The International Appeal of Advanced Squad Leader

By David Garvin

When I first played Squad Leader back in 1983, I found that 35-page rule book to be rather complex. The rules were laid out in Programmed Instruction in order to facilitate ease of learning. This just meant that the player only had to read a few pages, play a scenario and then progress.  By the time the player had gone through the book, he or she could then play any scenario.

This method of instruction continued through the original series, up to and including GI: Anvil of Victory. By that time, the player could play any of 47 scenarios released with the games, and a number more of officially-released scenarios. There were a few third-party scenarios, including some from On All Fronts and even Dragon Magazine. That said, as I attempted to parse some of the rules while hanging out with my friends, the language was at times dense.

Later as I delved into Advanced Squad Leader, (ASL) I found the rule book to be too much for me to initially comprehend. It was around 1986 and I failed to put any serious effort into learning the rules or the game.  Programmed Instruction was now a thing of the past, and even though there was a learning chapter, my friend Gary and I just never really got into it.

Imagine my surprise then, many years later as I was learning how to play, that not only were many people playing ASL – likely more than at any other point in its history – but also that there was a very large and vibrant international community of players. In fact, one of the first of many third-party producers made ASL scenarios in French!

Tactiques – le magazine des fanatiques d’ASL – started production in 1991. This was the first of many ASL-themed magazines and other products to emerge from abroad. In fact, it was the only source other than Avalon Hill. Ironically, most ASL players would have needed knowledge of French in order to get full benefit from the scenarios. Naturally, all of the scenarios have since been translated into English and are widely available.

Even though Tactiques lasted only a few years, their legacy is carried on by Le Franc Tireur, (LFT) also out of France. This is an impressive publication company that not only produces magazines and scenario packs but also a number of well-respected and highly-detailed Historical Advanced Squad Leader (HASL) products, such as Kampfgruppe Scherer: Shield of Cholm. Xavier, the owner/publisher of all things LFT, has an international network of scenario designers and writers, but collates his efforts in France and then uses the broad Francophonie to print and publish his many products, including in Cambodia. His effort truly is an international effort in itself. One of the most notable contributions is the so-called Rat Charts. These are simply a compilation of the many charts used in ASL, featuring an iconic cartoon rat as illustrated by Ole Bøe.

Relatively new to the international scene is Advancing Fire out of Italy. Although new to the scene, this company has made quite a splash with its products. They have thus far produced three HASLs, and they have not avoided hefty products! Their product on the Battle of Kursk, Prokhorovka, is sold with  14 scenarios, over 900 counters in a number of sheets, all representing units and vehicles that fought at the battle, along with eight maps sheets, all of which represent various areas over which the battle was fought.

These maps are based on historical aerial photos of the Kursk region, taken before the battle. Demonstrating the seriousness of the producers, this pack includes commentary by Christopher A. Lawrence, author of “Kursk: The Battle of Prokhorovka“. Though new to the scene, Advancing Fire has already established itself as a serious member of the international ASL Community.  Along with its other HASL packs, scenario packs are in the works. Viva Italia!

Not to be outdone, Friendly Fire out of Sweden only recently stopped producing scenarios. That said, from 2005 to 2018, 12 scenario packs were produced, and some of their packs were adapted by Multi-Man Publishing and released as official scenarios. Friendly Fire isn’t done, however. They still run the Friendly Fire Wargaming Convention in Sweden, as can be seen here.

The influence on the ASL world by Sweden cannot be overstated. Along with Friendly Fire is the pair of Martin Svärd and Erik Leander, who designed “Swedish Volunteers” back in 2009. This pack was picked up by MMP and was also released as official canon, back in 2020.

There remain two other international contributors of note. Both are in the UK. Billing itself as “the home of ASL in the UK” is the website “View from the Trenches“. Starting in 1995, VFFT is a veritable treasure trove of ASL content. Not only are all of their products available on their site but so too are all editions of the long-defunct General magazine. This was, of course, at one time the authority on all things gaming, until it stopped publication in the mid-1990s. As well, VFFT offers links to many ASL events in the UK. The second source is the ASL Scenario Archive.

This site is essentially required viewing for any serious ASL player. Not only can a player download some scenarios from this site, but it also has a powerful search engine that allows anyone to find any scenario with virtually limitless specifics.  Advanced Search Functions allow you to look for battles on a specific date or even date range, unit, location, or even by tank or weapon type. I personally rely on this site to help me find scenarios when acting as tournament director for tournaments. As well, Dave and Martin, co-host on their YouTube channel, called Illuminating Rounds. They talk about the game and at times will replay scenarios they have battled against one another.

As can be seen with these few examples, not only does ASL appeal to many, but it does so across many languages. I can barely comprehend the rule book on my own, but such is the appeal of ASL that even many non-English speakers have found themselves to be counted among the many fanatiques d’ASL! And to think, I’ve not even mentioned the Canadian, Australian or even German groups that are among the international community!  So, if you do happen to find yourself picking up a copy of ASL, or even the Starter Kit, just remember: some kid in France was able to parse the rules. You can do it!

David Garvin struggles to comprehend English, French and German, but can get through ASL as he writes for us from Nova Scotia.