We already know that VI, and all other permanent Initiative boosts, are going away. However, the devs have not ruled out the prospect of temporary initiative changes.

Could this be the future for VI? Instead of a permanent boost, what if it just changes to a single-round (or even single phase) boost that has you spend a charge to gain a temporary +1 or +2 boost to Initiative, or just completely bump you to Initiative 6 for that turn. Luke still isn't as good a pilot as his father, but for one turn he's able to draw on his experience to match up with him.

It seems like it would be both more balanced and more thematic, rewarding players for choosing the right moment to actually use the ability instead of just being on all the time.

I was prepared to come in here and say, "Idea for Veteran Instincts 2.0: it never exists" and then you go and post a fair and reasonable idea on my Internet!? How dare you.

I've been suggesting roughly that for VI for a while. I'm sure others have too.

Supernatural Reflexes Heightened Perception, spend force to change ps.

I did notice they were very careful in their wording about permanent initiative boosts being a thing of the past; a charge-based initiative bonus is almost certainly assured.

But what I wanna know is: Will we still get Thweek?!

I'm thinking Roark might still be a thing, also you have Decoy and Swarm tactics. I'm kind of hoping Swarm tactics gets changed to increase the PS of all friendly ships range 1 to you, but only having a single charge.

Decoy would be much better is it was at the start of the activation.

3 hours ago, PhantomFO said:

We already know that VI, and all other permanent Initiative boosts, are going away. However, the devs have not ruled out the prospect of temporary initiative changes.

Could this be the future for VI? Instead of a permanent boost, what if it just changes to a single-round (or even single phase) boost that has you spend a charge to gain a temporary +1 or +2 boost to Initiative, or just completely bump you to Initiative 6 for that turn. Luke still isn't as good a pilot as his father, but for one turn he's able to draw on his experience to match up with him.

It seems like it would be both more balanced and more thematic, rewarding players for choosing the right moment to actually use the ability instead of just being on all the time.

In my 1.0 hack, there was an action called "Gain the Advantage" that was basically that. You could take it to get a +1 bonus to your PS next round.

My hack was very similar to 2.0, but instead of limiting PTL, I just made it a basic thing that anyone can do. I also increased the number of actions, with things like this.

I was liking the idea of being forced to work WITHIN the constraints of PS/Initiative.

Perhaps 1 round of PS +2 but you get stressed afterward.

3 hours ago, Jo Jo said:

I'm thinking Roark might still be a thing, also you have Decoy and Swarm tactics. I'm kind of hoping Swarm tactics gets changed to increase the PS of all friendly ships range 1 to you, but only having a single charge.

Decoy would be much better is it was at the start of the activation.

That would be a pretty cool concept. Especially if you could recharge it via, say, spending an action.

In one of the 1.0 Cinematic Play missions (IG-88's "Bounty Hunt"), there is a similar 'gimmick'; the OPEN FIRE token lets you jump your initiative to 12 for a phase by discarding it.

I don't mind a one-use PS boost at all.

Got an idea for PTL,

After executing a red maneuver you may perform a white action before checking stress.

VI I guess it could be something like predator, if your initiative is higher than the defender you may reroll 1 die.

I would love to see an EPT that allows you to spend a focus token to increase/decrease your initiative in either the movement or combat step. Trade modifier for priority.

1 hour ago, Jetfire said:

I would love to see an EPT that allows you to spend a focus token to increase/decrease your initiative in either the movement or combat step. Trade modifier for priority.

Spending a focus during movement won't really work, as you generally won't have one at the start of the activation phase. We know Focus tokens are still removed during the cleanup step, so the only ones who would still have one would be those carrying Advanced Optics.

14 hours ago, Magnus Grendel said:

In one of the 1.0 Cinematic Play missions (IG-88's "Bounty Hunt"), there is a similar 'gimmick'; the OPEN FIRE token lets you jump your initiative to 12 for a phase by discarding it.

I don't mind a one-use PS boost at all.

General Riekkan waves hello from the rebel transport.

Armada has cards that can temporarily change activation order, such as Bail Organa. They haven't been a problem.

http://starwars-armada.wikia.com/wiki/Bail_Organa

Along with your example I would also think it cool if you could for one round choose an enemy ship. You could move after that ship, shoot before that ship, regardless of PS, but other order would remain unchanged

56 minutes ago, FlyingAnchors said:

General Riekkan waves hello from the rebel transport.

And yet he barely made a ripple in Epic play, I don't see him often. I chalk that up to a couple things.

First, he doesn't just take up a crew slot. He takes up an Epic-ship crew slot. There aren't many of those.

Secondly, he's 3 points. While that's not much in the context of Epic play, it's still hard to justify spending 3 points on a single-use crew slot.

Third, he only works in the activation phase. Frankly, there aren't many situations where it's useful to have all your ships at PS12 during the Activation phase. Usually it's just one or two in any given round.

Hopefully he can get a rework. I'd also love a Leia Organa rework while they're at it. 4 points was a steep price just to have her relieve stress from everyone in the Rebel fleet for a round.

7 hours ago, PhantomFO said:

And yet he barely made a ripple in Epic play, I don't see him often. I chalk that up to a couple things.

First, he doesn't just take up a crew slot. He takes up an Epic-ship crew slot. There aren't many of those.

Secondly, he's 3 points. While that's not much in the context of Epic play, it's still hard to justify spending 3 points on a single-use crew slot.

Third, he only works in the activation phase. Frankly, there aren't many situations where it's useful to have all your ships at PS12 during the Activation phase. Usually it's just one or two in any given round.

Hopefully he can get a rework. I'd also love a Leia Organa rework while they're at it. 4 points was a steep price just to have her relieve stress from everyone in the Rebel fleet for a round.

I have had quite the opposite experience. I have found him to be well worth his 3 point investment, spending him during a pivotal round (especially during a furball) can make a huge difference. I have yet to have a bad game with him.

Although I will agree that Leia needs a rework and better ability for standard play.

10 hours ago, Joe Censored said:

Armada has cards that can temporarily change activation order, such as Bail Organa. They haven't been a problem.

http://starwars-armada.wikia.com/wiki/Bail_Organa

Yep, changing it in-game seems much less problematic than the permanent PS arms race during list building.

It'll be interesting if the narrower range of PS values leads to a bidding war instead.

Just let the past die!

15 hours ago, piznit said:

Along with your example I would also think it cool if you could for one round choose an enemy ship. You could move after that ship, shoot before that ship, regardless of PS, but other order would remain unchanged

Sooo, if they keep Torkil Mux, he could be like the post above in the 2nd edition iteration.

Quote

I'm thinking Roark might still be a thing

If Roark is still there, I hope Torkil is there as well. Both are fun and bring Hwks to the table.

On 5/17/2018 at 1:24 AM, Reiver said:

I did notice they were very careful in their wording about permanent initiative boosts being a thing of the past; a charge-based initiative bonus is almost certainly assured.

But what I wanna know is: Will we still get Thweek?!

Charge based sounds pretty good.

Something like:

Spend a charge, gain 1 PS for a turn

or

Lose 1 PS for a turn, gain a charge.

Heightened Perception (Force Talent)

At the start of the Engagement Phase, you may spend 1 [Force Charge]. If you do, engage at initiative 7 instead of your standard initiative value this phase.

We did it!