Stranger Things: Upside Down Setup and First Game Guide
By Asmodee – Asmodee USA | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to set up Stranger Things: Upside Down and play your first cooperative game with a clear, step-by-step process and practical checkpoints.
Quick answer
To play Stranger Things: Upside Down for the first time, set up the board and components as described in the rulebook, choose your characters, and follow the turn sequence cooperatively to stop the Upside Down from overrunning Hawkins. Use the steps below to avoid common setup and first-game mistakes.
Why setup order matters in a cooperative game
In a cooperative game like Stranger Things: Upside Down, every player shares the same goal, so a clean setup prevents confusion about who controls what and which threats are active. Placing the board, sorting tokens, and preparing the threat deck in the right order keeps the first turn smooth and reduces mid-game pauses.
Because the game is designed for players to work together, you do not need to memorize every rule before you start. Instead, focus on getting the physical components organized and agree on a shared table space where everyone can reach the board.
What to check before you begin
Confirm you have the rulebook open and all listed components present. The catalog description mentions the town of Hawkins and the kids trying to stop the Upside Down, but it does not list every component or exact setup layout. Treat the rulebook as your authoritative source for component counts and placement.
If any component is missing or damaged, contact the retailer or publisher before playing. Do not substitute pieces from another game, as this can break the cooperative balance.
Step-by-step setup and first game
- Unpack and sort components: Open the box and separate the board, character pieces, tokens, cards, and dice into groups. Place the rulebook where all players can see it. Check that no small tokens roll off the table before you start placing them.
- Place the board and main tracks: Set the board in the center of the table and place any shared track markers or threat indicators in their starting positions as shown in the rulebook. Make sure the board is oriented so every player can read the text and reach the tracks.
- Prepare the threat or encounter deck: Shuffle the required decks and place them face down within reach. Leave space for a discard pile. Do not skip shuffling thoroughly; a clumped deck can make the first game unfairly swingy.
- Choose characters and take starting gear: Each player selects a kid from Hawkins and takes the matching character sheet and starting components listed for that character. Agree on characters before reading abilities aloud, so no one feels pressured to switch.
- Review the cooperative goal and turn order: Read the victory and loss conditions aloud, then confirm the turn order and what actions a player can take on their turn. Point to the exact rulebook section for turn actions so players can refer back during play.
- Play the first round slowly: Take the first turn step by step, reading each action aloud and resolving any card draws or dice rolls together as a group. If a rule is unclear, pause and look it up rather than guessing; a wrong ruling early can distort the whole game.
Product facts
- Stranger Things: Upside Down: In Stranger Things: Upside Down, players take on the role of the kids of Hawkins trying to stop the horrors of the Upside Down. This cooperative premise means everyone works together, so no single player is the opponent and table talk is part of the game.
Stranger Things: Upside Down
