Episode 124: Tarawa-boom-de-ay

It's hard to imagine a player of Advanced Squad Leader who doesn't like a challenge. After all, the very essence of ASL is in the challenge to learn it, and for an elite few, master it. But even so, many of us would rather suffer repeated dowsing with buckets of icy water than to take on the monster that is Blood Reef: Tarawa, the fifth historical module in the ASL family (and perhaps the archetypal "black sheep" of the line).

But wait. There's hope. For you that proudly own BRT but lack the courage to tackle its diabolical eccentricities, or for you that have played it and glossed over its imposing minutiae, or for you that can only sit in awe of its Byzantine logic, there's hope! Thanks to many monasterial hours and days of staggering devotion, Rich Spilky has sought to unravel the Gordian Knot of rules and create a selection of player aid charts that will greatly assist your BRT odyssey.

In this episode, we chat with Rich -- or rather, Rich chats with us -- about each of his BRT tables: why he created them and how to use them.

Equipped with these tables and the Tarawa Gamer's Guide AND this episode of The 2 Half-Squads, the challenge of BRT will seem child's play. And if we're wrong, you can dump a bucket of ice water over . . . Perry's head!

Tarawa Player Aids by Rich Spilky


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Episode 123: T2HS Greatest Hits Part Three

Oh no, here we go again. Another episode of so-called "Greatest Hits". This collection covers episodes 36 through 47. These snips were carefully, painstakingly, agonizingly, excruciatingly hand selected by Old Man Dan and Piano Man. You might find a few things in here that you missed the first time around, and others that will bring back some memories -- hopefully not the same memories you've been trying to FORGET since the shows first aired!

Surely the best moments come from the many guests we interviewed. Our thanks again to all of them for making us look good. Or, at least, not quite so bad!

Ahhh, we are waxing nostalgic, and with your permission we will wax on. Next episode we will wax off.

SHOW GUIDE
Total Time: 2:25:15

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ASL Extra 17: Liberation of Minsk play-by-play

Rich Domovic

At a recent meeting of the Palatine Area Advanced Squad Leaders club (PAASL) Dave ended up with no opponent to play, so he started recording a play-by-play of the only game happening; scenario OST12, The Liberation of Minsk from the Ost Front 2 Pack by Lone Canuck Publishing. This little experiment turned out pretty good, so we decided to publish it for your enjoyment and edification.

Rich Domovic commanded the Russians while Mike Stubits played the German defender. The high level of experience of these two players showed as they battled it out in 1944. You won't find the initial setup here as it was a spur of the moment decision to record, and there are gaps in the recording as we pause to let players think and plan. We hope the photos will clarify things. There are some great moves made during this one, so we hope you can learn a trick or two.

Mike Stubits

The live narration of the game in progress makes it sound a bit like a golf tournament, but there's no soft clapping from the gallery. Feel free to fill that in yourselves.

LINKS
Photos of the Game

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Episode 122: Interdicting Dandelions With Dennis

Jeff (left) and Dennis (right)
photo by Dave (not shown, but
you probably remember what
the handsome devil looks like)

Look what happens when we leave the broadcast foxhole unguarded and the door unlocked (yes, our foxhole has a door). We get drop-ins! From far off California we welcome Dennis Donovan live in the studio joining us in some grand conversation about the greatest game in the world, Advanced Squad Leader (duh). Together we cooked up a heaping-helping of banter and serve up such topics as model building, syncopes (such as fo'c's'le, the syncope of forecastle), scenarios we've been playing lately, horticulture and, best of all, Interdiction. It's a mad, mad, mad, mad mix of multi-man madcapery (that word isn't in the dictionary YET).

SHOW TIMES
2:25 - Model Talk
7:56 - Errata
12:00 - Letters
22:07 T-Shirt Sale and Card Back-order Plug
30:00 - Letters: The Call-in Kind
45:00 - What'cha Been Playin' Lately?
1:07:00 - Interdiction
1:27:40 - Total Running Time

LINKS
Gin Drinkers Revenge Tournament Hong Kong
Northern California Yahoo Group
HMS Indefatigable at Uboat.net
ASL Phase Discs
Power of Images and Words in WWII

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Episode 121: Water Works

There are about a zillion ways to learn the rules for Advanced Squad Leader. Perhaps the least effective is by listening to this show. Never-the-less, and with brazen disregard for the obvious, we plunge into some rules you'll need to get your troops across that river. Unless you exclusively play desert scenarios, you're bound to stumble into circumstances where you'll need to risk getting your (or your infantry's) feet wet. Maybe then you'll think back on this episode and mutter a quiet "thank you" to us for our hard work. But probably not!

We also have fun opening The Box to find MMP's Winter Offensive Bonus Pack #5. Is it worth the price? Listen and find out. If you decide to order it, tell MMP you heard about it on this show and they'll give you . . . nothing extra.

SHOW TIMES
2:30 - What Have You Been Playing Lately?
18:30 - What's in the Box? Winter Offensive Bonus Pack #5
34:30 - Rules: Boats and Swimming
1:19:50 - Total Running Time
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Episode 120: We Apologize Ahead of Time

We may be the jesters -- or buffoons -- of the ASL world but we're not ignorant to modern social and political correctness, as evidenced in this episode where we can scarce make a comment without worrying about offending someone. But wait -- that worry assumes someone is even listening. Now we're worrying about our egos. Well, let's get on with the show and hope for the best.

We start with some chit-chat about Jeff's trip to the Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, and Dave's trip to Godzilla Fest in Chicago. But does any of this relate to Advanced Squad Leader? Yes! Everything relates to Advanced Squad Leader, no matter how tenuously. We then get to mail call, which covers such diverse topics as movie reviews, players wanted, map explanations, and more. Later, take a look back with us at ASL Annual 95 (Winter Edition). This annual was Gary Fortenberry's first stint as editor of that distinguished publication. Finally, the winners of the latest contest are announced -- and it could be you so listen carefully. The winner receives a sweet Sabaton CD kindly donated by Göran Andersson.

Shown here hailing a cab,
this shirt will stop
traffic every time.

Thanks to all who purchased our OBA decks. As of this writing we have just a few left, but fear not because we now have new t-shirts! These beauties include the likeness of our lovely faces. (Un-oh, there go our egos again. We apologize.) $20 will land this shirt in your mail box if you live in the continental USA. Farther locations will incur additional shipping charges.

Wearing this shirt is a guaranteed conversation-starter wherever you go. Like, "Why are you wearing a shirt with two ugly guys on it?" Or, "Would you mind putting on a coat? My wife and I are trying to eat." Or, "A bunch of us homeless guys got a little collection together and bought you a bus pass to anywhere but here!"

The back looks good too.
People will be happy
to see you leave!

To order a shirt email us at the2halfsquads at gmail dot com and we will send you the details.

For an extra $1 we'll sign your shirt. (Uh-oh. More ego!)

For an extra $5 we'll forge Perry's signature.

And since Dave is off all summer, for an extra $6 he'll deliver it to you personally, clip your counters, mow your lawn and walk your dog.

Order yours today!







SHOW TIMES
1:00 A Discussion About Being Geek
19:00 Contest Winner Announced
29:00 Letters
47:00 What's in the Box
1:15:00 T-shirt Sale Announced
1:22:54 Total Running Time

LINKS 
Godzilla Fest
ASL Phase Disks
Air and Space Museum


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