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MinionsGambit

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Greetings fellow players!

I didn't realise ASL existed until someone posted in my local FB Wargaming Buy/Swap/Sell group a very extensive ASL collection for sale. Whilst the collector in me said I must have it....spending $7.5k Australian $ didn't seem wise! We had a brief chat, and he convinced me to purchase SK#1 and go from there. So, for Xmas I did.

I'm an avid WWII enthusiast (as I'm sure most of you here are), enjoy PC based Hex wargames and milsim games, and have a backlog of tabletop wargames that none of my family will play (Unconditional Surrender / Axis and Allies).

Being very new to ASL is daunting, but I like the level of detail available to play out a scenario - which most PC games aren't able to do e.g. why do my tanks have to be next to the attack hex when likely, at that scale, they may be 2 or 3 away (anyway, personal beef :) ) - although Second Front seems to be ASL based and enjoyable. Anyway, I got through the PFPh pages and example with a good understanding in the rule book and was then faced with the WALL OF TEXT on the next two pages and my brain promptly turned off. :)

I definitely think MMP could spend some time using modern formatting things like bullet points and layouts to make it easier to read, but hey, it is what it is.

So, that's me. Here to play and hopefully enjoy. I'm based in Australia's eastern side so all times for me are around GMT+10/11 (daylight savings).
 
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Heloanjin

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Welcome to the community. You won't regret it.

A couple recommendations to learn the system.
  1. After/while reading the rules, read Jay Richardson's SK Tutorial available on the Texas ASL site (http://www.texas-asl.com/download/ASLSKTutorial.v1.0.pdf).
  2. Don't play solo when starting out. Find an experienced player to help you learn the game. No need for Face to Face play with VASSAL and VASL (https://vassalengine.org/ and https://vasl.info/). Neal Ulen has a pretty good tutorial series on installing VASL (https://asl-players.net/category/vasl101/). You can find plenty of opponents on the Advanced Squad Leader Central Discord server (https://discord.gg/n87pF7B9) in the #Opponents Wanted channel.
  3. There are a couple Youtube tutorial sites that are very good and many that are just OK. Almost all have rules errors, but some more than others. Harsh Rules has a series that is one of the best and most reliable (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU4KFypUKBFOXGZyn9aDCrr12YvTAai6r&feature=shared).
 

clubby

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Good advice about not playing solo. I played a recent game with a guy that only played solo and solitaire ASL. He was a mess when it came to even the simplest rules because nobody ever explained to him when he was making mistakes.
 

von Marwitz

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Good advice about not playing solo. I played a recent game with a guy that only played solo and solitaire ASL. He was a mess when it came to even the simplest rules because nobody ever explained to him when he was making mistakes.
So true!

Back then, I had no choice but to play solo. This changed when I finally (re-)discovered VASL in 2010.


It allowed immediate access to a large number of opponents across the world.

That said, one of my mentors was from Australia: Cheers go out to David Wallace!
Last fall, I had the pleasure to invite another ASLer from Australia to my place for a couple of days (and a game) while he was travelling in Europe: Cheers to Bruce Probst as well!

There are a couple of nice chaps from Australia playing ASL, who are also active in this forum.
Maybe post accordingly to reach out and they may be able to connect you, @MinionsGambit .

von Marwitz
 

bprobst

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I'm based in Australia's eastern side so all times for me are around GMT+10/11 (daylight savings).
Where on the east coast are you based? If you're in or near Melbourne you're in my part of the world, and I can direct you to some (hopefully) nearby players. If you're in Sydney (or Central Coast or Newcastle) I can similarly direct you to other players. If you're further north than that, I can't help you much myself but there are others around here who can.
 

Zakopious

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I am currently attempting to learn the Night Rules almost solo.
My FTF games are about once a month; fortunately, against an experienced player.
It is hard to follow the Night XOP from Texas ASL because the DRM's and FP values are posted but not explained.
I don't do VASAL.
 

MinionsGambit

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So true!

Back then, I had no choice but to play solo. This changed when I finally (re-)discovered VASL in 2010.


It allowed immediate access to a large number of opponents across the world.

