New Xmas ASl convert

[Wyrd]

Hi all. Thought I'd drop in and say hello here. Old Saint Nick is apparently a bit of a grognard, as he deposited rather a lot of this 'ASL' stuff under my tree this year. I've never played ASL before, or really looked into it, but I had heard the name before, usually in the company of phrases like 'it's like tax law with panzers', and 'binder wielding fanatics'.

Now, I'm not sure what happened this year, but in leiu of the usual assortment of video games, strange clothes, and odd household items, I got more boardgame stuff than I could have wished for. All told I got the ASL starter kits #1 and #3, as well as the ginormous and gloriously orange 2nd edition manual/binder/backup riot shield thing with more pages than your average college science textbook. On top of THAT, I got Federation Commander Klingon Border and four suppliments(!?), and a brand new Barbarossa to Berlin reprint. All three games look to be fantastic. Pretty crazy, huh? I was pretty happy!

So, I find myself reading some of the rules to ASL today while avoiding the more annoying elements of my familial relations, and strangely enough, I'm getting pretty interested. It's a lot to absorb, but the rules make a lot of sense, and I get the sensation that I've just stuck my head under the surface of one very deep ocean. This thing has to be one hell of a deep game. I'm particularly impressed with the clarity and organization of the rules. There are a LOT of them, of course, but they are organized and very clear.

So, other than getting my feet wet with the SK scenarios and playing around with VASL, what do you guys suggest I do? Any pointers or resources on getting started? I'm looking to pick up Beyond valor in the coming months. Anything else y'all might suggest? My brain stopped working after punching out the 500th or so little counter. Ack!

[Bigkayeh]

Wyrd,

Welcome aboard! It's a game that you can really sink your teeth into. The starter kits are a good start but if you get "bit by the bug" you'll find that the beautiful orange book will be a frequent companion. Glad to see new converts. Best to you.

[Honza]

Hi Wyrd,

Thats great man! Don't bite off more than you can chew. I'd start with the SK's and play some of the scenarios from them to see if you enjoy the game and then progress slowly towards the goal of full blown ASL.
Beyond Valor would be cool to have to go with your Rule Book, but use the SK's what they are for; to introduce you to ASL.

I hope you enjoy it!

[Kevin Kenneally]

Hi all. Thought I'd drop in and say hello here. Old Saint Nick is apparently a bit of a grognard, as he deposited rather a lot of this 'ASL' stuff under my tree this year. I've never played ASL before, or really looked into it, but I had heard the name before, usually in the company of phrases like 'it's like tax law with panzers', and 'binder wielding fanatics'.

Now, I'm not sure what happened this year, but in leiu of the usual assortment of video games, strange clothes, and odd household items, I got more boardgame stuff than I could have wished for. All told I got the ASL starter kits #1 and #3, as well as the ginormous and gloriously orange 2nd edition manual/binder/backup riot shield thing with more pages than your average college science textbook. On top of THAT, I got Federation Commander Klingon Border and four suppliments(!?), and a brand new Barbarossa to Berlin reprint. All three games look to be fantastic. Pretty crazy, huh? I was pretty happy!

So, I find myself reading some of the rules to ASL today while avoiding the more annoying elements of my familial relations, and strangely enough, I'm getting pretty interested. It's a lot to absorb, but the rules make a lot of sense, and I get the sensation that I've just stuck my head under the surface of one very deep ocean. This thing has to be one hell of a deep game. I'm particularly impressed with the clarity and organization of the rules. There are a LOT of them, of course, but they are organized and very clear.

So, other than getting my feet wet with the SK scenarios and playing around with VASL, what do you guys suggest I do? Any pointers or resources on getting started? I'm looking to pick up Beyond valor in the coming months. Anything else y'all might suggest? My brain stopped working after punching out the 500th or so little counter. Ack!

Wyrd,

Thanks for starting this thread.

If you hurry and convert to "Eastern Orthodox" faith, their celebration of Christmas begins in January..... You can then hope/wish/pray that the Beyond Valor module appears under that Christmas tree from St. Nickolaus.....

Just kidding.

Seriously though; If you can get the Beyond Valor Mdule, you will have 10 excellent maps and all the counters the German and Russian Order of Battle have or this game. The Starter Kit counters can be mixed with these to give you more cardboard warriors to play with.

[Wyrd]

Thats great man! Don't bite off more than you can chew. I'd start with the SK's and play some of the scenarios from them to see if you enjoy the game and then progress slowly towards the goal of full blown ASL.

