From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in The King Is Dead: Second Edition?

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.

If there’s a tie

The cited starting-player instruction does not specify a tie-break. We don’t infer one.

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

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