How much init depends on what server cluster you are in. Cross server arena use the same brackets as matsuri and spacetime. If you are stuck with double digit servers, you'll need a lot more init than if the oldest server in your group is in the 300s.

For the OP, what likely happened is that you had a glitch and cross server failed to activate. If you are in the cross server que, the whirlpool circle should appear twice when you que up. If it appeared only once, then cross server did not activate. This post was last edited by IamAscrub at 2017-5-23 06:59