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From what I understand the initiative stat is being removed entirely in 8th edition & is instead represented as the movement stat?



GW states: "We’ve gained a Movement stat in exchange for a Initiative stat. With charging units now striking first, movement and co-ordination of your assault army becomes a big factor."

What does this mean for units like Imperial Assassins, Genestealers, Harlequins etc?

Take the Callidus Assassin for example:

You deploy her from reserves 1" away from enemy, shoot but cannot assault the turn she arrives. On opponent's turn he shoots, then assaults Callidus. Now normally you wouldn't care because she would attack first at initiative 7. With the new rules however the unit that assaults strikes first. That completely changes the functionality of a unit like the Callidus, which is already not a competitive choice.

Do you expect to see units with high initiative get new special rules, lower point cost or a complete rework?

Complete rework

given that apparently in multi round close combat movement speed is used to detirmine whom goes first, I expect a lot of units that had a high init are going to have higher movement scores. a genestealer for example having a move of 8 wouldn't be an issue. also I'd not be too suprised to see units that almost need an ambush to work being given rules that well.. allow it to work