Episode 142: What, No Sump Pump Rules?

There are signs, you know, that you've been playing too much ASL -- one of which is reaching for The Rule Book whenever a question of any kind comes up. Well, we can save you time by telling you now, there are no Sump Pump rules.

But, there are rules covering Ice, Water Obstacles, and Buildings. And we cover 'em here. We also get caught up on some listener mail and talk a bit about What We've Been Playing Lately.

You may not learn how to keep your basement dry, but hey, this show is about Advanced Squad Leader!

BFP 92 Trenches in Flames

SHOW LINKS
Computer Playing 'The Typewriter'
St. Louis Tournament
Vote Here for Alpenfestung
WW2T Video Game
World Boardgaming Championship
Kelly's Heroes Scenario

SHOW TIMES
1:00 Blab
13:15 Letters
39:30 Playin' Lately
49:45 Terrain Time
1:24:30 Total Running Time

Download this episode (right click and save)

Episode 141: The Great Unwashed

Ozerekya Breakout cover is a
fine example of chiaroscuro.

Nothing brings a lightness to the heart and a smile to the face quite like a session of the greatest game in the world, Advanced Squad Leader. Why it can even lift the mood of Jeff, perhaps the grumpiest podcast host in the world. If you don't want to listen to 10 minutes of whining about The Great Unwashed, skip forward to . . .

. . . the return of Box Art Review! wherein Dave exposes himself and his large knowledge of arty words. To further amaze, Dave then proceeds to whip out his Terrain Time notes for a review of Streams, Fords, and Crests. But if you already know these rules, you may want to skip forward to . . .

. . . our discussion of the World War II comedy classic film, Kelly's Heroes. Not surprisingly, we have markedly different opinions about this movie. Can you guess who loves it and who doesn't?

This work by Thomas Hart Benton is a
fine example of the use of
pretty colors.

SHOW LINKS
The Amphicar
How to Pronounce Gyros
Kelly's Heroes Trailer

SHOW TIMES
1:00 Some Interesting Conversation
10:10 Box Art Review (Oh Yeah!)
16:45 Terrain Time (Steams, Fords, Crests)
47:30 Movie Review Kelly's  Heroes
1:14:20 Total Running Time

Download this episode (right click and save)

Episode 140: Aesthetic Arrest

Ost Front Pack from
Lone Canuck Publishing

Let's see now, what we're we saying? Oh yes . . . Somehow we managed to keep our attention focused long enough to post another exciting episode of this podcast -- not an easy feat in these days of Tweets, sound clips, 6 second videos, and snappy chats, but we did it. And you know what helps? The fact that Advanced Squad Leader is the greatest game in the world!

You know what else helps? New ASL stuff. Yes, there's nothing that grabs the attention more than coming home after a long day amidst the world's distractions to a package from some exotic, far-off land. We love the anticipation as the family gathers around, eager to see the wonders contained therein. We also love it when they learn it's more ASL stuff and they suddenly remember something important they need to do and scurry away like mechanical mice from an AT mine.

In today's episode we see What's In The Box and discover treasures from exotic Canada. The folks -- or is it "folk'? -- at Lone Canuck Publishing have long been on our radar, and today we take a look at a couple of their offerings. We also have some lovely new dice from Battle School, guaranteed to spice up any ASL play -- and perhaps induce aesthetic arrest in your opponent such that he won't notice your tanks skirting up his flanks.

Hey, if you're finding you have less and less spare time for ASL, be sure to check out Rich Spilky's excellent player aids. The time you save looking up rules will add more gaming to your life, and more life to your gaming.

SHOW LINKS
Lone Canuck Publishing
Battle Dice
ASL Module Dependency Chart
Flames of War podcast
Spilky's Boats player aid

SHOW TIMES
13:00 Letters
31:30 What's in The Box?
1:08:45 Total Running Time

Download this episode (right click and save)

Episode 139: Welk-ome to Season 8!

Normally a generous guy, Dave is hesitant to let

Hakkaa Pallee out of his grip.

We're back! Following a long (about 2 weeks) and restful break since the end of season 7, we're back with the most highly anticipated show of the year.

In a dramatic change to our format, we've decided to make this and all future episodes EROR FREE. That's right, from ASL rules to history to news we vow to be 100% akurate and indesputably corect -- except for any time when Jeff is talking . . . or typing! (Yes, he knows it's A-r-i-s-t-o-t-l-e and F-35, not 135).

When we last saw our Advanced Squad Leader heroes (Dave and Jeff) they had just concluded an opening of the much anticipated and long elusive Hakkaa Pallee module. Here we continue the story by looking at the HP terrain and other Finnlandian additions to the Rules including the very cool Prepared Fire Zone, Aerosan and some changes to Chapter E.

But before we start to finish with the Finns we read some splendid listener mail, and then wrap up the Anti Aircraft rules left over from last episode's Air topic. Then we open the box and take a look at Winter Offensive Bonus Pack #6 while exposing our ignorance of Z boards.

Almost tougher than punching some of the HP counters,

we finally got the beer free of these holders

It's a rare combination of sisu and buffoonery, so stop reading and start listening. Ah-one, and ah-two . . .

SHOW TIMES
:30 - Banter
12:00 - Letters
40:00 - Rules: Anti Aircraft (in semi-quiz show format)
58:54 - What's in the Pouch Winter Offensive
1:10:15 - Terrain Time -- plus other stuff
Total time: 1:33:00

SHOW LINKS
ASL Module Dependency Chart
ASL Scenario Chronology spreadsheet
Stand Fast the Guards Scenario
Panzerfunk Podcast (Flames of War and other Wargames)
At The Point newsletter at View From the Trenches
Navy to phase out live pilots

Canadian ASL Open


Download this episode (right click and save)

138: Hakkaa Paalle Finnalle!

SEASON FINALE

This is the last show of our seventh year on the air, and we have everything you'd expect from a season finale. We start things off innocently enough with some excellent listener mail. Then we have an oh so satisfying conclusion to a long-running story arc with the highly anticipated release and reveal of Hakkaa Paalle!

We even have a cliff hanger ending! Will Jeff be returning for another season? You'll have to wait until NEXT season to find out. When will season eight begin? Dave's not telling! In the meantime, you'll have to speculate and commiserate, and this will give you some time to go back and re-listen to the previous 137 episodes (and 21 Extras). Have fun!

Dave on a SINGLE Man Counter.
Could it mean . . .?

SHOW TIMES
1:00 Talk, Talk, Talk
10:30 Letters
44:30 What's in the Box?
1:21:10 Total Running Time

LINKS
Drive a Tank (for Real)
Generation War (TV Show)


Download this episode (right click and save)

ASL Extra 21: Hammer to the Teeth

What? Another ASL Extra episode? Isn't that three extra episodes in as many months? Yes, it is, and thanks for noticing. Now just because we have achieved that high level of production recently doesn't mean you can take it to the bank -- or to the dentist. We just thought it was time to offer up some extra Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit material to our listener-ship, and so we got busy.
Hold on to your molars, break out your boards and unit counters, and follow along as Eric Ortega and Ron Schatz play scenario S15 Hammer to the Teeth.  This episode is recorded in the play by play style with Dave Kleinschmidt providing the live commentary.

Photos of Our Game Are Here at Our Flikr Site

 LINKS
Eddy M. del Rio's Excellent Example of Play and Tutorial
Merric's Musings Account of Said Battle
American Dental Association
  Download this episode (right click and save)