How do Strength, Instinct, Intelligence and Initiative work in Dragonfire?

The 4 combat stats form a triangle, confirmed on every Order's own text:

• Physical damage 🩸: raised by Strength (attacker), cut by Instinct (defender).
• Fire damage 🔥: raised by Intelligence, cut by Initiative.
• Tactical damage 💜: raised by Instinct, cut by Intelligence.
• Initiative also sets the turn order: who strikes first.

The most powerful lever isn't raising your own stats, it's lowering the enemy's defensive stat: that multiplies one damage type for your entire army, not just for one dragon. Which is exactly why Debuffers (Hunters) are worth their weight in gold.