This is assuming that each side has equal points.

Any time two players use the same number of squad points, initiative is determined randomly. There is a stipulation in the core rules that one side or the other (I can't remember which) has initiative, but I think that was just to simplify the process of learning the game because it removes an element of strategy; ignore that rule.

Edit: Once you get into squad building, especially with scum, you are more into the competitive/tournament type of game anyway. Check out the tournament rules for what has become the standard rules for X-wing.

Virtually everyone determines initiative the way the tournament rules say to, either whoever has the fewest points chooses or a randomly determined player chooses.

But if someone weren't playing by Tournament rules, the Imperial player gets it.

What would cause issues is if it were a Rebel vs S&V game, since the rules don't say who would get it in that case.

Like I said, virtually everyone uses the tournament rules for determining initiative. The "whether they are using the other tournament rules or not" was implied.

Like I said, virtually everyone uses the tournament rules for determining initiative. The "whether they are using the other tournament rules or not" was implied.

Also for asteroids. The core dogfight rules are practically obsolete.

Virtually everyone determines initiative the way the tournament rules say to, either whoever has the fewest points chooses or a randomly determined player chooses.

Just stepping up to represent for, it would seem, very few people. I've never even read the tournament rules for X- Wing since I don't play in tournaments. I had no idea they even changed how initiative works.

I had assumed that since Imperials get initiative over Rebels, that would put Rebels over Scum. It makes sense to me, not only in a "last to the party, last with initiative" kind of way, but also thematically. If Scum are really that interested in getting initiative, they should underspend on the fleet builds.

The bottom line is that one player MUST have initiative. If squad points are equal, just use a dice roll or coin toss to determine it. Simple.

If you are playing with the core rules and not randomly determining initiative clashes per the tournament rules then the best bet is to follow the initiative guideline from the Aggressor 3 player mission. That mission clarifies that priority is: Empire>Rebel>Scum

That being said, I would go with the tournament rules. Since you now know, and knowing is half the battle