Thank you for this teaching video! I skimmed over the ASLSK tutorials by Jay Richardson, but I decided to dive into full ASL instead of spending $150+ on the Starter Kits 1-4. It isn't so bad. I am following Stahler's "8 Steps to ASL" tutorial. And there are plenty of full ASL tutorials on CZcams.
I did the same! When you consider these classic scenarios are relatively basic, it seems unnecessary to bother with the starter kits, imo. You can even buy the maps in them separately, if desired.
ASL SK is a really clever product. It is the bare essentials of ASL made for quick playing. There are 4 modules, each with increasing complexity. If you were to play through all four modules, you would essentially be playing full rules ASL with a few modifications. The first module is infantry and support weapons only. It plays fast and is plenty of fun. The second adds guns and ordnance and introduces the player to the concept of rolling to-hit the enemy, as well as an introduction to Hidden Initial Placement. The third adds vehicles; you already learned how to fire the guns in the 2nd mod, so the new stuff is essentially how armor factors work for protecting your crew. And there are fantastic scenarios featuring such famed tanks as the Panther and the King Tiger! The final mod is focused on the Pacific theater and is really a leap from the first three. You learn how the Japanese fight in the system (it really is that different) as well as new terrain features such as jungle, bamboo and kunai. ASL SK drops many concepts from the full game, such as bypass movement, snipers, heat of battle and more. It does retain the concept of the Experience Level Rating (ELR), but I wish it didn't; it adds a complexity to ASL SK that isn't really needed for beginners. In fact, when I play new players, I ignore ELR, but at times am tempted to include Heat of Battle. Again, that's just an extra complexity that adds to the richness of the game when played with full rules. All that said, there are many who stick to playing ASL SK. It is a fast paced and fun game on its own merits. The playing pieces and maps are all the same so there is no wastage if you do play ASL SK and decide to "graduate" to the full game. I have an extensive collection and I retain all the SK stuff. In fact, when I travel, I usually bring a starter kit with me so that I can exploit any opportunity to recruit a new player.
In the multi-story buildings with square stairwells, fire groups on different levels must be linked via that stairwell. The setup you have in building M5 is a good example. In addition, a soviet squad occupying L7 for an example would not have LOS to the German units occupying the 2nd level at L6 and M5. See also the encirclement rules (A7.7).
I think for American level zero can be confusing since in multi level buildings the ground floor is either G or 1 in elevator. To be honest being an old SL guy looking to go ASL we used Level 1 counter on top of ground floor unit since it was “above “ level one. Great video. Thank you.
@@wojnanaplanszy5058 I already starting watching part 2. I don't have the ASL rulebook - should I avoid the 1st edition and get the 2nd edition? I only play solo.
@@thegrogshed well, 2nd edition has better quality and bit more of scenarios. But ASL rulebook is a must. Of course, you can just go with Starter Kits.
@@wojnanaplanszy5058 Sorry! I didn't explain myself very well. I meant is the 1st edition ASL rulebook still usable? Or pay the extra and get the 2nd edition ASL rulebook.
@@thegrogshed cant say, since I dont have both, so I cant compare. As far as I can tell form 2nd edition introduction, changes are mostly done when it comes to the new modules rules. 2nd edition includes more rules form modules. But essential rules are the same.
Really great video.
I also love your accent. An explainers voice is so important in keeping a listener's attention.
Very informative. Thank you for the video.
Thank you for the video, i'm back to ASL thank to you.
A fabulous explanation.
Well shot and explained.
Thank you for this teaching video! I skimmed over the ASLSK tutorials by Jay Richardson, but I decided to dive into full ASL instead of spending $150+ on the Starter Kits 1-4. It isn't so bad. I am following Stahler's "8 Steps to ASL" tutorial. And there are plenty of full ASL tutorials on CZcams.
I did the same! When you consider these classic scenarios are relatively basic, it seems unnecessary to bother with the starter kits, imo. You can even buy the maps in them separately, if desired.
Very interesting to learn about the differences between ASLSK and full ASL. Looking forward to the playthrough!
ASL SK is a really clever product. It is the bare essentials of ASL made for quick playing. There are 4 modules, each with increasing complexity. If you were to play through all four modules, you would essentially be playing full rules ASL with a few modifications.
The first module is infantry and support weapons only. It plays fast and is plenty of fun. The second adds guns and ordnance and introduces the player to the concept of rolling to-hit the enemy, as well as an introduction to Hidden Initial Placement. The third adds vehicles; you already learned how to fire the guns in the 2nd mod, so the new stuff is essentially how armor factors work for protecting your crew. And there are fantastic scenarios featuring such famed tanks as the Panther and the King Tiger! The final mod is focused on the Pacific theater and is really a leap from the first three. You learn how the Japanese fight in the system (it really is that different) as well as new terrain features such as jungle, bamboo and kunai.
ASL SK drops many concepts from the full game, such as bypass movement, snipers, heat of battle and more. It does retain the concept of the Experience Level Rating (ELR), but I wish it didn't; it adds a complexity to ASL SK that isn't really needed for beginners. In fact, when I play new players, I ignore ELR, but at times am tempted to include Heat of Battle. Again, that's just an extra complexity that adds to the richness of the game when played with full rules.
All that said, there are many who stick to playing ASL SK. It is a fast paced and fun game on its own merits. The playing pieces and maps are all the same so there is no wastage if you do play ASL SK and decide to "graduate" to the full game. I have an extensive collection and I retain all the SK stuff. In fact, when I travel, I usually bring a starter kit with me so that I can exploit any opportunity to recruit a new player.
congratulations for the video, I'm trying to learn ASL and your material is perhaps the most comprehensive of those I've had access to on CZcams!
In the multi-story buildings with square stairwells, fire groups on different levels must be linked via that stairwell. The setup you have in building M5 is a good example. In addition, a soviet squad occupying L7 for an example would not have LOS to the German units occupying the 2nd level at L6 and M5. See also the encirclement rules (A7.7).
Thanks for doing these play throughs. Really helps learn the game
Great video. Thanks!
I think for American level zero can be confusing since in multi level buildings the ground floor is either G or 1 in elevator. To be honest being an old SL guy looking to go ASL we used Level 1 counter on top of ground floor unit since it was “above “ level one. Great video. Thank you.
Excellent video, thanks!
Thanks a lot. I already made more of this series.
@@wojnanaplanszy5058 I already starting watching part 2. I don't have the ASL rulebook - should I avoid the 1st edition and get the 2nd edition? I only play solo.
@@thegrogshed well, 2nd edition has better quality and bit more of scenarios. But ASL rulebook is a must. Of course, you can just go with Starter Kits.
@@wojnanaplanszy5058 Sorry! I didn't explain myself very well. I meant is the 1st edition ASL rulebook still usable? Or pay the extra and get the 2nd edition ASL rulebook.
@@thegrogshed cant say, since I dont have both, so I cant compare. As far as I can tell form 2nd edition introduction, changes are mostly done when it comes to the new modules rules. 2nd edition includes more rules form modules. But essential rules are the same.
Just an FYI: that is not how you do random selection.