Advanced Squad Leader Tutorial #0 - Where Do I Start!?

This "prequel" Boot Camp video is one I should have done from the get go. The eternal question: "ASL: Where Do I Start!?" I give you some SL/ASL history, do a complete comparisons of all the systems and how you should approach them ... giving you all the information you need to make up your own mind. Then towards the end I give you a recommendation on where to begin and exactly what you need to start playing Advanced Squad Leader.
Also check out this "What is Advanced Squad Leader" article I wrote:
asl-players.net/what-is-advan...
ASL Programmed Instructions (bottom of this link). This article is also The General v30.1 and the ASL Annual-1990:
asl-players.net/downloads/Eig...
0:00 - Thanks, Supporters!!
0:10 - Squad Leader History
4:59 - Squad Leader Dependencies
6:31 - ASL Starter Kit Dependencies
8:53 - Full ASL Dependencies
12:50 - Detailed System Comparison
37:46 - My Recommendation
Boot Camp tutorials are rule and tactical discussions for new and veteran players. These tutorials are mere summaries and examples and are NOT meant as exhaustive replacements for reading the relevant rule sections.
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[@mr.horseshoe2301]

Full ASL is so fun. I regret wasting time with SK. All you need to do is to watch Neal’s Boot Camp videos and you’re set. I’m also happy with just Beyond Valor and Yanks. Thousands of hours of fun with those two boxes alone.

[@waitforasa4900]

I actually watched till the end, didn’t think I would fair play sir

[@hpdrifter2872]

Getting back in after a 25 year hiatus. I have Starter Kit #1 to "ease" my way back in. When i take the step back to ASL one thing I this video helped me figure out is that I'm definitely going with the pocket version of the rulebook over the 3 ring binder. Seems much more handy to set and read.

[@ASLAcademy]

It is, and I recommend getting it spiral bound at your local office store. Can't remember if I mention that in the video. I have another video where I talk specifically about just the different RB versions and you can see what it looks like spiral bound.

[@bltwegmann8431]

I bought the starter kit and quickly abandoned that for the full ruleset. I didn't like the idea of learning the light ruleset and then having to manage the changes to the full set. And frankly, I think anyone who truly enjoys this is either a lawyer or an accountant and the rule complexity is part of the fun.

[@brunobgiovinal]

I never dared to take the plunge, thanks to your step-by-step videos it's done : ASL Starter Kit 1, 2021 Reprint, ASL pocket Edition Rulebook Second Edition,Beyond Valor (ASL module 1)- 3rd edition, ASL Red Factories.

[@ASLAcademy]

Welcome to the ASL world! Join one of the communities that clicks with you and you'll find more assistance if needed. Bold getting Red Factories! I haven't even play either of those CGs! 😅

[@brunobgiovinal]

@@ASLAcademy thanks , to approach red factories, you would advise me to add ASL Pocket Chapter H and others rules books ?

[@russbarker9066]

I'm getting back into ASL all the way.. what's great about the starter kits is it gives someone who has never played a chance to play at a small scale.. yes it does not have all the rules as ASL.. but it gives someone a place to start to see if they will like the system.. i remember Squad ledder from years ago and the small bite size of the rules was great.. for everyone looking at the game ASL... do not be overwhelmed by the size of the rules... Any one can learn to play this game with videos like this channel.. thanks for all your hard work..

[@ASL-Spotting_Round]

Excellent summation of the three systems, Neal (I also watched til the end). I started with SL back in the early 80s transitioning to ASL by the early 90s. Unfortunately I took a long break around the time that MMP took over so missed out on their early HASLs. Re page count, my eASLRB is 714 pages, to which you can easily add ~400 for the HASLs (based off my PDF compilation). For new players I can see the benefit of SK as an introduction, but feel that full immersion into ASL (ideally with a knowledgable opponent) is better. As you said, there are many scenarios that use as little of the rules as possible, or they can be overly complex, and everything in between. Playing via VASL should help in this regard. Keep em coming.

[@ASLAcademy]

Thanks. I look at SK1 as a cheap way to check out the system.

[@ASL-Spotting_Round]

full ASL and your videos 😄@@ASLAcademy ...the only way to fly.

