initiative value

[King171717]

Can somebody explain initiative value to me?
I thought a higher initiative is better but the shock ideas lower them?

So does a higher initiative mean they dont get into assaults as quickly, so by lower the initiative value in shock, your forces can assault quicker?

 

[StephenT]

Lower initiative is better, because it means you get to act multiple times in the round.

Each section of combat (bombardment, melee, pursuit) takes place over a series of turns. Units get to act every turn, once the turn number equals their initiative rating.

In other words:

Turn 1: only units with initiative 1 get to fire.
Turn 2: units with initiative 1 or 2 get to fire.
Turn 3: units with initiative 1, 2 or 3 get to fire.
And so on.

A national idea giving you -2 to initiative means you'll get two extra attacks in each section of the battle compared to a unit that doesn't have the idea. (And your extra attacks will happen first, before they get to react.)

 

[King171717]

That makes sense.

But in the manual it says
13.4.1 Initiative Each brigade has an initiative rating which is used to determine the order by which it enters battle during a particular
phase. The higher the rating the quicker the brigade enters the fight. If two opposing brigades have the same initiative neither side gains the upper hand. Both
conduct each phase of combat at the same time as the other.

This its stating the higher the value the quicker it enters the fight.
it makes more sense that the rulebook is wrong.

Thanks

 

[StephenT]

Yeah, it sounds like the manual should say "better initiative" rather than "higher initiative". It would make sense then.

 

[Secret Master]

Wait, are the combat phases always the same length, or do they change thanks to stuff the commanders do?