Getting Started

Turn 0 just happened. The Host posted the map, announced the teams, and sent you a private message telling you which team you're on and whether you have a special role. Now you have until 21:00h to make your first moves.

What you need to do on Turn 1

1. Read your private message. Know your team, your role (if any), and how many Advantage Points you have to customize your character. Don't share the Host's message word-for-word with anyone. You can paraphrase, but copying it directly is against the rules.

2. Spend your Advantage Points. Unless you're a Cultist (who gets 0), you have points to spend on advantages that shape how you play. See Advantages for the full list. This is a one-time decision, so think about what kind of game you want to play.

3. Choose your Turn 1 action and specify how you'll do it. You start surrounded by other players on the ring around the central cache. Most people move, pick up materials, or throw a punch to test who's on their team. A few rest or take cover.

4. Choose your Turn 2 action (name only). You always plan one turn ahead. Pick the action name for Turn 2 now. It can't be the same as your Turn 1 action, and it has to respect the action's cooldown. You'll specify the details next turn.

Things to keep in mind

You start with 10 out of 12 energy. You're not at full health. Resting recovers 2, but costs you a turn of doing something else.

You can't repeat an action until its cooldown passes. If you move on Turn 1 (cooldown: 3), you can't move again until Turn 4. Choose carefully.

Nobody knows who's on whose team. The Host told you your team, but not who your teammates are. Finding them is part of the game. Punching someone lightly and seeing if they react like an ally is a common tactic. So is lying about it.

After Turn 1, player positions disappear from the map. You'll need to use Listen, Track, or social information to figure out where people are. See Vision & Information for details.

People lie. Every piece of information another player gives you might be false. The only source that never lies is the Host, and you can pay Audience Credits to ask them questions.

Common first-turn patterns

• Move toward the center to grab items from the central cache, then pick them up on Turn 2.
• Move away from everyone and hope nobody follows. Safer, but you miss out on early items.
• Stay and pick up materials from your starting tile. Quiet, but you're surrounded.
• Punch someone nearby to start figuring out teams. Risky if they hit back harder.
• Rest to bank energy and get a discount on your next enhancement. Passive but practical.

There's no single correct opening. It depends on your role, your team size, and how much risk you're comfortable with.