Who goes first in Zombicide?
Classic Zombicide — original Season 1 English rules

Decide 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.
Source & edition
- Classic Zombicide — original Season 1 English rulebookGuillotine Games / CMON · Setup step 10 and Game Overview, Players’ Phase and End Phase · Checked 2026-09-28
Image: © Guillotine Games / CMON (publisher of the cited rules; cover art may have additional creators or rights holders) · Guillotine Games / CMON · Editorial fair use (Reduced-size cover of the cited publisher rulebook identifies the specific rules edition discussed in this independent article. It is contextual to the game and does not substitute for the game or complete manual. This is an editorial fair-use assessment, not a licence or permission.)
Rule details
After everyone has taken a turn, the first-player token passes to the player on the left for the next game turn.
Game night gear
Related games and editions
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
Dungeon LordsGive the starting-player token to the nicest player, or choose its holder randomly.
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.
DistilledRandomly choose the first player, or give the first-player token to whoever last visited a distillery.
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.
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