This is such a non-issue primarily because it's a fairly common occurrence. If you haven't ever mistakenly done this or had it mistakenly done by your opponent then chances are you are fairly new to the game. Generally people know that these things are mistakes and they roll with it. If you have an opponent that seems to be blatantly doing this (or a number of other more significant things) then you should say something and/or call the TO over. If said player is pulling something the TO should know. If they repeatedly pull stuff and have been warned then the TO can disqualify them from the tournament if it continues.

That is the only way you can handle this type of situation. Minor accidental transgressions are impossible to avoid. Expect it to happen and deal with it if someone is being shady. You can tell the difference.

You cannot go into a tournament setting up some sort of ground rules warning people that these common types of accidents will warrant punishment. You are creating a tense and unenjoyable atmosphere for no reason.

I usually just put the dials on the ship cards, which makes things easier.

The only major tournament SNAFU I've been involved in was during Regionals last year. There was a huge crowd so the games were wedged in pretty tight without much elbow room. In the middle of the game, I notice the guy next to me drawing off of my Damage Deck (which I had at the edge of my play space). It was totally an accident and understandable given people didn't necessarily have the space to set up how they like, but it was pretty frustrating given that my opponent and I were likely to go to time. We had to stop both games, count out our decks making sure to preserve which damage was already on my ships, and basically figure out how to untangle the mess. In the end, my game went to time and ended in a tie...

It happens especially on mirror matches. Which is why the competitive ruling is that in mirror matches all ships are tagged and dials are placed on the pilot card instead of on the mat next to the ship.

This really should be how every game is played. We started this way then got yelled at a local tournament. Then of course with stress meta (Tycho I'm looking at you), 3-5 target locks on one ship etc. there is a huge mess of tokens on the board. We originally played so that all these tokens are on the pilot cards they are used on but were told that is somehow cheating.

With small lists of 2 ships it works well on the board but if both players are flying larger lists the tokens and dials on the board seem like the worst solution. Why cant tournaments handle a designated area for pilot cards and tokens/dials that correspond to them?

It happens especially on mirror matches. Which is why the competitive ruling is that in mirror matches all ships are tagged and dials are placed on the pilot card instead of on the mat next to the ship.

This really should be how every game is played. We started this way then got yelled at a local tournament. Then of course with stress meta (Tycho I'm looking at you), 3-5 target locks on one ship etc. there is a huge mess of tokens on the board. We originally played so that all these tokens are on the pilot cards they are used on but were told that is somehow cheating.

Tokens need to be next to the ship they are for. Your opponent should be able to glance at the board to get that information and not have to try to figure out which tokens on which cards belong to each ship.

With small lists of 2 ships it works well on the board but if both players are flying larger lists the tokens and dials on the board seem like the worst solution. Why cant tournaments handle a designated area for pilot cards and tokens/dials that correspond to them?

I actually find the reverse to be true. The more ships you have on the table, the more of a pain in the ass it is to have to keep track of tokens that aren't on the board. I've got enough crap to keep track of in my head during a long day at a tournament. I don't want to have to keep my opponent's token situation straight on top of that.

Usually if I have any doubt of dial placement, I'll pick up the dial. While it is still turned over I'll place my finger on the gap for the manuever showing area, ask my opponent which dial it says it is. If its a mirror ship, I just wait till my activation, do the same, call the manuever, show it to my opponent, if it matches I'm good, if not I'll just put it down and find the one that it does.

I'm a very laid back player. Don't get me wrong, I play to win but I keep things pretty loose. It's way more fun for me that way. That being said, if my opponent placed his tokens on his cards instead of on or near his ships I would ask them not to. And I'm pretty cool with most things. Dials on cards, sure. Tokens? No way.

I'm a very laid back player. Don't get me wrong, I play to win but I keep things pretty loose. It's way more fun for me that way. That being said, if my opponent placed his tokens on his cards instead of on or near his ships I would ask them not to. And I'm pretty cool with most things. Dials on cards, sure. Tokens? No way.

I don't mind it so much if someone's got Tycho or a ship with Moldy Crow equipped and wants to keep those particular tokens stacked on the card. Outside of cases like that, keep'em where everyone can easily tell who has what.

A cautionary advisement to those wearing sunglasses perched on their head. Watched someone lose theirs over the table and scatter 3 ships, breaking one off its peg.

