How to start Advanced Squad Leader

By David Garvin

If you’ve been intrigued by my posts here on NO DICE NO GLORY, and you want to start into Advanced Squad Leader (ASL).  I can well imagine that you’re thinking “Well?  How do I start?”  Simple question and with typical ASL style, there is no easy answer. There are a few paths to playing ASL. In this article, I’m going to lay out five paths to playing ASL. Then I’ll tell which path I took.

This is less painful than ASL

A History of ASL: The Programmed Instruction method

Before laying out the path, a bit of history is in order.  When Beyond Valor was released in June, 1985, the rules weren’t ready for release, so those who purchased it would not be able to play any of the scenarios with the proper rules until December of that year.

If people had GI: Anvil of Victory and the previous games in the original Squad Leader series, then they would be able to play most of the games, albeit not to the full effect.  Once the rules were released, then players would only then be able to play the games to the full. Interestingly, ownership of the original series was necessary to play all the scenarios in Beyond Valor, because some of the boards necessary to play could only be found in one of the 4 original games.

ASL Boards: some available only in the old game

The original series used what the designers called “programmed instruction.”  That is, they would lay out some rules and then the player would play a scenario.  Following that, more rules would be added and again another scenario would incorporate those new rules.  And on it went all the way through all four modules of the Squad Leader series.

As such, any person who started with Squad Leader and worked through to the end of GI: Anvil of Victory would have a good grasp of the rules overall, with the problem of having latter rules supplant earlier rules.

Of course, the stated aim of ASL was to eliminate this problem and just consolidate the rules.  That’s not exactly what happened, of course, but if one were to go through the four original games and then pick up ASL and Beyond Valor, a player would be set to begin playing almost immediately.

That player would also have played a total of forty-seven scenarios and have a pretty decent base upon which to base his ASL gaming. All this to say, this is one method to start playing ASL.  It’s also the most time-intensive and expensive.  Having said this, back in the mid-1980s, this is the method by which most players got into ASL; they evolved from playing the original series.  Of the 5 methods, this is the least desirable.

You mean I have to buy all 4 of these, and then never use them again???

Method 2

The next method is a throwback to the concept of programmed instruction. Jim Stahler, a playtester from the early days, put together an for the now-defunct General Magazine.  In this article, he essentially ran the new player through the rules in a measured fashion, similar to the old method of the original series.

Following each snippet, the suggestion was to play a scenario incorporating the rules just laid out. This method is well thought out and is easy to grasp, even though a basic knowledge of the original series.  Any gamer ought to be able to comprehend his method, and as such, downloading and following this method is a methodical method by which anyone ought to be able to get through the rules.

Method 3: Chapter K

Next method I will lay out is coincidentally done by the same Jim Stahler.  As previously stated, all chapters in the ASL Rule Book (ASL RB) are lettered.

Chapter K, Squad Leader Training Manual came with Paratrooper, the second module in the ASL system. It is no longer in print; however, all of its components are now found in ASL 3a Yanks and an updated Chapter K can be found in the latest ASL RB.

What this chapter does is take a player through the game as though one were being trained by a drill sergeant.  It is easy to go through and although the narration can be a bit kooky at time.  Then again, we’re talking about ASL, so there’s that. I ought to note that a basic understanding of the older Squad Leader system was assumed and when it was released, Chapter K, as found in Paratrooper is a sound method by which one could get into playing ASL.

This bad boy has so much ASL goodness in it!

Method 4: Starter Kits

In 2004, released ASL Starter Kit 1 (ASL SK 1).  This product contained everything needed to play ASL, albeit with the rules heavily parsed down to a very manageable 12 pages, including many illustrated examples.

ASL SK 1 has US, Soviet, and German units and includes six scenarios. It only has infantry so the learning curve is quite easy to grasp. Eventually, Multiman Publishing would go on to release three more Starter Kits, each with added complexity and each being completely self-contained.  Starter Kit #2 added ordnance, #3 added vehicles and #4 added rules for the Pacific Theater. A historical module was also released: Decision at Elst, based on some of the fighting south of Arnhem in September 1944.

ASL SK 1 laid out on display: Everything you need right there.

The most economically feasible way to get into ASL is to buy ASL SK 1.  For around twenty dollars, plus shipping, it could arrive at your door within a few days.  The best part is that if you don’t like it, there is a very good resale value on the game and you would be able to get most of your money back.

Method 5: Mentor

The final way to get into ASL is to find a player and have him mentor you.  If you’re lucky enough to live near an ASL player, then it may be as simple as reaching out to them for a chance to learn ASL. Chances are good that he would be more than willing to give you a hand.

Personally, I used a mix of the last two methods.  I purchased ASL SK 2 and also sought the help of a mentor who walked me through the game. I was hooked!  My ultimate leap of faith came in 2015 when I went to a tournament and played my first-ever ASL game using the full rules. My mentors were patient and this was very helpful and allowed me to gain a greater love of this game.

So, I’ve laid out 5 possible ways to start into ASL. There are more, of course, but these five methods range from the nearly impossible to master to the easiest. My advice is to do the same as what I did; get yourself ASL SK 1 and then look for someone to mentor you through.  In my opinion, you won’t regret it.

David Garvin is an avid wargamer whose favorite game is Advanced Squad Leader.  When not playing ASL, he can often be found pining for the barren snows and piles of poutine of his home: Canada.