October 17, 2009
Episode 26: Round Table #1
Today we fill the broadcast foxhole to capacity and hold our first “round table” discussion. Can you guess the topic? Well, if you answered “Advanced Squad Leader”, you are absolutely correct. Joining us today are three Chicago-area ASL veterans, Louie Tokarz, Rich Spilky and Bob Holmstrom. Add to that mix ASL vet and T2HS co-host, Dave Kleinschmidt, and we have an ASL virtuoso quartet gathered for your listening pleasure. The forum is open and relaxed, and if you like sitting around talking about your favorite hobby with others of like ilk, then you’re going to like this episode a lot.
The running time for this show is nearly 90 minutes, but we only got to a small handful of the the topics we wanted to discuss. You know what that means . . . there will be more round table discussions in the future, with lots of different guests. Egad, so much to do, so little time!
If you’re looking for Listener Mail, Box Art Review, Quiz Show, History Report and other T2HS regular segments, sorry, but there was no time this time, but join us next time — which will be coming along in a short time.
Dig it.
Todd A Reed said,
October 17, 2009 @ 11:27 pm
This was very well done. Really enjoyed the “banter” around the table. Very informative, yet fun to listen to. Something that stood out to me. The hex size is a huge thing for me. This is a big reason I like Combat Commander and Conflict of Heroes. Big hexes, little stacking, and very clear counters.
Dave, what WWII miniatures rules do you prefer and what does it take to get started in that hobby? Seems like it would be a lot of money just to get enough “equipment” to have two sides ready to fight each other? Feel free to email with this if you don’t want to use ASL space on this topic.
Keep up the great work and hold another round table soon. t
The 2 Half-Squads said,
October 18, 2009 @ 9:40 am
Todd,
Thanks for your comments. Yes, the hex-size thing is an interesting idea, though one I hadn’t given much thought to until Rich mentioned it to me one day, but it makes so much sense — especially since MMP is now reprinting/selling a complete set of map boards in the “new Starter Kit style”. How had would it be to make them 25% bigger? We’ll put this question to Keith Dalton of MMP the next time we interview him.
I’m sure Dave will fill you in on his miniatures in a separate message.
Thanks for listening!
Jeff (and Dave)
Casta said,
October 18, 2009 @ 11:34 am
Jeff and Dave,
The round table was an interesting change of pace.
I totally agree with the Kindling “default” being backwards; it should have been set up that an S.S.R. would have to invoke it.
Regarding “Grounding Noriega”, that is a rare M.A.S.L. design of Operation Nifty Package by Mark Neukom of “Kinetic Energy”. IIRC, players in the final round of the L.A. tourney were given the counters, rules, board, and scenario card. I have mine somewhere in the archives, but I haven’t dug it out in a long time.
You guys coming out to West Coast Melee this year?
Keep up the good work.
Casta
theSandmanCymru said,
October 18, 2009 @ 12:08 pm
Hi guys,
Compulsive listening as always - and a great idea. I look forward to the next knights of the round table discussion - Ni !!!!!!
A big thanks to you and your kin-ig-its
Cheers
Phil
Anonymous said,
October 18, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
There are 3 “Band of Brothers” SK scenarios available on this French website (scenarios available in English): http://lm.polar.free.fr/aslsk.htm
Eric Gustafson said,
October 19, 2009 @ 4:33 am
Great show - well done. Especially liked the suggestions: Larger hexes and rule subscription (I know they’re avoiding “live” online rules - but the subscription sounds reasonable. Keep up the good work..
jake264 said,
October 19, 2009 @ 10:49 am
Australian Balancing System for ASL scenarios 1-32 and DASL scenarios 1-18: http://www.aslwebdex.net/aslwebdex/articles/Crossroads/ABS.htm
CPL UHL said,
October 19, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
Great show guys. Sometimes its good to just talk about ASL in general rather than in specifics.
By the way,… where is noobie doobie doo pt. two.
