Moderator's Game Review: Advanced Squad Leader

[Whiterook]

ADVANCED SQUAD LEADER


Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) is considered by many to be the pinnacle of wargaming systems to grace our lives. I would find it extremely difficult (if not impossible) to dispute that claim. But that said, I would also offer up a word to the wise straight away: Advanced Squad Leader is a very serious simulation wargame system, with a heavy monetary investment to own; even for the basic minimum of the ASL Rulebook (without binder) and a starting module of either Beyond Valor or Paratrooper, which from the publisher, Multiman Publishing (MMP), can run you some $161 (probably less if you get lucky at EBay). And this can lead to a further, substantial time commitment to work your way through the rules; in fact, you just may very well spend the rest of your life learning all of the rules, and exploring a few hundred scenarios (not including building your own scenarios), and still touch all the facets that this marvelous system has to offer the wargamer! Most gamers who play ASL are serious wargamers, and can best be classified by their oft referred to name of Grognards.

ASL is a tactical-level wargame system that simulates battles at the battalion or company sized Order of Battle (OOB) in World War II, and the surrounding timeframe. It is played with the ASL Rulebook and modules that contain the gaming components; and there are well over a dozen modules that comprise the entire ASL family. Battle is fought on hardboard maps with a hexagonal-overlaid grid for fire and movement, with card-stock playing pieces, utilizing charts and die/dice rolls to resolve battle. There are also historical modules, which utilize larger hexes; and a solitaire module (SASL) that will allow solo play through the heavy use of charts and Suspect Counters that activate into actual or dummy enemy units to contend with.

Another alternative for “breaking into the system” would be the purchase of one of the stand-alone Starter Kits, which appear to be totally self-contained, and will keep your investment well under $50, when bought from the publisher, MMP. Still serious gaming, but definitely a more laidback approach to the system. Which is better? Only you can be the judge of that…and your wallet/purse, of course.

Currently, in the Game Den of the Gaming Forum, there is an Online Interactive game of ASL being played…check it out and follow along (and join in a future game there)! And better yet, print out the Free Introduction below, and play a game in the mean time!



FREEBIE TIME!

The best web site I have found so far with a Basics Introduction to the system is found at the following:
http://www.vftt.co.uk/whatsasl.pdf
When I review a game, I like to try and provide a link to a free download sample of the game. The website above offers just such a free Introductory Guide, with a mapboard, countersheet, tables, a few overlays, and a scenario to get you gaming; of which you may build your own “test” game set to try out the system before you start plunking down significant amounts of coin to invest in your collection.



THE BASICS YOU WILL NEED TO INVEST IN TO OWN THE SYSTEM:

The Advanced Squad Leader Rulebook (2nd Edition) is generally available from Multiman Publishing for $80 ($66 without the binder, but don’t be stingy!)
MultimanPublishing.com





Beyond Valor module is now available from Multiman Publishing for $95
MultimanPublishing.com



It was the first Module to come out with the system, and in fact, you cannot play the system with just the ASL Rulebook (unless you go with one or more of the Starter Kits, see below)…this module offers boards to play on (boards 1-5, 8, 20-23), counters (the actual playing pieces, which are small cardboard chits depicting Squads, Half, Squads, Crews, Support Weapons, Vehicles, markers, etc.), ASL Scenarios (1-10, 123-136), and four 6-sided dice.



Another module was later released, by the name of Paratrooper…which is Out of Print, and will not be re-printed (so secondary market is your only option here)…and was designed to be an Introductory module; and though components of Squad Leader (SL, the predecessor to ASL) were necessary to play the entire system to that point with this module, it was still a bit of a cheaper investment (if you already owned SL, or went without the scenarios you needed that earlier version for) than just the purchase of the combined ASL Rulebook and Beyond Valor. The later release (some say re-birth of the system to acquire a new audience) of the ASL Starter Kits made this module obsolete. Paratrooper was designed to be a bridge between Squad Leader and Advanced Squad Leader, and thence used boards from Squad Leader, though two of those SL boards were later included in Paratrooper.





Starter Kit #1 brought you the basics of ASL, and tried to introduce you to the system in an easily-absorbed fashion. It’s hard to get a copy of, as MMP currently is out of stock. The distinct benefit, of what I’ve been told (I do not own it), is that it is totally self-contained! It has mapboards, counters, scenarios, charts, dice, and best of all, a 12-page rules booklet to get you playing immediately (or darned close!); from what I can tell, ownership of the ASL Rulebook is not required, and not any of the ASL modules. The point was to scale down the OOB given to deal with, and eliminate the use of the ASL Rulebook in favor of a small-page-count booklet. This could possibly be the best route into the system, but I’ve never seen it, so be warned that I can’t tell you for sure. I believe it is just Infantry, Artillery, Vehicle based.



Starter Kit #2 currently sells for $30, and adds more OOB to your lineup (specifically, GUNS, like the 88!), as well as a rules booklet, boards, and scenarios. It is another totally self-contained game, and Starter Kit #1 is NOT required to play #2. Since it is a different OOB, my guess is, this is another totally contained rule booklet; but combined with the previous Starter Kit, you’ve a much bigger OOB.



Starter Kit #3 currently sells for $34, and adds yet more OOB to your lineup (specifically, TANKS, like the German “Tiger”!), as well as a rules booklet, boards, and scenarios. It is another totally self-contained game, and Starter Kit #1 and 2 are NOT required to play #3; and with the other Starter Kits, you are now closer to the traditional ASL system played with the ASL Rulebook and Beyond Valor.


So, if you’re looking for the ultimate in board wargaming, with an established gaming record and community, this may be the one you’ve been looking for!

[Whiterook]

Some pictures of the Starter kits for you:

Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit #1


Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit #2


Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit #3

[TRDG]

Great stuff WR!! I am looking forward to more updates as you find them!!

Cheers, VERY COOL sir!!

Tom

[Witmanns_Folly]

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

[Whiterook]

Excellent Paul....thanks for the clarification, and your thoughts. It's good info to know, and I truly appreciate expanding our understanding of what's actually in the Starter Kits! Sounds like you like the concept of the starters overall? It was an excellent marketing ploy of MMP, and I hope it does the trick of drawing in new gamers to the system.

The starter kits are a great option for the beginner, from what I've deduced, but I agree with you that if a gamer thinks they may be making a commitment to the system, go whole hog! I hope you join in the next game of ASL in the Den!

I've heard good things of VASL, I really have to look into this at some point!