So as I'm making and testing lists I'm finding objectives are VERY important. So I'm wondering what are people feeling is a good bid for initiative? With Empire or Rebel, getting your objectives used is a big advantage, keep in mind my group always play Empire vs. Rebel, so in a mirror match it may not be so important. So that brings me back to how much should I bid for initiative for a tournament event, knowing I'll have mirror matches? Here is a list of the objectives I normally take with each faction;

Empire

- Advanced Gunnery

- Contested Outpost

- Minefields

Rebel

- Opening Salvo

- Hyperspace Assault

- Dangerous Territory

I have been keeping my Rebel lists around 294-297, so a bid of 3-6. My Empire lists are around 293-295, so a bid of 5-7. My initial thought is to bid around 5-6 and really tailor my fleet to the objectives I bring but I was not sure if people were going lower than that, or did not even care or take it into consideration?

depends on the list

the more well rounded the fleet, the less you have to care about objectives

however, some ships and squadrons really care about initiative (particularly the GSD with engine techs and the glass cannon tie interceptors)

In general, it seems the empire is more affected by initiative than the rebellion (or at least in my experience flying space whales, which are probably the most well rounded ships ito gameplay and model ) because of their emphasis on close quarters combat combined with the "Shoot first, then move" rule.

So are you saying that you think getting the initiative and staying first player is better than having your objectives used? I have been more on the side of getting my objectives used and being second player. I find it easier to position for the objectives I planed for, and in round two I normally have set myself up for the first full shots fired, as the first player has to shoot (normally just red dice or no range at all) then move closer to me giving me a better shot with more dice. After that the shoot/move is in the favor of the first player, but I still like the advantage I have with the objective I picked over that.

But I may be overestimating this advantage because I have only played Empire vs Rebel. A same faction match would have roughly the same objective advantage for both players, but then again if I win the initiative bid I can just stay first player and use his objectives (which some are probably the same as mine).

So my question remains the same, what is being first player or having your objectives used worth in terms of build points? I'm thinking 5-6 points, thoughts?

5/6 if you don't really care

I've seen lists that do care toss an entire squadron for the bid (11-12 points), mainly Skreed VSD + GSD in order to secure the initiative for the Gladiator and squadrons

Yikes, that's more than I thought people would bid! The lowest I have seen is my Imperial 293 build.... But that's why I asked, I have not been to an organized event yet.

I think your bid is going to also be affected by how much you are focusing on squadrons. With Rebel squadrons almost all having bomber, you are more incentivized to win and end the squadron engagement early so that they can get some extra dice in on the ships.