That said, one of my mentors was from Australia: Cheers go out to David Wallace!
Last fall, I had the pleasure to invite another ASLer from Australia to my place for a couple of days (and a game) while he was travelling in Europe: Cheers to Bruce Probst as well!

There are a couple of nice chaps from Australia playing ASL, who are also active in this forum.
Maybe post accordingly to reach out and they may be able to connect you, @MinionsGambit .

von Marwitz
Thank you, mate. Appreciate the advice from all - very helpful :)
 

clubby

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I am currently attempting to learn the Night Rules almost solo.
My FTF games are about once a month; fortunately, against an experienced player.
It is hard to follow the Night XOP from Texas ASL because the DRM's and FP values are posted but not explained.
I don't do VASAL.
You're really missing out limiting yourself to ftf only.
 

Actionjick

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I am currently attempting to learn the Night Rules almost solo.
My FTF games are about once a month; fortunately, against an experienced player.
It is hard to follow the Night XOP from Texas ASL because the DRM's and FP values are posted but not explained.
I don't do VASAL.
When we were learning Night we vowed to play fifty Night scenarios in a row. We got to around thirty played and then moved on.

I have expressed my love of replaying scenarios several times but think it is an effective way of learning rules and tactics. I was fortunate to have Fish as an opponent who shared those sentiments.
 

Peter J

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Greetings fellow players!

I didn't realise ASL existed until someone posted in my local FB Wargaming Buy/Swap/Sell group a very extensive ASL collection for sale. Whilst the collector in me said I must have it....spending $7.5k Australian $ didn't seem wise! We have a brief chat, and he convinced me to purchase SK#1 and go from there. So, for Xmas I did.

I'm an avid WWII enthusiast (as I'm sure most of you here are), enjoy PC based Hex wargames and milsim games, and have a backlog of tabletop wargames that none of my family will play (Unconditional Surrender / Axis and Allies).

Being very new to ASL is daunting, but I like the level of detail available to play out a scenario - which most PC games aren't able to do e.g. why do my tanks have to be next to the attack hex when likely, at that scale, they may be 2 or 3 away (anyway, personal beef :) ) - although Second Front seems to be ASL based and enjoyable. Anyway, I got through the PFPh pages and example with a good understanding in the rule book and was then faced with the WALL OF TEXT on the next two pages and my brain promptly turned off. :)

I definitely think MMP could spend some time using modern formatting things like bullet points and layouts to make it easier to read, but hey, it is what it is.

So, that's me. Here to play and hopefully enjoy. I'm based in Australia's eastern side so all times for me are around GMT+10/11 (daylight savings).
Hi and welcome! If you are based in Brisbane, I can certainly help you out with some face-to-face ASL. We have a small but active club.
 

MinionsGambit

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Hi and welcome! If you are based in Brisbane, I can certainly help you out with some face-to-face ASL. We have a small but active club.
Thanks, mate. Sadly not, in Vic, but happy to meet over VASL too! Have that all installed, albeit not across the overlay stuff yet. I'm on the ASL discord with the same user name if that helps you reach out.
 

Peter J

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Thanks, mate. Sadly not, in Vic, but happy to meet over VASL too! Have that all installed, albeit not across the overlay stuff yet. I'm on the ASL discord with the same user name if that helps you reach out.
Yes that is sad... you living in Victoria. Will you be moving to Queensland in the near future? Isn't that what Victorians do!!?? I'll see what I can do via VASL
 

MinionsGambit

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Yes that is sad... you living in Victoria. Will you be moving to Queensland in the near future? Isn't that what Victorians do!!?? I'll see what I can do via VASL
haha, well, your view is understandable. I'm not from Vic so unsure of the immigration dreams that my fellow State-mates hold. If in QLD, can you tell me if you guys have discovered footwear yet? ;)
 

Tuomo

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haha, well, your view is understandable. I'm not from Vic so unsure of the immigration dreams that my fellow State-mates hold. If in QLD, can you tell me if you guys have discovered footwear yet? ;)
30925
Best Offhanded Smackdown Of A Fellow Aussie
By A Complete Newcomer To The Scene,
AKA
The Best Further Proof Of Convict Heritage Award
 
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