Initiative (Final Fantasy VIII)

Initiative is a support ability that lets the user start all battles with full ATB gauge, allowing them to act first.
==Obtained==
Initiative is learned by Pandemona, Cactuar, Tonberry for 160 AP. Pandemona is drawn from the wind-attuned boss at Balamb Hotel or Red Giant in the final dungeon. Cactuar is recruited by defeating Jumbo Cactuar on Cactuar Island reachable on a flying transport. Tonberry is recruited by defeating Tonberry King at Centra Ruins after felling his brethren in great enough numbers.
If the player removes Initiative with Amnesia Greens, there is no way to get it back.
==Mechanics==
Initiative has the user start battles with full ATB, allowing them to act first and hopefully before enemies. It works in back attacks when enemies also start with full ATB; the enemy may still act first in back attacks as the player will still need manual input. 
==Use==
Initiative is good in random encounters to speed up battles, but is less useful in battles that are expected to last multiple rounds, like bosses. Initiative is good on Quistis to use Degenerator before the enemy has a chance to act, or for any low health character to immediately unleash their Limit Break.
Good use cases are against Cactuars to act before they flee, against Tonberries at Centra Ruins when luring for the king (HP Critical Irvine with Initiative and AP Ammo is a good combination for this), against tough foes such as at Deep Sea Research Center and Islands Closest to Heaven and Hell (especially against Malboros, to act before their Bad Breath), and in forced back attacks, such as against the Ruby Dragons before Bahamut.
The player can also equip Alert to remove back attacks from random encounters, but set back attacks will still happen.
As Initiative takes a valuable support ability slot, the player may prefer to use the superior Auto-Haste instead to get every turn fast. Along with Spd-J and Spd+% abilities, the character will take their turns incredibly fast even without Initiative.
Category:Support abilities in Final Fantasy VIII