As far as I see it is the same on Tactician and Classic. It is really different compared to the EA because it generally makes the attribute Wits unimportant. I increase it on one char (Summoner) to go first, then it is in alternating order you-AI.

Which is not bad game design in itself because it prevents the whole PC group going first all the time, as I had it in the EA. Because of the new mechanic I actually lost a fight one time on Classic, the Dallis encounter on the ship. The coming Battletech Mech turn based game uses the same alternating order, it's the way of greatest fairness.