[@Qarlo99]

All your content is much appreciated . . . within the limits of keeping yourself healthy, of course. Thanks.

[@1955shooter]

As someone is thinking diving it, I thank you.

[@kaiyuan4481]

thx a lot，i'm a new player,is ready to go into ASL's big famliy step by step.Your excellent and detailed tutorials do good help to me.

[@ASLAcademy]

Glad I could help!

[@RonLWilson]

Forgotten War is not stand alone but has dependencies (as is stated on the back of its box).

[@ASLAcademy]

I stand corrected, thanks! I've not jumped into FW yet.

[@RonLWilson]

I figured that was the case.@@ASLAcademy

[@jbrousseee]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm actually starting to learn ASL, so this video is really helpful for me!

[@ASLAcademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-cq6dm9gq4u]

I watched until the end. Thank you for the link to "Eight Steps to ASL" and your continuing explanations of the system.

[@ASLAcademy]

YW, I found it extremely useful back in the early 90s.

[@firstfire7773]

As always, fine production here, Neal. This is perfect for someone trying to figure out the SL/SK/ASL systems. This is information I wish I had 5 years ago when I was first trying to understand the differences and what I needed to buy just to get started. Your 40+ min video covered what took me months decipher. BTW, I watched to the end.

[@ASLAcademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Nick_R_]

Very good. I still prefer the original, with the optional rules for real time defensive fire. Maybe that's nostalgia, though the programmed instruction still works.

[@scottbarnes1364]

A friend and I are learning the system. I appreciate you making these videos.

[@ASLAcademy]

Great to hear!

[@riccardorinaldi3369]

Total newbie here - thanks much for this orientation! (and yes, I did watch it to the end ;) )

[@ASLAcademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnpayne498]

Geez you are putting in work. This is well done and actually useful.

[@Corsair37]

What a great video find, and recent at that! I've been debating dipping my toe into ASL - I played the original SL in high school, right around the time ASL was coming into existence. Being a broke high school sutdent (and then a broke college student), ASL was never in the cards for me (though my friend got it) - I couldn't even afford the GI Anvil of Victory expansion for the original SL (though I did get the first 2 expansions). Your video really helped clarify the difference between the starter kits and the full set. I'm not afraid of the perceived complexity of the core rules - I played SFB (Star Fleet Battles from ADB) for 20 years until around 2005 - bit the initial buy-in is a bit steep since I'm not 100% sure yet. I think I'll dip my toe via the first starter kit, as its a low entry price. I was thinking about starting with Starter Pack #4, but that's twice the cost. If that gets me back into ASL, I'll go fort he core rules and the Beyond Valor module. It looks like the binder rulebook is out of stock, and there's no indication of it coming back, which is a shame because I'd prefer the binder (I had one massive binder for SFB core rules, and bunches of smaller binders for SSDs, annexes, and scenarios). In the meantime, I'm going to work on watching all of your other bootcamp videos. Thanks for detailed review and discussion of the various paths, and I wish you and yours a Happy Holiday season.

[@ASLAcademy]

Wow, thanks for the great post! I also put up an article on my website (url in left video header) about the ASL system ("What is Advanced Squad Leader?"). Also, to get a comparison between the different rulebooks and charts see this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6O1ooaciMiFhpo

[@Corsair37]

@@ASLAcademy thank you for the quick reply, sir. I'll definitely check them out! Also forgot to add that I watched to the end :)

[@abrickwo]

I watched till the end, thanks.

[@chrishambrick5360]

Thanks for the video. Watched the whole thing.

[@ASLAcademy]

You're a patient man. 😁

[@fastfreddy3103]

Got into Wargames back in the ‘70s while in the Army. N. Fort Lewis. My buddy bought Squad Leader & we were addicted. I got one. Home on long Christmas leave I bought another. Now I’m an old man, retired. I have a room full of ASL stuff including the two original Squad Leaders. ASL up to Mod 11, ASL Jounals x5, Action packsx3, numerous The General Mag. After the service I played solo all my life and got to the point I was just buying the stuff automatically. Getting back into it, rereading my rule book now Enjoying your video Scenario AP41 The Meat Grinder sits before me. I have a thing for 1941 Barbarossa Sorry I ramble…☕️

[@ASLAcademy]

No worries. Good to see people returning to the game. Enjoy!

