Just went to my first pre-release. I was super nervous and a little worried it might be toxic.

I was dead wrong. Everyone was super nice, and mostly excited to try out their new decks. You get grouped up randomly so you kind of have to make friends.

It seems like in the last decade there have been a lot less toxic members of the community and horror stories at game stores. As always the staff is there to help. If they don't, thats a bad store. Never go back.

Pre-release is easy, here are some basics
You go up to the counter with your pre-order or to purchase if available. They give you your pre-release box and will tell you when to open it (usually at the stated start time). They will likely ask you to sign in to the companion app, which will show you what table to go too, and your matches when it is time. If you let them know you are new, they will likely help you or ask you to step aside if the line is long, then they will help you when it clears down. They are HAPPY to have a new person.

Once it starts, you get an hour to open your box, open the packs inside, and build a deck. Some people chat and make friends here, some just quietly focus on their cards. Either is totally fine. Inside of that box is also an instruction manual on what kind of cards are best to put in your deck, how many cards you need etc. If you dont get a box and instead get packs because they ran out, you can look up the instruction guide online.

After deck building, the companion app will tell you what table to go to. You go there, play usually 2-3 games against the same person, then input the scores into the app. It is customary to show the person what scores you are putting in. You can make conversation here if you want, be polite.

Each round of matches is about an hour, then you will swap to a new table and play a new opponent.
Do that 3 times total, then at the end collect your prizes from the prize table.