Nippon: Zaibatsu · Board game rules
How do starting tiles work?
Quick answer
Players pick a pair of Starting tokens (A+B), apply token A's effect and set their score, then gain token B's bonuses, in turn order starting right of the first player, going counterclockwise.
Details
During setup, random pairs of Starting tokens A + B are placed face up — the number of pairs depends on player count (3 for 2 players, 4 for 3 players, 5 for 4 players) [p.6 — Setup]. Starting with the player to the right of the first player and proceeding counterclockwise, each player chooses one available pair; once chosen, that pair can no longer be picked by others [p.6 — Setup].
After choosing a pair, each player performs three steps in order: (1) apply the effect shown on the left side of Starting token A, (2) place their 0/100 Scoring disc on the Scoring track space matching the value shown on the right side of Starting token A, and (3) gain all bonuses (Resources, Money, track advances) shown on Starting token B [p.6 — Setup]. Any unused Starting tokens are returned to the box once everyone has chosen [p.6 — Setup].
Starting token A effects vary widely — examples include taking a free Machine to place in your first built Factory, building a free Ship or Train immediately, taking the Old Factory tile, taking a free Worker, gaining a permanent discount on Factory-building costs, or starting with extra Resources placed directly on the token for later use [p.7 — Starting Tokens A]. These effects are resolved exactly as printed on the token, following the "General Concepts" rules for gaining bonuses [p.7 — General Concepts].
Watch out: Token A's effects sometimes create exceptions to normal rules — for example, the Machine or Resources gained must be placed in the first Factory you build, which is the only situation where such components may sit in your supply before a Factory exists [p.7 — Starting Tokens A].