Do I NEED to prime it?

I am hoping to have my motor running tomorrow for the first time in about a year and a half. It was broke in on a dyno so I’m not too worried about the typical first fire up stuff. However I am concerned about how long it’s been sitting. I would like to prime the oil pump but I do not have the tool needed. Would I be safe just disconnecting the fuel and turning it over until it builds oil pressure or should I force myself to wait?

Just disconnect the coil wire and turn over for about 30 seconds, until the oil pressure builds, nice if you have a mechanical oil pressure gauge

Totally agree with pulling the plugs and cranking till the pressure comes up.
Pulling the plugs first will take all that compression pressure of your lower end bearings while cranking.
Motors don't just dry out when they have not been run for a long time, and you'd be surprised how much is still hanging around on the bearings.