Excellent post Whiterook...
Just to clarify...Starter Kit #1 is Infantry only, Russians, Germans and Americans.
Starter Kit #2 is Infantry and Guns (Anti-Tank, Anti-Aircraft, Artillery etc and Mortars) and introduces the British and Allied Minors, and Italians to the system.
I do not own Starter Kit #3 but it includes AFVs and Armored Cars and alot of the armor rules.
All nationalities have distinct "characteristics" and add different flavor to the game, for example the SS/Germans have inherent Panzerfausts which means it's not in counter form but a rule which guides the player in it's application to the game system.
The starter kits give enough rules to get players playing the basic game without including alot of rules that enhance play...one can even just play the starter kits without advancing to full ASL.
Further development is to include a "Historical SK" module to give added playability to SK players without the added complexity of ASL. New SK scenarios are included in MMP's Operations magazine available on the MMP web site.
Another aspect of learning the game is included in "virtual ASL" or VASL which is an on-line program where players can interact over the internet to play using a scenario/campaign game interface....players "move" actual virtual counters on their monitors and can interact in real time or play via Play By Electronic Email by sending log files to one another with their moves saved in the file which they can step through to react/counter their opponent's play...only caveat here is you still need to own the various modules to play on vasl, it does not include the scenario cards or rules with the vasl program. VASL is freeware and can be downloaded from VASL.org...check it out!
Great game system that is truly a master work. I'm biased of course as I play the game...but keep in mind full ASL takes a commitment if you want to advance as a player.
Regards, Paul
