September 1, 2008
Episode 9
And we’re back with an action-packed episode featuring — you guessed it — MMP’s ASL “Action Pack 4“, also known as “Normandy 1944″. Our pal Joe joins us in the broadcast foxhole as we unwrap and reveal the contents of this highly-anticipated (at least to us ASL addicts) addition to the ASL arsenal. Watch out for those “bocage” rules!
We also cover some listener comments, talk more (yes, MORE) about counter storage, ASL boxes, snipers, and lots more. It’s 81 minutes and it’s all ASL. Dig it!
Listen Now:
Standard Podcasts [ 81:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (852)
gre81 said,
September 1, 2008 @ 9:35 pm
I am new to ASLSK and have listened to all your shows. You guys are great. Thanks to you, I’m spending too much time reading rules and playing on Vassal. I have played SL way back (so long, I can’t remember), and you have sparked my interest. Seems that ASL has a huge popularity. And now, one more can be added to the fold. Last week I had to take a 5hour road trip to see my wife (she lives in another state, yeah I got it like that). I listened to you the whole way there and back. Made my trip seem short. Thanks for all you do.
the2halfsquads said,
September 1, 2008 @ 9:50 pm
Thank you, gre81, for listening and taking the time to post. We’re glad you like the show and happy that we kindled (B25.11) your interest. We’re thinking of including a verbatim reading from the Rule Book in each show, starting from page one. One chapter per show. Talk about exciting! You’ll be looking for reasons to drive more.
Roll low.
Jeff (& Dave)
Ian said,
September 2, 2008 @ 2:34 am
Thanks again, fellas. I’ve been checking the page regularly waiting for the next podcast. Haven’t listened to it yet but loved all the previous ones so far. Thanks!
Jeff : Re your last comment about reading verbatim from the rulebook, obviously tongue firmly in-cheek, but… It would be really helpful if you more experienced guys could ‘distil’ the essence of a rule into it’s important parts. Often a rule is really hard to get your head round when you read it from the rulebook, but when it’s explained plainly and you understand why the rule exists it becomes logical and sticks in your mind much better. Just a thought.
Cheers Ian
the2halfsquads said,
September 2, 2008 @ 6:08 am
You’re right, Ian. My remark was mostly tongue-in-cheek. I’ve often thought it would be useful to have an unabridged reading of “The Rule Book” always at the ready on my portable MP3 player — and that still may happen. But your suggestion is much more practical for general podcast purposes. Hmmm. Don’t be surprised if you start hearing us do this by the next show. Thanks for the excellent suggestion!
Jeff & Dave
Cpl. Uhl said,
September 2, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
Do the reading with the “What’s in the Box” reverb!
the2halfsquads said,
September 3, 2008 @ 8:11 am
Hey Cpl, what an excellent SUGGESTION!!…SUGGESTion!…SUGgestion..suggestion.
Jason said,
September 5, 2008 @ 8:24 am
Good episode. I have Action Pack 4 but haven’t played anything out of it yet. You guys really made it sound interesting. In the “Apples to Apples” scenario, I would be afraid of entering on the open field board because of the awaiting hidden Panther. I would take my chances with the board filled with bocage. (I guess the halftracks full of squads would come in last in either case). This scenario definitely sounds like one to try.
John said,
September 5, 2008 @ 4:02 pm
just listened to this program and how does your guest get hull down in 44p4? it’s an open ground hex that isn’t on a hill or crestline or any type of terrain that would be able to go HD? unless there is a SSR in Apples to Apples that allows for the panther to set up HD. I don’t have AP4 so, i don’t know if there’s an overlay with HD allowable terrain, which might be the case…but, if it’s just board 44 and in hex p4 it’s open ground level 0 hex…just curious
Kevin A said,
September 6, 2008 @ 12:37 am
Hey guys. Maybe I can make it into 2 episodes in a row. Then I can try for a Dimaggian like run!!! Jeff, can’t find Code of Bushido?? VASSAL!!!! You get as many Japanese squads as you could ever want. A whole Division…A whole Army, no problem. VASSAL can be played FTF.
Kevin
Joe Pellam said,
September 6, 2008 @ 9:26 am
Hi Kevin,
Apples to Apples uses several overlays and the one in particular for the area I mentioned in the podcast is Hd10.
trebormills said,
September 7, 2008 @ 4:05 am
Just listening to this now…I love the history section from the prior podcasts but you may want to cut down the intro music/speech as its a bit long every single time. Loved it the first time but now i just fast forward past it.
MMP reprinting paper/card maps……. looks good for completing your collection. Sadly my credit card has expired but new one goes live tomorrow
the2halfsquads said,
September 7, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
I put a lot of effort into the Speech collage and will be reluctant to cut it. Jeff will probably want to so I hope he doesn’t see your comment. We don’t do a lot of history segments so you won’t hear it very often. I suppose it is a little long but I love that kind of stuff, with the speeches and the war sound effects. It fires my imagination. Does anyone else out there like the speech collage?