That's pretty much the plan. My brother is heading over this afternoon to give SK scenario #1 a go. We'll see how it goes. I can tell, though, after reading the SK 1 rules, that this is going to be fun. It's deep, and the rules don't seem arbitrary like many other games I've played.

If you hurry and convert to "Eastern Orthodox" faith, their celebration of Christmas begins in January..... You can then hope/wish/pray that the Beyond Valor module appears under that Christmas tree from St. Nickolaus.....

Just kidding.

Seriously though; If you can get the Beyond Valor Mdule, you will have 10 excellent maps and all the counters the German and Russian Order of Battle have or this game. The Starter Kit counters can be mixed with these to give you more cardboard warriors to play with.

Actually, Beyond valor is probably going to be a gift from Saint Paycheck in January

It looks to be fun. I'm sure well hash it all up the first couple of times, but I think it will be fun. I'll let you know how it goes. BV looks to be a nice starting point if this ASL thing turns into the full time hobby I'm thinking it will. My brother is really interested in it as well, and mentioned he was going to buy the 2nd edition rules with his xmas money after i showed him mine.

[Kevin Kenneally]

That's pretty much the plan. My brother is heading over this afternoon to give SK scenario #1 a go. We'll see how it goes. I can tell, though, after reading the SK 1 rules, that this is going to be fun. It's deep, and the rules don't seem arbitrary like many other games I've played.




Actually, Beyond valor is probably going to be a gift from Saint Paycheck in January

It looks to be fun. I'm sure well hash it all up the first couple of times, but I think it will be fun. I'll let you know how it goes. BV looks to be a nice starting point if this ASL thing turns into the full time hobby I'm thinking it will. My brother is really interested in it as well, and mentioned he was going to buy the 2nd edition rules with his xmas money after i showed him mine.

Good thing from "Saint Paycheck".

Where in the US are you from? May be there might be fellow ASLers in the lands to help you learn....

ASL players are a FINE bunch of blokes.... Or so a good friend of mine has stated..... Hi Ian.

[Wyrd]

Where in the US are you from? May be there might be fellow ASLers in the lands to help you learn....

Sure. Redding, California. I'd love to play an experienced ASLer, if there happens to be one around here. *crosses fingers*

As to the game, my brother and I just had a go at the first ASLSK scenario, and the results were surprising. First, we were both VASTLY impressed by how much depth there was to the game. If the first, vanilla infantry scenario has this much strategy and decision making required, I can only imagine what the full game entails! I was also suprised by the unpredictability. i had on of my brothers' airborn 747 guys broken (which was on a victory location), and then he passed his rally check with snake eyes and created a leader, which completely turned the tide of battle in that section of the board. Neat! The tension level of the game is pretty high too, and this little starter scenario is far more involving than whole other games i've played, much less tutorial scenario. Pretty darn impressive, we both thought so. Heck, you could play just this SK for ever and still have fun.

I was also surprised at how quickly all of the rules gelled. Once we actually started playing, it all sort of 'clicked' and made good sense. In fact, it went more smoothly than several other games I've played with far less complexity. There's a lot to remember, but it makes sense, and is easily referenced in the big 'Binder O' Death'. Unfortunately, we were not able to finish the scenario due to my brother having a sick kid, but we plan on finishing it up late tonight over VASL. The fact that my brother wants to play late at night with a sick kid says a lot

This pretty much cements it. I do believe I'm hooked. i can't believe I never tried this game before. Thank you Santa!

Anyone interested in playing/teaching sometime would be great. I'm generally free on weekends and early evening PST.

[Dave Olie]

This pretty much cements it. I do believe I'm hooked. i can't believe I never tried this game before. Thank you Santa!

Anyone interested in playing/teaching sometime would be great. I'm generally free on weekends and early evening PST.

Welcome to our happy band of lunatics, Wyrd. I think you and your brother will enjoy the ride.

I don't do VASL, but I enjoy playing by Skype with the boards and counters. More than happy to play ASLSK #1. I'm in the AST zone, but that's no biggie; I play regularly with a guy in Japan.

[daveramsey]

Great stuff - welcome aboard, and keep going! It's great to see someone approach the game with enthusiasm, I hope you enjoy your stay at the ASL Hotel California

[chris_olden]

there's a few ASL'ers down in the Sacto area, and the "Mr.Wonderful"
of NorCal ASL, Dave Haasl lives in Chico.
co