Fair enough, but I think that gives an extraordinary advantage to the higher level player.

i think it can be like:
no lv difference: alternating 1st turn with 1 action point.
1 or more lv difference: alternating between 1 ap and 2 ap at first turn, lower level starts first.
how does that sound?

That sounds fair. But if I am level 33, and my opponent is level 32, I am would request my opponent take 2 turns rather than alternate. I think the level difference between 32 and 33 is quite steep - just like the difference between 38 and 39.

You're right...
The best thing to do is to look at both sides' mechs and decide the first turn order... but at the same time, this is also the most difficult way...

Case-by-case situations are often hard to regulate. I think what you said about alternating 1 and 2 ap is fairest thing to do in most matches. However, I think some of us have the capacity to see when giving your opponent only 1 ap when they are beneath you is unfair.

Honestly, if in 50 matches, a level 32 were to beat my level 33 once, I would be quite shocked, so giving a level 32 2 ap in the 5 rounds sounds only fair to me.

The tournament won't be for a while.. but sign ups should be soon.. (giving everyone a chance to sign up)
Also I've thought of a unique way that benefits high level players but is fair... You'll have a while to prepare for the tournament though.. anyways.. I'll probably post this tomorrow after a few more people leave comments etc...

I think the 'who goes first' question only comes into play when mechs are equal level.
If one mech is higher level than the other, then lowe level should always start first and always with 2 actions - which is what the computer will give, as normal, right?

If they are equal level, then it would be fair to give alternate starts to each player, each starting with 1 action.
In this case, the computer may not do this and it may be arranged manually with cool down taken by players to get the 'right' alocation of starting actions.

Just to be clear; We are not talking of coding the game differently for the first round of tounament matches, are we?

In my understanding, these tournaments are still somewhat unofficial even if we got the okay from staff members to do this.

BigDaddy – as much as I do agree with you in that the most judicious way of doing any tournament would be to let the lower leveled player have 2 action points (ap) in the first turn each round, there are certainly levels where this may give a slight edge to the lower level – such as levels 22 and 23, or 23 and 24, where the difference between the two levels may average less than one ap. In this case, I would have to side with TheSingular as alternating between the first player having one ap and two aps in the first round might be a fairer way of determining the winner.