Jon H, aka “witchbottles”, the editor for the top notched Advanced Squad Leader newsletter “Point Blank!” gave me the following advice when I first join the GameSquad forums.

It’s only after a month later when I realize the true value of his words.  I went back to him and he gratefully gave me the permission to repost what he told me for the benefit of all.

So here we go …

The Best advice garnered from many an ASL’r much better than I:

• Read the rules, pick one chapter every month and read front to back, including footnotes.  (Credited to Carl Noguiera)
• Follow the time-honored “programmed instruction” (“Eight steps to ASL – A programmed instruction approach”, The General, v30n1) Basic infantry; MGs and SW; terrain variations; guns and mortars; Vehicles and AFVs; Climate changes; Air support; then paras and gliders; night ; then PTO; finally DTO . The system was designed by Jim Stahler, and it works!  (Jim Stahler – remember that German 9-2 counter?)
• Read EVERYTHING you can get your hands on about ASL:
  • all the play aids at Desperation Morale;
  • all the View from the Trenches issues, ( they are free);
  • all the old The General articles ( likewise, same place);
  • the old At the Point ASL rag ( at the same place).
  • Get Banzai ( free from the Texas ASL club); then use the Texas ASL club,
  • Wall Advantage at blogspot;
  • the SoCal ASL club websites to look at AARs on any scenarios you are planning to play for the first time.
• Use ROAR to understand play balance; use the ASL Scenario Archive advanced search routines to find scenarios to fall into the above mentioned order of learning.
• It will go quick if you used to play Squad Leader. Big changes are in the vehicles, Guns, and defensive fire and support weapon mechanics. Walking in with Squad Leader – GI Anvil of Victory you have about 10% learned. ( the rest will be no longer used).
• Play, play, and oh yeah …. PLAY. the more the merrier, and the most diff opponents you can find!  (Credited to Gary “Fort” Fortenberry and many, many others!)

KRL, Jon H

How about coming home everyday to 30 mins of PBeM game over VASL?

Whether you are a fellow newbie who would like to learn together or an experienced ASL’r who don’t mind helping me up the curve – please message me at jackson-dot-kwan-at-gmail-dot-com.  I play to enjoy and to learn!!