Vince said,
October 20, 2009 @ 5:04 am
First time listener, and I really enjoyed the show! I’m currently working backwards listening to all of your previous episodes…excellent work guys, very informative and entertaining. Being that I’m only a newbie to the ASL system, and only play SK’s, I also appreciate your discussions pertaining to the Starter Kits. Again, keep up the great work…BRAVO!!!
John Bark said,
October 20, 2009 @ 2:57 pm
I think that VASL is quite popular. The only reason I think your round table guys do think so, is because you all have regular face to face opponents. When you combine VASL and Skype it’s the next best thing to playing FtF. And you don’t have to worry about hex size or the huge amount of counters in one hex, because it’s all handle on a computer. Of course, nothing can take the place of FtF. And for you Chicago area guys, the amount of ASLers in your area makes it easy to play FtF and you have no NEED for VASL. But, the rest of us who don’t live in a large city area, VASL is WONDERFUL and allows us “country folks” the ability to play every day if we so choose. And against not only players in the US, but players from all over the world! I’ve played some great ASLers on VASL from Finland, England, Japan, Denmark, etc…if you only play FtF from guys in Chicago, you’ll never get the chance to play other world ASLers unless they go to ASLOK or you play on VASL…enjoy the round table discussion…well done fellows! Well done indeed!!!
Hi John. Thanks for your comments. We certainly don’t want to discount the importance or value of VASL. And you are correct that we who are blessed with a teeming gaming community perhaps do not fully appreciate VASL. In light of your comments — which are not the first on this topic — I am officially and publicly putting a VASL episode on the show schedule, though based on our current outlines it will be five shows from now. That should put it some time in January. I’m picturing a complete VASL “how-to-get-started” tutorial, tips for play, and perhaps an interview with some VASLer of note. As with all the episodes, I can’t wait to get started!
Thanks for listening.
Jeff
Rob Henriquez said,
October 20, 2009 @ 9:36 pm
Great show!
Like some of the other commenters I’ve just started listening and really enjoyed the shows I’ve listened to so far. One of the best things for me is that I seem to learn something new about the game or a resource from every show. As a “returnoob” to ASL I find that incredibly helpful.
Thanks for all your efforts and please continue!
jrdoty said,
October 21, 2009 @ 8:59 am
So I have a question about the Austrailian Balancing System. What is it? I just barely got Beyond Valor a few months ago. Does that mean all of my scenarios are significantly off balance?
Eric Walters said,
October 31, 2009 @ 11:40 am
This was a great episode covering a lot of topics I would love to comment upon. But perhaps the most thought provoking one for me was regarding the fate of ASL in the future. I first got into the game via Don Chappell (a Marine Captain and one of the first national ASL tourney winners back in the day) who led a playtest for AH at the Camp Pendleton Conflict Simulations Club. I’ve played off and on ever since and have found myself teaching new players over the decades as opposed to mastering the game, particularly the desert and PTO rules. So I have invested a lot of time into this game and the system. But if I were starting over, I’m not so sure I’d go this route. I love ASLSK too and have gotten people into that game, hoping they’d make the transition. But ASLSK is awfully good in its own right. On top of that, those other tactical games you mention are easier, just as colorful, and pretty darned good. They may not have the expandability, depth, and coverage of ASL, but they are easier to play, have a high degree of interactivity, and so on. I guess I’m saying I got into ASL back in 1984 (during the playtest) because there was nothing else even remotely like it–today you’ve got ADVANCED TACTICAL/TOBRUK SYSTEM (ATS), COMBAT COMMANDER series, the LOCK ‘N LOAD “HEROES” series, and–most recently–CONFLICT OF HEROES. Now, there are a great many advantages to ASL of course, but these are not readily grasped immediately without a sense of dread at the expense in time and funding. I think the challenge these days is not only get new players into the system, but keeping them there to the point where they begin to see and reach the wargaming vistas that ASL offers. Like some of you, I think that the game series is in danger of extinction in 30 years unless it develops a younger following–one that is robust and deeply involved.