Obviously in casual games it's to your benefit to have your opponent aware of your squads capabilities because they will test your list and find weaknesses that help you with strategy. But at a store championship level or above should you tell your opponent how your squad works or just inform them what pilots and upgrades you are running.

Had one player who was unaware of how the stresshog functions fly his whisper into its arc, then get surprised that he now had two stress to deal with. Had another player who wasn't aware of Biggs' ability and was upset that they couldn't pick their choice of target. In both games I told them what my list contained and asked if they wanted anymore information or if they knew how those cards worked. This was a casual tournament with prizes at stake but in the interest of flying casual I took the time out to stop and explain the cards and we played on.

I ask because I will be attending my first store championship soon and want to have an idea of how much I should tell my opponent about my list beyond what I have. Is there any obligation to explain synergies or card effects or should I just say that's what I'm flying, make of it what you will.

Unless I'm playing someone I know has little experience I generally just tell them the pilots and upgrades that I have and they can ask about any they are unsure of.

If you're running some strange complicated combination of upgrades it's probably nice to ask if they'd like a explanation of how they all hang together though.

If I don't know what a particular card does I take a look at the card.

If I say I'm flying such and such, it is up to the opponent to ask me "what does she do again?". I'll happily talk about it.

No questions asked, no explanations given.

If they seem new I usually do, but it's up to you.

In a Tournament perhaps the best option is to display your cards " by the book " and very, very clear

Then, if the other player does not look your cards and is ignorant of your options, his mistake.

It depends on how cheesy it is. This isn't 40k where everyone knows how annoying Knight/Riptide spam, but I certainly haven't looked at every combo.

I typically show my opponent the cards I'm running, then ask "Do you want me to explain any combos or interactions?"

Your only requirement is a brief rundown of what you're fielding. "I've got this guy, and he's got this mod and this EPT, etc."

But there's nothing secretive about the game, as all of your cards are on the table for the setup and remain in view for the duration of the game. If your opponent has to ask about them, just tell him to come to your side of the table and read them for himself. I understand the Stresshog might be a new one for some folks, but Biggs? He's been around for a long time, and it's all on his card. Clearly, these players were quite new to the game.

At a recent non-sanctioned tournament last week I played a guy with a few weeks' experience in the game, and explained to him all my combos and what I was going to attempt against him. Still managed to pull most of it off. Also played our national champ and a strong local player, top 4 in the state regional last year. They didn't need anything more than to know my cards in order to crush me. At a sanctioned tournament I wouldn't expect you would have to explain anything to anyone, but it may be polite to offer that to new players.

Your only requirement is a brief rundown of what you're fielding. "I've got this guy, and he's got this mod and this EPT, etc."

At a recent non-sanctioned tournament last week I played a guy with a few weeks' experience in the game, and explained to him all my combos and what I was going to attempt against him. Still managed to pull most of it off. Also played our national champ and a strong local player, top 4 in the state regional last year. They didn't need anything more than to know my cards in order to crush me. At a sanctioned tournament I wouldn't expect you would have to explain anything to anyone, but it may be polite to offer that to new players.

Pretty much sums up my thinking on the matter.

Explain a combo if asked. Check that they are aware of how some cards work if they are new. But no need to go into extensive detail in a competitive setting.

My policy is that I will gloss over what my cards do at the beginning, unless asked, but explain in detail what is happening when a combo goes off. I've had two people call over a Judge about Drea Renthal's ability, but it works.

Show them your cards and read off what each one does. They then have all the information that they need.

I'm still somewhat new (or rather old and just returning). I generally ask to read the opponents cards and/or movement dials if I am unsure of what is what; and at the same time offer them the same opportunity.

I have done this a few times when needed and, once or twice, I have let my opponents know that although they might beat me in this match, they will never truly win so long as I have access to the internet. This is really helped if I have already made a note of their license plate number or know their mum's eye color.

Sometimes I discuss certain rules/FAQ entries/clarifications before the game starts, to prevent discussions when the issue arises. But I try not to give away specific combos, not in casual play, basically never. It's too much fun to spring some nasty surprise!

I typically show my opponent the cards I'm running, then ask "Do you want me to explain any combos or interactions?"

I think this is the best. You tell them what you have and ask them if they want to know more info about any of them. If they don't say anything, then it's on them. You don't have to give them all the tricks that you are planning, but basically telling them all the abilities if they don't know and want to know is proper.

I'll give a brief rundown, pass my list over for them to look at, and answer any questions.

This is a game of skill, I want to test mine against theirs, not a gotcha game or a memory test.

No matter how many times I get to glory in saying 'nope' when people try to mod dice against Omega Leader :V

I hand my opponent my list; ask if he's familiar with the stuff. if not, I'm happy to explain everything.

if the guy is new to the game (and hasn't proven to be an a.ss, which thankfully the fewest of xwing-gamers are), I'll tell him about the synergies and what to look out for and in general all the important stuff that is NOT written into the list. etc

I play to have fun, -even- in a store-champ etc., and I like to bring my part to make the game enjoyable for the both of us.

still, I'm okay with having a "stick to the rules, cutthroat game".

if I run into one of these (very rare) guys with a cutthroat-mindset AND a bad attitude.. well, here's my list, let's get the game started. let's finish quickly, so I can have some more enjoyable games, later.

casual and friendly across/around the table, fight with no holds barred on the table -> a good game.

My policy is that I will gloss over what my cards do at the beginning, unless asked, but explain in detail what is happening when a combo goes off. I've had two people call over a Judge about Drea Renthal's ability, but it works.

Out of interest, what was the reason for this card to be checked by a judge? Seems pretty clear to me but I'm probably missing something?

thanks

In both games I told them what my list contained and asked if they wanted anymore information or if they knew how those cards worked.

This is the extent of what I would expect out of my opponents. I would also recommend handing them your actual list sheet.

My policy is that I will gloss over what my cards do at the beginning, unless asked, but explain in detail what is happening when a combo goes off. I've had two people call over a Judge about Drea Renthal's ability, but it works.

Out of interest, what was the reason for this card to be checked by a judge? Seems pretty clear to me but I'm probably missing something?

thanks

Mainly that I'm using it to fire a torpedo, AND reroll the attack dice, AND reroll defence dice with R4B11, in a single shot.

I told them what my list contained and asked if they wanted anymore information or if they knew how those cards worked.

Right here. This is where your responsibility ends, IMO. If they didn't want more information, then that's on them. You gave them the opportunity.

My policy is that I will gloss over what my cards do at the beginning, unless asked, but explain in detail what is happening when a combo goes off. I've had two people call over a Judge about Drea Renthal's ability, but it works.

Out of interest, what was the reason for this card to be checked by a judge? Seems pretty clear to me but I'm probably missing something?

thanks

Mainly that I'm using it to fire a torpedo, AND reroll the attack dice, AND reroll defence dice with R4B11, in a single shot.

It's a lot of self-stressing but it works.

Y-wings, does anyone ever use their red manoeuvres and actions?

Not on a stresshog at any rate.

Wometimes a K turn on a regular Y is called for.

I've had to explain interactions before, and I regularly have to explain ordnance interactions because it's used so infrequently here. The incident with Blount and Advanced Homing Missile is a perfect example (and also required a judge call because they weren't convinced). Ditto the week of the Raider launch when I took AC Tempests with Cluster Missiles.

Other than that, people seem happy to just get the synopsis and run from there.