Is your Pocket ASL Rule Book Obsolete?

[Vinnie]

I had a pASLRB but gave it away as I never used it.

 

[Peter J]

I have a pASLRB and still use it when 'away from home'. It is well used and showing its age. I wouldn't buy a new one just yet. I am dabbling with the eASLRB on an iPad but this is still clunky... for me.

 

[PresterJohn]

Is your Pocket ASL Rule Book Obsolete?
Would you advise a new player to buy a copy of the Pocket Rule Book today?

It's well and truly obsolete by now. I bought the first one that came out. But I am no longer happy reading small format text.
For ease of reading the rules page by page I much prefer my rules binders propped up on my folding reading stands (with clip on LED reading light).
To quickly find a rule to check, the money spent on the pdf version of the rules was so well spent.

How is the new player coming to the game? Have they been playing SK and using the rules pdf or the rules booklets? If they like the SK pdf over the hard copy then maybe they should get the eASLRB. Did the new player buy a second hand ASL bundle? Use what you have until you decide you don't like it or need better then make your own choice.

 

[clubby]

I use the eASLRB and eHASL on my phone. I can look up a rule in 5 seconds without having to carry around a rule book. That being said, I like the small physical rule book but it's not always practical.

 

[klasmalmstrom]

Any printed version, when new errata/replacement-pages is issued - and that is not incorporated somehow - will be "out-of-date" - I wouldn't necessarily say that makes it "obsolete". YMMV.

 

[BattleSchool]

Strictly speaking, the shelf life of an pASLRB is greater than mine. But I'd rather be dated than out-of-date.

 

[pensatl1962]

I rarely use the pocket rule book anymore, as the e book is so much more convenient, especially when I’m already on the computer for VASL. The Chapter H pocket (physical) rule book is still pretty cool — a good book to have if stranded on a desert island — and it’s much less likely to become obsolescent.

 

[zcrater]

Is your Pocket ASL Rule Book Obsolete?

Yes, but that is by my choice. I could easily purchase a new pASLRB every time a new one is printed (which seems to be roughly every two or so years).

Would you advise a new player to buy a copy of the Pocket Rule Book today?

It depends on the player. If the player is comfortable with electronic rules, I would advise the player to only purchase the electronic rules. If the player is uncomfortable with electronic rules or strongly prefers paper I would advise the player to purchase the pASLRB. I personally think the traditional ASLRB is too large, too awkward, and too difficult to keep updated. YMMV.

Zeke

 

[clubby]

I rarely use the pocket rule book anymore, as the e book is so much more convenient, especially when I’m already on the computer for VASL. The Chapter H pocket (physical) rule book is still pretty cool — a good book to have if stranded on a desert island — and it’s much less likely to become obsolescent.

Like you need a rule book.

 

[Old Noob]

I have the entire pASLRB set, as a nod to reducing Portage Points.

 

[clubby]

I have the entire pASLRB set, as a nod to reducing Portage Points.

You can rout with it now.

 

[aiabx]

When I was young, the rules came in a 3 ring binder so we could swap in errata as Avalon Hill issued it, which was the style at the time.

I don't even know where my pocket Rule Book is right now. My old First Edition rule binder is boxed up and will probably never see the light of day until it meets the great Blue Box. It's almost entirely eASLRB and Rat Charts now for me. I doubt I'll ever go back, given that I know the pocket rules are already out of date.

 

[waltermcwilliam]

Is your Pocket ASL Rule Book Obsolete?
Would you advise a new player to buy a copy of the Pocket Rule Book today?

Nope -

 

[BlitzkriegBeast]

For those needing help reading their pASLRB due to the small print, there are some excellent LED illuminated magnifiers out there. These really work. That said, I prefer the eASLRB if playing on my PC (VASSAL).

 

[dhersh]

Question - as I dip my feet back into ASL after many years...

I recently bought a copy of the eASLRB and expect I will use it extensively for playing/reference, however I really do enjoy reading a physical copy better. I have my old hardbound copy of 2nd edition rules (mostly original 2000 pages that I had custom bound). Will I be doing myself a major disservice if I am reading that to get back into ASL rather than the new eASLRB, or are the changes manageable enough that once I've done my read through I can switch to the eASLRB and focus on re-reading specific sections that have been reworked in the last few decades?

Appreciate your thoughts.

 

[von Marwitz]

Question - as I dip my feet back into ASL after many years...

I recently bought a copy of the eASLRB and expect I will use it extensively for playing/reference, however I really do enjoy reading a physical copy better. I have my old hardbound copy of 2nd edition rules (mostly original 2000 pages that I had custom bound). Will I be doing myself a major disservice if I am reading that to get back into ASL rather than the new eASLRB, or are the changes manageable enough that once I've done my read through I can switch to the eASLRB and focus on re-reading specific sections that have been reworked in the last few decades?

Appreciate your thoughts.

What I have done over the years is to put replacement pages into my paper rulebook over all the years. But I have not kept track of how many that have been eventually. So I cannot give a good answer with regard to a "pristine" paper ASL rulebook from 2000).

You are not the only one who likes the true "paper feel", though.
There might be an option for you depending on the quality of your eyesight:
The Pocket ASL Rulebook has recently been updated and includes the changes over time including up to those published in Journal 16, i.e. around last Oktoberfest in 2025, I believe.
In this, you would find an "up to date" paper rulebook. However, as it is the Pocket ASL Rulebook, the pages are smaller (roughly 25cm by 19cm) compared to the regular rulebook (roughly 28cm by 21,5cm). And consequently, everything printed is a bit smaller.
Some players coming to age have reported that they are sort of struggling with the smaller font.
If your eyesight is sharp and you want an up to date paper rulebook besides your electronic version, then I say go for the Pocket ASL Rulebook.

von Marwitz

 

[Robin Reeve]

There also could be the possibility of printing the eASLRB on US Letter format paper.
Not the cheapest solution, though – but you could just print chapters A-G.

 

[Michael R]

There also could be the possibility of printing the eASLRB on US Letter format paper.
Not the cheapest solution, though – but you could just print chapters A-G.

I believe A to D would be enough for someone returning to the game.

 

[BlitzkriegBeast]

Does anyone know if MMP explicitly allows printing off the contents of the eASLRB that one has legitimatly purchased as long as it's for one's own personal use?

 

[Robin Reeve]

Does anyone know if MMP explicitly allows printing off the contents of the eASLRB that one has legitimatly purchased as long as it's for one's own personal use?

There is no legal prohibition.
No more than having the pdf on multiple devices.