · English
Randomly 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.
Rule details
The speaker does not automatically take the first action. Initiative follows the chosen strategy cards; with multiple cards, use a player's lowest-numbered card.
Our interpretation
The opening strategy choice and the opening action have different priority rules.
Source & edition
- Twilight Imperium: Fantasy Flight Games Fourth Edition Rules ReferenceFantasy Flight Games · Setup; §43 Initiative; §69 Strategy Phase · Checked 2026-09-25
Image: © Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc. · 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.
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