Beyond Valor v3 Unboxing

I can't believe someone hasn't made one of these yet, but here it is. Beyond Valor is the first module in the Advanced Squad Leader system (ASL).

I thought it was pretty much a straight reprint, but Jonathan replied on YT that following changes were made:

ASL Korea

Another announcement today -

http://www.multimanpublishing.com/Products/tabid/58/ProductID/333/Default.aspx

I'm actually looking forward to this. Haven't studied Korea much. I have a Dvd series that I guess I will now watch with renewed interest.

ASLSK S8 Ad Hoc at Chef-Du-Pont - US Turn 1

Trying some ASLSK S8 to get back into the system after a hiatus...basically trying to determine if I want to go all in.

Anyway, US T-1: 10-2 wounds as he moves in open ground Z1 from MMG in Q6. German squad in W6 building reduces and routs to V6

ATS or ASL, That is the Question?

I was asked on Google+ why play ATS instead of ASL. My answer, though a bit of a waffle.

The ATS Armor rules are slightly easier. Rules are "only" 74 pages (2 column). Biggest reason, impulse turns instead of the more detailed sequence of play. New initiative rolls during the 3 phases of a turn. Plays a little faster.

There are a couple of ATS players locally which is nice. But there's also quite a set of ASL players as well.

The ASL rules seem more stable (on v2 with errata for sure) while ATS is on 4.4 and has undergone big changes to various systems throughout the years.

Some thoughts on the issue. It's a tough market for him. There's a complicated tactical game out there (ASL) and it's the go to game for the reasons I mention below. If someone wants an easier game there are better (ie easier, more accessible, etc.) to choose from that are also less expensive and easier to get. So why would one choose ATS?

I say all that as I'm considering getting some more ASL Kit as well. 

ASL is more popular and more players can be found around the world. 

ASL is better supported by the fan base. ATS is slightly more expensive (I've not done math here, just eyeballing it.)

Critical Hit can be tough to understand. But the couple of times I've emailed Ray(owner) and bought from his site, the experience has been fine. I know there are a lot of strong opinions of him floating around the web. He definitely has his detractors.

I'm riding the very expensive fence at the moment.

Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) Beginner Scenario List

This list was just posted on BGG from Gamesquad (what a chain) of good starting scenarios for full ASL or Advanced Squad Leader.

Returning to ASL

ASL 1 - Fighting Withdrawal

ASL 13 - Le Manoir

ASL 45 - Revenge at Kastelli

ASL 48 - Always Audacity

ASL 49 - Piercing the Peel

ASL 55 - Retribution

A 14 - Monastery Hill

A 27 - King's Castle

A 33 - Tettau's Attack

A 80 - Commando Schenke

Scenario A - Guards Counterattack

Scenario B - Tractor Works

Scenario D - Hedgehog of Piepsk

Scenario T1 - Gavin Take

Scenario T14 - Gambit

Scenario T16 - Strayer's Strays

J 40 - Might Makes Right

J 41 - By Ourselves

ASL 101: BASIC INFANTRY

1 - Fighting Withdrawal (BV)

11 - Defiance On Hill 30 (Para)

A - The Guards Counterattack (Classic ASL)

T 1 - Gavin Take (Classic ASL)

G 35 - Going To Church (General 31.2)

RB 6 - Turned Away (Red Barricades)

A 80 - Commando Schenke (Annual '95w)

AP 8 - A Bloody Harvest (AP #1)

D 1 - Guryev's Headquarters (SoF)

ASL 103: VEHICLES

T 2 - The Puma Prowls (Classic ASL)

35 - Blazin' Chariots (WoA)

A 44 - Blocking Action At Lipki (Annual '92)

23 - Under The Noel Trees (Yanks)

F - The Paw Of The Tiger (Classic ASL)

A 51 - Clash Along The Psel (Annual '93a)

ASL 104: CAVALRY

90 - Pride And Joy (DB)

SP? - Over Open Sights (Schwerpunkt #3)

ASL 112: OBA

D - The Hedgehog Of Piepsk (Classic ASL)

E - Hill 621 (Classic ASL)

A 59 - Death At Carentan (Annual '93a)

T 7 - Hill 253.5 (General 27.3)

ASLUG 20 - The Butcher's Bill (ASLUG ?)

