So tomorrow I am participating in my first Regional. I was wondering what kind of processes, tips, taboos or superstitions people have when preparing for an event.

Prepare for food and drink ahead of time. Dehydration, low blood sugar and caffeine withdrawal eliminate as many people from top half as top players do.

My advice is to try to sit down a few times. My legs were killing me for the rest of the evening because I stood for a few hours straight.

Ya you may not even notice but you'll be standing a lot. Sit when ya can

can. (opponent attacking, or waiting on opponent, or just attacking in general etc etc)

Go over the faq and have a clear understanding of the rules (if your new or casual)

I usually pack a sandwich and bring fruit and water, and try to avoid sugary drinks, (but I need coffee lol)

I like to take everything with me because there is always something I forget

I leave everything I don't need in the car and take a small case that can carry everything you need for you build including tokens cards etc (I used a glad tupperware container)

At the end of the game you can easily throw everything in it and move to your next seat with little downtime cleaning and resetting up

Keeping it all I'm one place makes it easier when switching tables and setting up

Just have fun and enjoy the day.

However, don't feel intimated if you got paired up against someone who wants to argue over every rule or ability (very rare but they are out there.)

There are a very small number who will try anything to win

Don't be afraid to call a T.O over, and don't worry. For the most part, I usually find it a good crowd with good people, but In the off chance you do run into that guy. If you have any doubt don't be afraid to act on it.

I know some that since it was their first would keep quiet and afterwards realize they should have called T.O over, but by then it's too late

But honestly that is very rare occurrence, so just have fun

Drink lots of water throughout the day.

I usually nurse a 5 hour energy or two over the day but drink it very slowly. Like a sip per round. Food when possible helps too

Drink a lot of water the day before to build up you fluid levels it helps a lot if you don't get time to drink much on the day

Have your ships, cards and upgrade cards prepared the night before, don’t rush it in them morning. Have penalty of time to get to the location. Also have fun and enjoy the day.

Pretty sure some on here do lots of Kegel exercises to get ready.... you know who you are!

also make sure you can compress your army for easy pickup. Like when pairings are called you can have your go box in hand with ships, dials, cards, and just go to your next spot. Just convenient.

No shortcuts. Make sure you do all the things in the right order or your opponent make call you on, like a missed FCS or something.

Breath. If you're getting a bit worked up. Stop. Focus. Breath. Then go back to it. It's a long day so don't kid yourself you'll have 100% flawless games. Just center yourself and keep at it.

Play what you know and how you know it.

Finally, there are going to good players there. Great players. Don't let that discourage you. Play to have fun.

Sleep the night before.

And when that fails, use the opportunity between matches to sit, close your eyes, and take a three minute micro nap.

I didn't have to do this, but I was prepared to: if you get in an unwinnable position early in one of the mid-tournament games, don't be afraid to just concede and buy yourself a half hour to go get food, clear your mind and recharge.

Wander the floor when your match ends early and just soak it in. You're getting to participate in an amazing Union of Geekery!

I stop playing competitive X-Wing the week leading up to the tournament, and if I do play, I play some dumb and fun list or some alternate format like a furball or something like that. I find that on the day of the tournament, I feel refreshed and relaxed. I realize this won't work for everybody, but it has worked for me.