I'm just trying to gauge what the average initiative bid is these days for a typical Whisper squad? I seem to be seeing a lot of 98 point lists out there and I'm trying to build a rebel list that doesn’t include a yt-1300 yet can outbid Whisper

Is going to 97 points worth it?

Starting point will be:

Bid points 3

Wedge + Predator 32

Biggs25

Leaves 40 points, probably enough for a filler z95 and an mid to upper level X-Wing or B-Wing.

Any suggestions?

Alternatively pushing out to 100 points and throwing in Roark could net a list of

Wedge + Predator 32

Biggs 25

Roark + ICT 24

Airen Cracken 19

Am I onto something here or simply grasping at straws trying to outbid phantoms?

I go down to 97 with Phantom only. Usually 98 has worked enough for me.

Someone (probably MajorJuggler) has some data based on the tournament feeds as to what the lists were costing to give you some rough odds on what typical initiative bids are. The significant majority of lists are still either 100 or 99.

I almost never use anything less than 100, often because I don't really care for initiative? I don't use many pilots that are 1 or 2 in skill and I'm not the best at blocking, and usually manage to avoid being blocked by my opponents. Now my strategy might change for that with Scum, since Segnor's loops might be really tricky to pull off in some situations, but that's only one move type out of dozens. I like having higher PS skills because I find it way easier to plan -around- my opponent and possibly either get out of arc or focus down single ships or groups as a result.