Episode 39: Go With the Flow

OBA example setup

In Episode 37 we presented an introduction to Off Board Artillery (OBA) use in ASL. For years the only way to learn OBA was to slog through several pages of complex rules. But then along came the OBA Player Aid, an ingenious and easy to use flow chart that makes OBA as easy as rowing your boat gently down the stream. Well, almost. If you've never used OBA for fear it was too complicated, join us as we Go With the Flow and judge for yourself.

With ASL Oktoberfest looming on the horizon, we thought this would be a good time to air our interview with ASLOK's commander-in-chief, Bret Hildebran. Be nice to Bret or he'll see you get room 1408.

We also read some listener mail, have an impromptu book report, and in general babble endlessly about -- what else -- our favorite game in the world.

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SHOW LINKS

ASL Module Dependency Chart
Texas ASL group's fabulous Sticky errata (look for "sticky errata" files.)
From Italy, one man's Tarawa AAR Be sure to check out the whole site. Bello!

Newbie-Do #2: Over Open Sights

If you've never played Advanced Squad Leader before, or if you are just getting started, you're going to like this episode. Today we do a thorough play-by-play of a starter kit scenario, taking you through each move and its applicable rule so you can setup and follow along. We discuss the strategy (or lack thereof!) and outcome of each move in each phase.

For this installment of Newbie-do, we turn to Starter Kit 2's scenario, "Over Open Sights" (S12), the first scenario in the set to use GUNS. Jeff takes the American side against the Germans played by our guest, Mike Lembke, and Dave acts as neutral commentator and referee. Our complete setup is listed in the table below. You'll want to have board X, American and German orders of battle and the Starter Kit 2 rules handy.

ASL Starter Kit 2 is available (as of this writing) at the Multiman Publishing web site or through Amazon (see below). Alternatively, you could setup with VASL.

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OVER OPEN SIGHTS setup. Board X

AMERICAN		SETUP HEX		GERMAN		ENTRY HEX
2-3-6 C	MMG	G3		8-0		A6
8-1		G3		4-4-7 D	LMG	A6
2-3-6 B		G4		4-4-7 G		A6
ART 155 A	CA J3/K4	K3		4-4-7 H		A6
2-2-7 C		K3		4-6-7 A		F10
ART 105 B	CA N3/O4	O3		4-6-7 B		F10
2-2-7 B		O3		4-4-7 E	LMG	F10
2-3-6 D	MTR 60	R3		2-3-7 A		G10
ART 105 A	CA T5/U5	T4		2-3-7 B		G10
2-2-7 A		T4		4-4-7 F	MMG	G10
7-0		W6		8-1		G10
2-3-6 A		X5		4-6-7 C		I10
5-4-6 B		X6		4-6-7 D		I10
5-4-6 A		X7		4-6-7 E	LMG	I10
				2-3-7 D	MTR 50	GG9
				2-3-7 C		GG8
				4-4-7 A		GG7
				4-4-7 B		GG7
				4-4-7 C		GG7
				7-0		GG7

Episode 38: Odds and Ends and a PAASL of Trouble

This episode includes our regular features plus some special odds and ends. There is also some discussion of the scenarios played. We review the Armored Force Field Manual from 1942 as well as Hampton Sides' Ghost Soldiers, a history report about Maurice Britt, and a mention of The Pritzker Military Library and it's podcasts.

We finish with an insider's listen to one meeting of our local game club, the PAASL (Palatine Area Advanced Squad Leaders). You might be inspired to start your own club and get some rookies playing ASL. CHECK IT OUT!

SHOW GUIDE
4:00 Listener Mail
28:00 Book Review
39:00 A discussion of telling ASL stories
52:00 History Report
59:00 PAASL "The Sounds of the Game"
Total 1:25

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LINKS
Scenarios based on movies

Episode 37: The ABC's of OBA

Summer's almost here and that means rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air. It's the perfect time to start our summer study of Offboard Artillery, aka OBA. Fasten your seat belts for a heck of a ride as we blast off for the FFE blast area. Normally hats are not allowed in class, but for this you might want to wear your helmet!

We also take a look at Le Franc Tireur's From the Cellar 3, and MMP's A Decade of War. Then proceed to a review of Over the Battlefield: Operation Bluecoat followed by more high culture with a Box Art Review of Kampfguppe Peiper I & II. INCOMING!!!

SHOW GUIDE
3:30 Favorite Scenarios
11:00 What's in the Box?
31:00 Book Review: "Ghost Soldiers" & "Operation Bluecoat"
40:00 Box Art Review
47:00 OBA Rules part one
Total 1:27

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Episode 36: Bungle in the Blood and Jungle!

Honestly, there is nothing bungling about this amazing Bounding Fire Productions product, we just liked the Jethro Tull reference. Join us as we ravenously tear into this massive king of the jungle.

Follow that with an interview with BFP's very own Sam Tyson for some talk about blood, jungle, and lots of other topics.

Then, in keeping with the Pacific theme we offer a review of HBO's "The Pacific", a book review and more.

SHOW GUIDE
3:30 Website changes
5:00 What's in the Box
30:00 Charles S. Roberts Awards
31:30 Book Review
37:00 Movie Review
51:00 Interview with Sam Tyson

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Episode 35: ASL Open 2010

In a classic scenario of suburban warfare, grognards from around the globe engage in a brutal hand-to-dice struggle for supremacy. It's the ASL Open 2010. We were there live covering all the exciting action.

SHOW GUIDE
04:00 Interview with Jeff DeYoung
14:00 Interview with David Goldman
30:00 Interview with Jim Burris
50:00 What's In The Box? -- ASL Journal 8
Total running time: 1:25:00

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