I'm starting to realize this now and it's really annoying <:3_50:> Is there something I should be upgrading in order to increase my chances of going first?
The initiative stat. If his initiative is higher, he goes first. Things that increase initiative, ordered from the highest change to lowest: - Refinement - Purification on your Refinement lol - Battle Armor - Eight Inner Gates (Initiative Rune available in shop only)
Note that Move Order also matters. Move Number 1 will always outspeed Move Number 2 and so on and so forth.
refines are the only thing that carry over into arena I believe. refines will help your initiative which in turn make you faster. Strive to get at least 165 stats(level 5 I believe) on at least 5 of your equipment.