I ordered a set of the thin boards so I’ll have doubles. Jeff should look into it .
Thanks for the input. Dave (of Jeff and Dave)
Brian said,
September 8, 2008 @ 5:57 am
Great show! Nice to hear Joe again. I really enjoy your podcast and I hope you guys have as much fun making it as it sounds like. I confess I have made some audio readings of the ASLRB and put them on my ipod. I have a job where I have lots of listening time and its nice to pound those ASL rules into my brain. Yes, it’s dry as toast, but every once and a while it’s fun and you catch little things each time you listen.
Keep up the good work!
the2halfsquads said,
September 8, 2008 @ 6:56 am
We love having Joe as a guest and hope he returns again soon. We have been trying to develop a chip of the ASLRB that can be implanted in your head. Our aging brains need it. Sounds like your technique is the next best thing. Dave (of Dave and Jeff)
Trev Edwards said,
September 13, 2008 @ 12:37 am
Hi Guys, Just got round to listening to the latest full episode. Writing to say that, in the episode 9 ‘cast, you confirmed something I’ve always suspected: The building level rules are easier for us Brits to handle than for you in the US. Over here we refer to the level 0 (at ground level ) as the ‘ground floor’ in real life buildings. For us the ‘first floor’ is the first floor above ground level. You can see therefore that the ‘1st level’ in ASL equates to our real-world ‘first floor,’ and so on. Lucky us.
I think 9 was possibly the best episode yet. Continuing to enjoy the podcast and particularly so when you have your more experienced friend Joe in there with you. I hope you’re not offended if I point out that he brings something to the podcast which the less experienced presenters struggle. As a very experienced player myself I do like to hear another experienced player on the podcast.
I’d be interested to know whether the ‘hits’ you talk about are for the site only or whether they include the people like myself who have iTunes (or other podcast client software), which download the podcasts automatically for us to listen to where and when we like.
the2halfsquads said,
September 13, 2008 @ 11:18 pm
the2halfsquads said,
September 14, 2008 @ 7:53 pm
You are right about the level thing. You are wrong about Joe having more experience. I have the most. I think the difference might be that Joe is careful to prepare in advance and Jeff and I enjoy the informal banter. I realize I say I think a lot even when I am sure, so I will try to stop doing that. I don’t perceive myself as struggling with anything really. The hits do include the itunes downloads cause I looked at the hits stats yesterday and it clearly said itunes on some of the hits. Dave (of Jeff and Dave)
Mark Humphries - Manila, Philippines said,
September 15, 2008 @ 11:00 am
Great show, 2HS is my favorite podcast. Kudos!
As an ASL beginner i’d appreciate: - segments on ASL tactics - segments explaining rules sections in plain english (routing for example) - an introduction to armor in ASL
Also, where can I order a 2 Half-Squads T-shirt? (hint, hint)
the2halfsquads said,
September 15, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
Mark, Thanks for the suggestions! We will have a lot of strategy suggestions in the next episode, and in plain english. I am seriously thinking about a logo and a T-shirt but need some time to get it done. Glad to hear you might be interested.
Dave (of Dave and Jeff)
Trev Edwards said,
September 15, 2008 @ 3:19 pm
Sorry Dave, didn’t meant to offend… I got my wires crossed.
the2halfsquads said,
September 15, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
No problem Trev. I have an old brain and will just have to get used to that fact (partially true, partially kidding). Bottom line is Joe is a great addition to the show, and your feedback is always valuable.
Dave (& Jeff)
Stephen said,
September 19, 2008 @ 9:30 am
Hi Dave & Jeff (& guests),
I haven’t posted for a while but just to say that I have listened to, and enjoyed, all the podcasts. You are getting slicker!!
Keep up the good work. It always a good day when my iTunes has downloaded a new podcast for me to listen to on the way to work.
Cheers, Steve
the2halfsquads said,
September 19, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
Thanks, Stephen. We recorded Episode 10 last night, so be looking for it over the weekend. I think it’s our best show yet!
Martin said,
October 9, 2008 @ 8:19 am
Hi you two I have been so busy, I’ve not got around to listening to your Podcasts but I had a couple of days working on my own and I downloaded you and put them on. I laughed a lot, had a really good time listening to you both and even learned a few things.
However, after two days and 9 episodes, back to back, I had to admit to that it wouldn’t bother me if I didn’t hear your voices for a while. No disrespect intended but I now hear your voices in my dreams.
the2halfsquads said,
October 13, 2008 @ 8:59 pm
Take a break and get some sleep, and we will try to stay out of your dreams. Dave (and Jeff)