Who goes first in Villages of Valeria?
Daily Magic Games English edition, 2016
Choose 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.
Rule details
Give the chosen player the Active Player Token and Action Selection Card.
The main setup and quick reference use different examples, so neither is treated as the only permitted method.
Source & edition
- Villages of Valeria: English rulebookDaily Magic Games · Setup, step 2; Quick Play Reference: Setup · Checked 2026-09-24Printed page references: 3, Quick Play Reference
Image: © Daily Magic Games / Mihajlo Dimitrievski · Daily Magic Games (deluxe box image via The Game Steward)
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.
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
Praga Caput RegniThe person who was most recently in Prague starts, or choose a player at random.
Rumble NationThe person who most recently visited a castle starts, or choose a player at random.
Zoo VadisThe person who most recently visited a zoo starts, or choose a player at random.
Roll Camera!: The Filmmaking Board GameWhoever most recently filmed a movie starts. Alternatively, choose the starting player at random.
Solar StormThe player most recently burned by the Sun starts, or the group can choose a starting player at random.
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.