"Initiative"
Here is how game developer Nick Shapiro described the mechanic for players on the Heroes Rising Players page recently--"Going first can be a big advantage in combat, but who attacks first? Who wins Initiative?
It's a random dice roll, heavily weighted by each hero's movement score, but now there's also a new "initiative" effect that can give you a bonus.
It's never guaranteed, there's always some randomness involved.
Each point of the initiative effect gives you +2% to go first.
If you have 50 more points of initiative than your opponent you will have a 100% chance to go first.
If you have 60 point of initiative, and your opponent has 10 points, then you have (60 - 10) = 50 more points and a 100% chance to go first.
If there is no initiative effect, then who goes first is semi-random based heavily on the relative movement score of the two players, as it always has been.
Good luck out there!" - Nick Shapiro
How will this new addition play out? Feel free to share your thoughts with the Sentinel on this new mechanic and how it works for you in the future, but for right now, I think there is a fairly low chance(if any) of any players having the 50 points in initiative mentions. It is going to take time to accumulate enough gear that offer this new bonus to game play.
At this time, there are only two (but I wouldn't be surprised if more are soon available. If you are reading the current story Grandfather Time by Daniel Peyton, you might know what I mean. Just a theory...)
Thunderstruck (.5%)For sheer Elemental damage, Stun effect, and Move bonus for a ring, I'd give this item 4 Stars. If you can collect and equip a couple of these, I'd have to agree, your opponents will be left... well, thunderstruck!
Hellion Jodhpurs (.5%)
As leggings go, the bonus to Move and Life Bonus are well in line with other Leg options, and the Cursed Aura is a nice addition. I wouldn't say these are the best out there, but they are a solid 3 Stars.
Shiny. Very shiny. The Move bonus is average, the Life Bonus is decent, and if your able to put your foot up to your opponent and connect, the Weaken Foe Strike might work well, but they might not. Overall, I would use this piece of gear only if my characters Strike were very high, otherwise, I think other footwear would be my choice. 2 Stars.
Nibelung (.5%)
Another nice ring option, Nibelung has a sizable bonus to Magic Damage. Plus 30 and 40+ to damage is good. +50 is next level. Combining that with 2X damage and Resist Tech makes for a choice option for doing some above average damage. 4 Stars.
Nauglamir (.5%)
Here is a ring with a strong Supernatural Damage Bonus, but a very, very, VERY minor Lifesteal Bonus, and a fairly low Weaken Foe Strike %. When they say it was just a flesh wound, I think they were talking about being hit with this ring. The Supernatural Damage Bonus is nice, but that is about it. 3 Stars.
Frostfire Cap (.5%)
This is a piece of head gear built for hotheads. Burn effect, Stun, Elemental Damage, and a huge Life Bonus. If you are looking for something to add to your Elemental build, this is gear worth wanting. 5 Stars.
This wrist item is like many wrist items. It has some fair benefits, such as 2X Damage, Weaken Foe Dodge, and a double-digit Life Bonus. It isn't great, but it does have its uses 3 Stars.
Did somebody break into the WMD storage locker and take this from their supply? Or did a visitor from a lower plane show up and forget his hat? Either way, this selection gives a good Life Bonus, decent Strike Steal capability, and comparable Magic Damage. If you manage to get your hands on this item in the shuffle, hold on and reach in deep to grab what magical knick-knack you need in a crisis. 4 Stars.
Eisenfaust(1%)
With a flat Strike Bonus of +1000, a Strike Bonus% of +5%, and a mid-line Life Bonus %, this Wrist item will please players around Level 40, when you can first gain a wrist slot. Otherwise, it will make a good back-up item to be used when needed. 2 Stars.
In combination with the Eisenfaust, this leg gear could make a very great Physical gear combination, especially in multiples. A sizable flat Strike Bonus, a Physical Damage Bonus, and Move% Bonus will help this item work very, very nicely with Morphonium Claws from Daily Rewards and Spiked Rings. Talk about building a suit of power armor that resembles Iron Man's original suit. 3 Stars.
This piece of arm gear will tickle your opponent's minds with its Strike% Bonus, Strike Steal%, and Mental Damage bonus. Crafted with love (get it, Love-crafted), the Eldritch Hallucination will make for some interesting possibilities with different pieces of Mental equipment. 3 Stars.
A better value to its Strike% than the Eldritch Hallucinations, it also adds a small flat Strike Bonus to its user, as well as a small Resist Physical bonus. For this round in the Nova's Mystery Shuffle, only two pieces offer a resistance bonus to any types of specific damage, the Charged Gauntlets and Nibelung Ring. 2 Stars.
Thank you, Justin Towe and other staff involved. You rock.