I recently started playing X-Wing but have found my local scene rather lacking in competitive level, so I have registered to compete in World's this year. This may very well be my first tournament, because the local players do not seem interested in shelling out a small amount of money for a tournament. Being that this may be my first taste of high competition, I am wondering how things work at the table. Would I announce any triggers that occur, such as a Predator or Lone Wolf re-roll? I do watch a lot of tournament videos online and frequently see the competitors shake hands before the match. Is this also standard practice? Thank you for any input. I already know that I will most likely be overwhelmed when I step into that room, but I do not want to look like a total rookie

Shaking hands after the match is considered on the level of chewing with your mouth closed. Doing so before the match isn't quite as common, but a lot of people I've talked to actually consider it more important than shaking hands afterwords.

I recently started playing X-Wing but have found my local scene rather lacking in competitive level, so I have registered to compete in World's this year. This may very well be my first tournament, because the local players do not seem interested in shelling out a small amount of money for a tournament. Being that this may be my first taste of high competition, I am wondering how things work at the table. Would I announce any triggers that occur, such as a Predator or Lone Wolf re-roll? I do watch a lot of tournament videos online and frequently see the competitors shake hands before the match. Is this also standard practice? Thank you for any input. I already know that I will most likely be overwhelmed when I step into that room, but I do not want to look like a total rookie

Yes you announce your triggers especially since most of them are optional.

Shaking hands is and wishing each other a good game is just good sportsmanship and in my 3 years playing I've never played a single game where I didn't shake hands with my opponent and wish them luck.

Keep watching high level games to see what good players do and how they fly their lists. Keep your expecations realistic. Not having played in a tournament before, you may not do as well as you think. No matter how well you fly, plan moves, or take actions, this is still a dice game at the end and remember that. Try to bring a list that gives you dice advantage(rerolls for attack or defence, abilities, etc.)

Play the list and learn how to play against different lists with it.

Don't listen to the folks that may mock you if you decide to use a turret ship like a decimator, Ywing with tlt, YT2400, YT1300, Kwing or HWK 290. They are in the game for a reason so use them if you like them. Some of those are among the best ships in the game with the right pilot and options on them.

Have Fun!

Just relax and enjoy yourself. X-Wing tournaments aren't serious business. You're there to play with toy spaceships.

Introduce yourself to your opponent and wish them good luck if that's what you feel like doing. I shake hands after every match. I compliment my opponents on good moves and laugh when my dice come up blank. It's like that for most players, I think.

It's good form to let your opponents know what you're doing, and to ask your opponents what they're doing if it isn't clear. Just talk through your actions the first couple of times you do them, and you won't have to keep reminding your opponent.

You know, it's possible to run tournaments without spending any money. A quick three-round tournament can be a lot of fun and you can do it on a weeknight at your local game shop if you have six players or so. You don't need any prizes. The experience alone is worth it.

Pace yourself. Even if it means saying aloud each phase as you enter it. I had to do this with the Ysanne crew card, so I would stop forgetting to use her at the appropriate time.

If you're going to go out of your way to go to worlds, I'd fly something that's fun to play and not Soontir Deci list #70.

In my area we have a lot of good players who play Fat Turreteing lists and a lot of okay/bad players that netdeck those lists. It'd not uncommon for me to show up to a game day with 4-5 other people and me be the only one not flying a fat turret or two.

So I don't personally see the point of going to worlds just to face the same obnoxious game ruining lists and/or play them yourself over and over ad nauseam because that's every weekly $5 tournament for me already.

I can still derive joy from playing a non-meta list against a fat Turretwing list. I'd much rather see how far I could get with an 8 TIE Swarm or 5 Autothruster Alphas or my XXXX list with quad R7's than to just meaninglessly maneuver my dumb fat turret around as if I'm not going to have a shot on anything and dice my way to the top like a child with ice cream smeared on his face.

Tournaments are great fun, but as said don't go in there expecting to win too much

-I always shake before the game and wish my opponent luck, it's a good way to start.

-Check the opponent has finished any actions etc before revealing your next dial, it's polite and stops people taking advantage of this to suddenly choose to boost (only had this happen once though)

-Practice with your list, be clear on what the rules governing your ships/abilities are. Check the FAQ to see if there is anything affecting you.

-Have fun. Laugh at your dice, commiserate with your opponent over their dice.

-Don't fly off the table; mucho embarrassment

Don't listen to the folks that may mock you if you decide to use a turret ship like a decimator, Ywing with tlt, YT2400, YT1300, Kwing or HWK 290. They are in the game for a reason so use them if you like them. Some of those are among the best ships in the game with the right pilot and options on them.

This is good advice, because sometimes people react like this;

If you're going to go out of your way to go to worlds, I'd fly something that's fun to play and not Soontir Deci list #70.

In my area we have a lot of good players who play Fat Turreteing lists and a lot of okay/bad players that netdeck those lists. It'd not uncommon for me to show up to a game day with 4-5 other people and me be the only one not flying a fat turret or two.

So I don't personally see the point of going to worlds just to face the same obnoxious game ruining lists and/or play them yourself over and over ad nauseam because that's every weekly $5 tournament for me already.

I can still derive joy from playing a non-meta list against a fat Turretwing list. I'd much rather see how far I could get with an 8 TIE Swarm or 5 Autothruster Alphas or my XXXX list with quad R7's than to just meaninglessly maneuver my dumb fat turret around as if I'm not going to have a shot on anything and dice my way to the top like a child with ice cream smeared on his face.

But most people don't. My first tournament I took a Fat Han type list, as I was still learning the game. No-one gave me any flak for it.

RoV

Popular rebel propaganda would have you believe that it is better for you to "let the wookie win". I would point you in a different direction: the swarm will rise again. Play swarm. Win on pure numbers and your own ability to control those numbers. Nothing else would be as satisfying in this game ever. Ever. As the lowly Academy Pilot taking swarm to worlds during his virgin campaign and taking home the gold for the empire.

Now that's propaganda film worthy!

-I always shake before the game and wish my opponent luck, it's a good way to start.

I always get the shakes before a drop.

One of my favourite first lines. 8-).

Try to engage with your opponent in small talk, but don't distract her when she's planning moves.

Don't eat at the table, play with your phone or get drinks anywhere near the field. Not without clearing it with your opponent first.

Check before going to the toilet, pick the best times for that.

Be nice, don't be a ****, but don't be a doormat either. Remember, if they forget a trigger, it's within your right to deny it to them (and vice versa), and if they cry about 'Fly Casual' then they themselves aren't flying casual.

All in all, have fun, make jokes, have a good time. Fly something you feel confident with, whether it's Vader and/or Soontir, fat Han, or some crazy star viper list. Don't let the internet shame you into doing something.

personal hygiene, and a relatively good knowledge of the star wars universe for general banter helps
Fly Casual but dot let them walk over you, e.g if some one forgets an action 1 time ok i'll let it slide. If they forget it again sorry mate gave you chance already.

If you aren't 100% certain about something ask for a judge, some people will try to "find" loop holes in the rules or my have another interpretation.