Who goes first in Star Wars: Imperial Assault?
FFG English core game
In campaign play, the Rebels choose one of their figures to activate first. In a skirmish, the player whose army has the lower total Deployment cost chooses who starts with initiative; that player activates first.
Official tie-break or fallback
In a skirmish with equal total Deployment costs, determine initiative randomly.
If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.
Rule details
Campaign play alternates a Rebel figure’s activation with an Imperial group’s activation.
In a skirmish, players alternate activating deployment groups. Pass initiative to the opponent at the end of the round.
Source & edition
- Star Wars: Imperial Assault — English rulebookFantasy Flight Games · Learn to Play — Playing a mission; Activating a figure; Playing campaign missions · Checked 2026-09-26
- Star Wars: Imperial Assault — English Skirmish GuideFantasy Flight Games · Skirmish setup — Determine initiative; Playing a skirmish · Checked 2026-09-26
Related games and editions
- Star Wars: Jabba's Palace – A Love Letter Game — Z-Man English 19-character-card edition
- Star Wars: Rebellion — Fantasy Flight Games English rules, 2016
- Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game — FFG English original core set
Found a different instruction in your edition? Send a correction with the game, edition, and source.