Evan Sherry
Elder Member
Hi ASLers,
MMP released The Forgotten War about two years ago. If you have not played a Korean War scenario, its about time you did.
Korea definitely has a different feel than World War Two. The North Koreans and the Communist Chinese both have their unique idiosyncrasies that will challenge even veteran ASL players. I have now played 20 KW scenarios. Not only have I played these 20, but I have actually playtested them. That means I have now played a LOT of iterations of KW scenarios.
At first, I did not like playing KW scenarios even though I designed many of them. It was so unlike the WWII style scenarios I was accustomed to and required me to get way out of my ASL routine and comfort zone. I had to not only learn a bunch of new rules, I had to learn new tactics, even for the Americans and UN Forces that one would think play similarly to the Allied Forces in WWII. The simple answer to that is yes and no.
The Communist Chinese rules, as expected, were the most difficult to learn. Then the hard part was learning and developing tactics to use in a given scenario. The best advice I can give an ASLer used to WWII is to stop caring. You are going to sustain lots of CHICOM casualties when you try to win a KW scenario. Expect it, stop crying about it and drive on with your mission no matter how much cardboard blood must be sacrificed in the process.
Now a bunch of you are at ASLOK or on your way there. You will spend more concentrated ASL time in one week than you probably will at any other time during a gaming year. While you are in your room, read over the KW rules and plan to play at least one KW scenario while you are at ASLOK. The KPA are easiest to learn, but the Communist Chinese are so interesting, I suggest you try playing one featuring them. Rally Point #17: Special Study II of the Korean War has a CPVA player Aid Card that will greatly assist you while you learn how to use the CPVA.
So, now that you are at ASLOK, let us bystanders know what KW scenarios you play and how they turn out. The main thing to remember in KW is that it is not unusual for both players to feel they are losing while playing KW. If you feel that way during the game, keep going - the results may surprise you.
MMP released The Forgotten War about two years ago. If you have not played a Korean War scenario, its about time you did.
Korea definitely has a different feel than World War Two. The North Koreans and the Communist Chinese both have their unique idiosyncrasies that will challenge even veteran ASL players. I have now played 20 KW scenarios. Not only have I played these 20, but I have actually playtested them. That means I have now played a LOT of iterations of KW scenarios.
At first, I did not like playing KW scenarios even though I designed many of them. It was so unlike the WWII style scenarios I was accustomed to and required me to get way out of my ASL routine and comfort zone. I had to not only learn a bunch of new rules, I had to learn new tactics, even for the Americans and UN Forces that one would think play similarly to the Allied Forces in WWII. The simple answer to that is yes and no.
The Communist Chinese rules, as expected, were the most difficult to learn. Then the hard part was learning and developing tactics to use in a given scenario. The best advice I can give an ASLer used to WWII is to stop caring. You are going to sustain lots of CHICOM casualties when you try to win a KW scenario. Expect it, stop crying about it and drive on with your mission no matter how much cardboard blood must be sacrificed in the process.
Now a bunch of you are at ASLOK or on your way there. You will spend more concentrated ASL time in one week than you probably will at any other time during a gaming year. While you are in your room, read over the KW rules and plan to play at least one KW scenario while you are at ASLOK. The KPA are easiest to learn, but the Communist Chinese are so interesting, I suggest you try playing one featuring them. Rally Point #17: Special Study II of the Korean War has a CPVA player Aid Card that will greatly assist you while you learn how to use the CPVA.
So, now that you are at ASLOK, let us bystanders know what KW scenarios you play and how they turn out. The main thing to remember in KW is that it is not unusual for both players to feel they are losing while playing KW. If you feel that way during the game, keep going - the results may surprise you.