L - Hitdorf On The Rhine (General 25.2)

ASL 123: NIGHT

61 - Shoestring Ridge (CoB)

H - Escape From Velikye Luki (Classic ASL)

20 - Taking The Left Tit (Yanks)

TOT 8 - Nightmare (Time On Target 1)

A 19 - Cat And Mouse (Annual '90)

BB 2 - Throwing Down The Gauntlet (Backblast 1)

DA 11 - Sicilian Midnight (Annual '93a)

TOT 18 - The Aller Waltz (Time On Target 2)

40 - Fort McGregor (WoA)

ASL 125: DESERT

35 - Blazin' Chariots (WoA)

37 - Khamsin (WoA)

38 - Escape From Derna (WoA)

41 - A Bridgehead Too Wet (WoA)

CH 49 - High Danger (Critical Hit 4) or the VFTT website

ASL 126: PTO

A 60 - Totsugeki! (Annual '93a)

67 - Cibik's Ridge (GH)

A 53 - Smith & Weston (Annual '93a)

A 58 - Munda Mash (Annual '93a)

63 - The Eastern Gate (CoB)

60 - On The Kokoda Trail (CoB)

A 42 - Commando Hunt (Annual '92)

CH 28 - Children Of The Kunai (Critical Hit! 3)

A 83 - Last Of Their Strength (Annual '95w)

ASL 191: BEACH LANDINGS

A 55 - The Cat has Jumped (Annual '93a)

73 - Hell or High Water (GH)

A 79 - Mike Red (nnual '95w)

[Issue 21 of View From The Trenches features an article on beach landings which may be useful for beginniers]

ASL 291: CAVES

BB 1 - Taming Tulagi (Backblast 1/OWT)

72 - Sea of Tranquility (GH)

Link to the BGG post where there are some other links.

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1318320/suggestions-please-best-beginner-scenarios

ASLSK S21 Sorta AAR

How's that for a bunch of initials, acronyms, etc? Ridiculous, but fitting considering the game I'm playing. Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit. The 28 page rulebook has 2.5 pages of abbreviations and definitions ranging from:

A#: APCR (Armor Piercing Composite Rigid) depletion number.
to
X#: Breakdown number of a FT, DC, BAZ, or PSK (weapon is not reapirable) (4.0).

Even one of the definitions has 4 abbreviations in it. Love it. By the way, there are also 6 pages of examples and a one page content/introduction, so 19 pages of rules. Triple column pages, but still "only" 19.

I've finally taken the plunge to learn armor in ASLSK. It's kind of crazy, the biggest part that holds me up - keeping track of how many MP (Movement Points) a vehicle's been seen by an opposing vehicle. This number of MP expended affects the shot. In addition, you really need a way to keep track of the MP used because there are so many different things that can happen during movement.

I'm beginning to think it's the complexity that is drawing me a bit. I've tinkered with OCS, TCS, and read rules to GMT's East Front Series, but I come back to this. But we shall see. Thing is, if you go full ASL, there's even more.

Another potential issue is the "motion", "non-stopped", and "moving" discussion with vehicles...though I think I may have an understanding of this, sort of.

Anyway, Eddy, created a wonderful document, found on Board Game Geek, that is a walk through of an armor game. He's also made them for some of the other ASLSK games. I'm currently going through it step by step to understand the rules. He does an amazing job of stopping and explaining things. This is why I say it's sort of an AAR, I'm not really playing it, but will continue to discuss it as I go. It's tedious, but I feel I'm learning the game so that's a good thing.

ASLSK Module Hits Preorder Number

I've been paying attention to this, because I would like to get it when it's released.  It's a historical module for the ASLSK system.  It will be fun to see how the campaign system works and it also introduces off-board arty.

I want to keep into the ASLSK (Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit) system because it's comprehensive, leads into the bigger world of ASL (which i don't see myself joining in the near future), and has a pretty good following around the world.  I was rereading the rules a bit and am convinced now the armor rules aren't too difficult.

My last post was about being in a gaming funk and coming soon you'll see a post about how I'm in a wishy washy place in gaming too.

I apologize in advance to Gary Amos, newest member of the blog, and all the rest of you as you watch me bounce from  thing to thing trying to get my bearing on how I want to spend my little shards of gaming time.

Go to www.multimanpublishing.com to get your preorder in, or look for it in the next few months at your FLGS.

Richness of ASL

ASL is quite daunting and I've only really invested in the Starter Kits and the main rule book.  In addition, I've played, mainly solo, all of the SK1 scenarios.  I also had a great teacher that runs the local tournament.  Great guy.

And when I started playing it, I really was into the thought of playing one system...for the most part. And occasionally dipping into other games. The reason: I really like the idea of learning a system with depth and variety. And one with a fairly active community.  ASL fits the bill perfectly.  I like that there's a podcast, The Two Half Squads, about it and active forums. 

At the time I didn't realize I was such a magpie. I didn't realize I had OhShinyItus disease that affects so many gamers.  I've come to embrace this side of me.  Therefore, I've moved away from ASLSK for a bit. Though, I still have that longing to get into one system of some kind so strongly, that I really get it...dare I say, "grok" it?

There are a few good blogs that cover ASL, but one I enjoy, for his AARs, is Whine and Cheese ASL in Wisconsin.  Great name by the way.  He is so detailed in his writeups that I've been reminded lately how rich a story this game can build.  Especially the hero, berserk, and other "advanced" rules I've not encountered in the starter kits.

He also does a great job of getting VASL screenshots from his games like the one below:

From the Whine and Cheese Website.

If you would like to learn an amazing system of rules that is focused in the WWII universe, give ASL a try.  You probably have a local club/group that would welcome the chance to introduce to the game.