When it rains it pours. I had gotten some inspiration for a solo hecrawl, I've been having fun playing around with solo-dungeon in Savage Worlds, and then a trip to the used book store drops another solo project in my lap.
ASL was one of those games that always sparked my interest, but never got around to hunting down.
That looks like it could be a pretty good game.
ReplyDeleteWow! What used book store do you go to?
ReplyDeleteASL is a great game, but don't take it lightly. It is complex, it takes time to understand, and even more time to master. The solitaire rules are a game on it's own, and as complex as the parent game. All that said, it is a very rewarding game, with great narrative and memorable moments, I just didn't have the stamina to keep playing/buying it and sold all my collection. There are other games that provide the same with fewer rules creep.
ReplyDeleteEduardo Henrique Schaeffer I've been perusing this tome off and on today, and it does have the "first steps of a long journey" feel. However, I have to give a shot. I've been picking up the old mounted maps for years to use with other games and always said if I came across the core rules I'd pick it up. I got even luckier because they also had Beyond Valor (Module 1) with fully intact chit boards.
ReplyDeleteAs I said, it is a great game, you'll surely have fun with it. As a suggestion, get the Starter Kit 1, it is good game on it's own with the added bonus of easing your intro to Full ASL. :)
ReplyDeleteJeff Bernstein I'm not sure if they have Half Priced Books in your neck of the woods, but here in the Minneapolis area they often turn up some real gems. The one closer to my house always has a great selection of used rule books.
ReplyDeleteThere's been some missed opportunities too. Occasionally I see something and decide to sleep on it, but it's gone when I return the next day. I had to stop myself this time at the rules and Beyond Valor. They also had Module 2,3,4, and the first two sets of ASL Deluxe Maps. I could have dropped $200 easily.
Geoff Osterberg Yes, there's Half Price Books near me. Their stock doesn't seem to change very often but I have scored once or twice. And I have blown it by sleeping on it as well!
ReplyDeleteYou can play Steve Jackson Games' Ogre solitaire. They re-released the original pocket edition for $3.00. There are published articles on playing it solitaire as well. Not nearly as complex as ASL.
ReplyDeleteFor solo ASL, I recommend just playing both sides according to their starting plan.
ReplyDeleteThe actual solo rules are madness :-)
Also the starter kits are fantastic and extremely playable.
ReplyDeleteWe basically mix in some of the full game rules like Heat of Battle when playig those scenarios.
I started out playing the original Squad Leader with my cousin and we purchased the add-ons as they came out. Love that game to this day. Wish I still had my copy.
ReplyDeletePatrick Usher I found a complete copy sitting at a used games store when visiting Wisconsin last year.
ReplyDeleteWas only like 20 bucks too, I grabbed it in a heart beat.
It's worth keeping an eye on ebay for the original Squad Leader, it comes up for sale pretty regularly and usually can be had for a reasonable price if you wait. I've now got pretty much everything they printed for the original Squad Leader, for some reason I preferred it over ASL.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it can get kind of nuts on ebay but if you're patient you can get a good deal.
ReplyDeleteI think squad leader with one or two ASL rules is about perfect.
I keep meaning to try Retro from Minden games. It's a simplified ruleset that uses the SL/ASL components. I've heard good things about it and it would be nice to have a simpler, quicker playing variant. New 5th edition is just out also minden_games.homestead.com - Retro4
ReplyDeleteThat's very tempting.
ReplyDeleteIf you leave out vehicles, the main area where ASL gets chunky is the reaction fire rules which can get a bit stuffy.
We did usually leave out "residual firepower" I must admit.
Yeah the first ASL starter kit is great for quicker play or beginners since it sticks with just infantry. Still I might grab Retro, Gary Graber has some really interesting little wargames so I'd like to see what he's done with this.
ReplyDeleteIf you do, give me a shout, I'm curious about how it plays.
ReplyDeleteWill do.
ReplyDeleteThere's a few reviews on Boardgamegeek, pretty positive ones too. Plus someone has put up some files for a solitaire variant. Don't think temptation will hold out for long, though I really should play some of the other stuff I bought recently first.
Wish he sold it PDF but at least he's got it up on Amazon now so a bit cheaper to get in the UK.
Jay Doyle I'll be interested in your review as well, if you take the plunge. I'm looking forward to diving into this game, but I'm always looking for ways to get more useful out of game components. And new rule books are my weakness.
ReplyDeleteYeah, being able to play in multiple ways with the same game components is super appealing.
ReplyDeleteNo worries I'll get to it and do a quick review or something. Still between Christmas and my birthday I've got the DnD 5th edition books, the new walking dead minis game, Enemy action: Ardennes and a load of computer games to get through so it might take a while.
ReplyDeleteSetting up enemy actions though it's a 15 hour campaign so that'll keep me busy for a while I think.
ReplyDeleteJust ordered Retro 5th Edition and hunting out all my Squad Leader stuff so I'm hopefully going to have a crack at this with the solo rules someone has posted on BGG.
ReplyDelete