Quick Answer
Set up Citizens of the Spark by laying out the central board, shuffling the event and citizen decks, and giving each player their starting hand and tokens. Follow the steps below to avoid common first-time mistakes.
Why Setup Order Matters
Setting up Citizens of the Spark in the right order saves time and prevents confusion, especially when you're playing with new players. The game's strategic depth comes from the interaction between the event deck, the citizen deck, and player actions, so a clean setup helps everyone focus on the gameplay.
One common trade-off: some players prefer to set up the board first, while others start by preparing the decks. The order below balances both, ensuring that the central board is ready before you distribute components to players.
First-Time Setup Steps
- Unbox and Inventory Components: Open the box and check that all components are present: the game board, citizen cards, event cards, player tokens, and any other included pieces. Refer to the rulebook's component list if you're unsure. If something is missing, contact Thunderworks Games support before starting.
- Place the Central Board: Set the game board in the center of the table, within easy reach of all players. Ensure there's enough space around it for each player's personal area. A clear play area prevents accidental bumps that could disrupt the board.
- Shuffle and Prepare Decks: Shuffle the citizen deck and the event deck separately. Place them face down in their designated spots on the board. Do not look at the cards while shuffling. A thorough shuffle ensures a random distribution of events and citizens.
- Distribute Player Components: Give each player their starting hand of citizen cards, any starting tokens, and a player reference if included. Follow the rulebook's instructions for the exact number of cards and tokens. Double-check that each player has the same starting resources to ensure fairness.
- Set Up the Event Track: Place the event marker on the starting space of the event track, as indicated in the rulebook. This track determines when events trigger during the game. Misplacing the marker is a common error; verify the starting position before play.
- Review Rules and Start: Before the first turn, quickly review the turn structure and key actions with all players. Then, decide who goes first (e.g., the most recent player to visit a city) and begin. A quick rules recap reduces mid-game pauses and keeps the flow going.
Product Spotlight
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Citizens of the Spark: Citizens of the Spark is a board game from Thunderworks Games, designed for players who enjoy strategic and thematic gameplay. Its strategic and thematic design means setup should be thorough to ensure all components are in place for a smooth first play.
Citizens of the Spark
