My list for today's Store Championship is clocking in at 97 points. I have a PS 9 pilot in my list who likes to arc dodge. I could take a different upgrade on another ship for 1 more point.

Should I stick to 97 and be safe?

depends on how many Dengars show up to your SC, basically

essential not just for arcdodging, but for dodging the TL that farts out devastating torpedoes

The ps9 ships you are likely to see are Quickdraw/Backdraft, Fenn, Dengar, and Poe. Fenn and Dengar are the biggest contenders for your initiative bid since they both can do nasty things if they have you in arc, so if you don't have another good way to deal with them, then that bid is extra important.

Regardless of bid, you'll need to have a plan to play around turn order via good predicting, because you should expect a lot of ps10 nym (new hotness and all that whatnot). Arc dodging just ain't what it used to be.

97 is my go-to number for repositioning lists. Very few players I encounter are willing to cut so deep into their own lists.

Back in Wave 4 we tuned it down to 86...14pt bid man. That's a real bid.

I went 98 pts with my Dengar Tel last time... lost initiative to a 98 pts VI Dash Poe list... things did not go well for me.

Is it "excessive?" It all depends on how desperate you are to have the choice when it comes to initiative. If you're trying to arc dodge after everyone else has moved it may well be worth "spending"those points if you think your PS bid will be challenged.

I only wound up needing it once, but it was nice to be able to chose.

People sometimes talk about "universal upgrades" and in some ways choosing not to spend points in a squad so you have a "bid" for initiative could be seen as meeting that goal. Considering people spend 1 point to give one ship a +2 PS boost (and fill a valuable slot in the process) what should the "cost" be for an upgrade that give all ships in your squadron a +/- 0.5 PS modification? Ok, it's not exactly the same due to simultaneous fire but pretty close.

Dengar Tel usually runs at 98, so not excessive.

So add our new Starviper pilot that gets your PS8-12 ace and is probably sitting on a 96pt bid and do you go lower?