I find the responses were varied and it helped me decide how to deal with this issue.

I made the penalty a simple warning with judges prerogative to upgrade if he/she believes the infraction is not a mistake, but in that case it becomes cheating, which is covered as a conduct infraction.

I place mine on my pilot cards, so this is a non-issue for me.

This. Especially if it's the same faction

I do this every once in awhile. The other part of my habit is that once I pick up a dial, I start spinning it without looking down, while I'm still examining the board. On about 6 different occasions, I've picked up an enemy dial after they set it, started spinning it without looking down, then had to explain myself while apologizing profusely.

A think it's a testament to "fly casual" and the X-Wing community in general that despite what a boneheaded blunder this is, none of my opponents have ever taken serious issue with this or felt the need to call a judge.

I'm working on doing better.

I'm an extremely forgiving player but this would drive me crazy because it's SO WEIRD. So weird that you almost have to assume there's some sort of disguised gamesmanship/malice behind it.

At the same time I love weirdos, so best wishes to you in all your future endeavours.

Placing the dial near the ship in question is difficult once a furball is achieved.

During the TIE Swarm era, it was discovered that TIE Fighters can wear the dials like sombreros. Certain other ships should be encouraged to do this as well.

Large-based ships can support the dial on the base proper, and should be encouraged to do this

And, as ever, placing dials on the ship's card is a convenient, though technically extra-legal, option. House-rule the allowance of this, definitely.

A cautionary advisement to those wearing sunglasses perched on their head. Watched someone lose theirs over the table and scatter 3 ships, breaking one off its peg.

I'll one up you on that: last tournament I went to, I saw someone's glasses fall off his head, land square on his own heavily repainted Y-wing and snap both the pegs and the Y-wing itself in two.

So yeah, put the sunglasses away, fellas.

A cautionary advisement to those wearing sunglasses perched on their head. Watched someone lose theirs over the table and scatter 3 ships, breaking one off its peg.

I'll one up you on that: last tournament I went to, I saw someone's glasses fall off his head, land square on his own heavily repainted Y-wing and snap both the pegs and the Y-wing itself in two.

So yeah, put the sunglasses away, fellas.

I can one up both of you guys.

Was playing X-Wing in someone's basement. My friend went to go pull a piece of cardboard out of the vent above the game and the vent fell out of the ceiling and smashed 3 red interceptors.

VENT TOO OP BAN PLS

A cautionary advisement to those wearing sunglasses perched on their head. Watched someone lose theirs over the table and scatter 3 ships, breaking one off its peg.

I'll one up you on that: last tournament I went to, I saw someone's glasses fall off his head, land square on his own heavily repainted Y-wing and snap both the pegs and the Y-wing itself in two.

So yeah, put the sunglasses away, fellas.

I can one up both of you guys.

Was playing X-Wing in someone's basement. My friend went to go pull a piece of cardboard out of the vent above the game and the vent fell out of the ceiling and smashed 3 red interceptors.

VENT TOO OP BAN PLS

Arguably, a vent took out the Death Star.

A cautionary advisement to those wearing sunglasses perched on their head. Watched someone lose theirs over the table and scatter 3 ships, breaking one off its peg.

I'll one up you on that: last tournament I went to, I saw someone's glasses fall off his head, land square on his own heavily repainted Y-wing and snap both the pegs and the Y-wing itself in two.

So yeah, put the sunglasses away, fellas.

I can one up both of you guys.

Was playing X-Wing in someone's basement. My friend went to go pull a piece of cardboard out of the vent above the game and the vent fell out of the ceiling and smashed 3 red interceptors.

VENT TOO OP BAN PLS

Arguably, a vent took out the Death Star.

The fact that I could keep the exhaust port the size of a womp rat should earn me some goddamn respect around here!

Placing the dial near the ship in question is difficult once a furball is achieved.

During the TIE Swarm era, it was discovered that TIE Fighters can wear the dials like sombreros. Certain other ships should be encouraged to do this as well.

Large-based ships can support the dial on the base proper, and should be encouraged to do this

And, as ever, placing dials on the ship's card is a convenient, though technically extra-legal, option. House-rule the allowance of this, definitely.

In a mirror match it's actually allowed by the tournament rules.