User blog comment:CrestCardMagic/Second Buddyfight Experience/@comment-4784241-20140125065634

Yeah, I made that comment earlier that going first seems to be a heavy downside, imo. In Vanguard it was pretty even, though I'd say the edge is usually on the person who goes first for that added defense earlier. But in this game, not only does the 1st player skip their draw phase for that turn, but the only get to make one attack. Meanwhile the turn two player gets to attack as much as they want and they get to draw a card.

Now, you do get to possibly get your gauge up faster by going first, but really that's the only advantage. And it's not much of one.