Also consider "Start of Combat Triggers" go in Initiative Order. Scenario:

[start of combat]

w/ initiative, ISARD (crew) gives a Decimator an evade token.

then PALOB (pilot) steals it

--or--

w/ initiative, PALOB (pilot) has nothing to steal.

Then ISARD (crew) gives a Decimator an evade token.

It matters alot if your going with aces, it matters not at all if your going for numbers with generics.

If I take an ace plus a miniswarm there's no point not going to 100.

Interesting examples fellas! Thanks again for the insight on this.

I played a game on the weekend where my opponent had two 9s and a 10 (Jake, Ello & Tycho respectively) vs my 5, 9, 10 (Hobbie, Wedge, Wes respectively). I was at 98 points, him at the full 100. I gave him initiative which meant he moved first, negating much of his ability to arc dodge as I was yet to move. About half way through the match, he even made note of the fact that he was not use to moving first.

I guess the only down side was that since his arc dodging was reduced, he instead chose to focus + evade when PTLing on Jake and Tycho; which on a Ag 3 ship (with autothrusters) makes pushing through damage just that bit harder....

So there are pluses and minuses for initiative. If I'd had the initiative and moved and shot first, he would have likely had less defensive options as he would have used his actions to arc dodge. However, the chances to actually shoot at him would have likely been less. In the end, I think I made the right choice. I'd rather have more chances to shoot, even if it means pushing less damage thorough each time; rather than fewer chances to shoot at all.

It matters alot if your going with aces, it matters not at all if your going for numbers with generics.

If I take an ace plus a miniswarm there's no point not going to 100.

Even this isn't always true. When I run swarm or miniswarm, I really prefer to be able to take initiative so I can move my generics first so I can block. Especially when it's academy ties vs academy ties.

I prefer to see where they set up first and just counter place my own ships.

It matters alot if your going with aces, it matters not at all if your going for numbers with generics.

If I take an ace plus a miniswarm there's no point not going to 100.

Even this isn't always true. When I run swarm or miniswarm, I really prefer to be able to take initiative so I can move my generics first so I can block. Especially when it's academy ties vs academy ties.

I prefer to see where they set up first and just counter place my own ships.

Maybe it's just the squad I have been using (Vader at ps11 with VI,soontir and carnor jax, at PS 8,9)

With all the upgrades its 100 pts.

During games I don't see what it matters if both lists are 100 points other than a roll off and someone places the first asteroid. After that ...the initiative and who has it has never made a lick of difference.

What am I missing here? What is anyone gainning on me by having 99 points or less?

Every squad I've played against was PS 7 or under so I just haven't seen this mysterious " initiative" thing occur perhaps?

What do I care who sets down the first rock? It doesn't change what I'm going to do with my rock placement.

It's all a strange grey fog to me what the importance of initiative is.

Just play a game with a Phantom and Fel against a PS9 list and see how important it is.

You will get games where it will not matter but you will also get games that in it everything.

How much emphasis you put on it is up to you.

Kris