[@VonChoker]

this is a great video and a necessary summary of the system that I'm surprised no one thought of doing before - great work

[@geologistnick]

Thanks very much for this video! I have the first three SK modules, and have tinkered a bit with them. I only have my 8 year old son to play with, so I'm a bit limited in how far I can go. I have been really keen to taking the leap into full ASL, but it's been hard to understand what I need to buy. You've helped clear that up. The next challenge is finding things in stock. I'm always a bit baffled that a system that is so popular is also so hard to find in print, especially in the UK.

[@ASLAcademy]

MMP is much better about keeping core modules in print. It used to be you'd have to wait 5-10 years to ever see a module again. Go to this page to find some links to European stores that might have ASL: asl-players.net/links/

[@VonChoker]

I'd also argue that Starter Kit does have programmed instruction to some degree not just because of the 4 core modules but because within those there's a ramping up of rules if you play your scenarios in a sensible order. E.g. starter kit one you can begin with retaking Vierville which has no support weapons and play a few times to comprehend the turn sequence and then add a scenario that only brings in machine guns and so forth

[@ASLAcademy]

Very true. Thanks for the comment.

[@BobDarlington]

Watched till the end.

[@kaiax33]

Wow! Great overview and sorely needed for those new to the system.

[@MadOgre22]

I watched to the end

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

Well done.

[@callumr1998]

Thank you very much, this helped a ton!

[@ASLAcademy]

You're welcome!

[@Erebus17]

Good video, watched till the end :)

[@ASLAcademy]

Legend!

[@thomasblaine7948]

Great job as always!

[@javitang1]

Gracias por sus videos. Saludos.

[@schapman89]

I watched until the end, thank you!

[@Tarquin2718]

Legend mr.

[@georgehiotis]

The system was scrapped? There is a horde of players that still hang on to the old rule set and have not taken the leap of faith to ASL. Personally, I find all wargames complicated to the point where some are not playable, but with ASL I was fortunate to come across fellows like yourself that have made the system more accessible. Thank you Neal.

[@ASLAcademy]

Abandoned is probably a better word. AH literally left the system high and dry and pretty much abandoned the system.

[@rotorhead6396]

Awesome intro video. I got Beyond Valor and the rulebook for Christmas and am looking forward to learning the system. You did a wonderful job explaining how a noob like me should get started. :)

[@ASLAcademy]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@skippen]

I tried to ASL from SK. Never got it. Taught ASL by a veteran.

[@glenntuulailaureys9970]

😂😂😂😂I have watched till the end

[@ASLAcademy]

An ironman. 😂

[@patrickboyer6431]

Great presentation Neal! I'm re-starting to play after a 20 year absence, fortunately I bought 90% of the modules so it is very exciting to learn and play again. I have a question, does the eASLRD have a single word search function? Thanks in advance and I look forward to your next offerings. Patrick

[@ASLAcademy]

Yes, the pdf version of the rule book is full searchable and hyperlinked. In other words, if a rule section references another rule you can click on the link and it will take you to that rule section.

[@patrickboyer6431]

@@ASLAcademy Thanks. What I meant to say is when the app is open, can you do a Ctrl-F search for one word and it will show you all the different locations for that word in the app if there are any? Thanks

[@ASLAcademy]

@@patrickboyer6431 That's probably dependent on which PDF viewer you use. I use Foxit PDF and it will highlight all occurrences in those 700 pages and you can cycle through them using "previous" and "next" buttons.

[@patrickboyer6431]

@@ASLAcademy Thanks!

[@russsandbags1967]

Do you think they’ll ever do an ASL 3rd edition?

[@ASLAcademy]

I don't think so, just updating the existing ruleset. There really isn't a huge difference between 1st and 2nd edition ASL except some cleanup and I think a few rule sections were re-written to be more "clear".

[@thestoicsteve]

I have the asl starter kit 1. You say that the starter kits add bits to the rules as you go from 2 to 3 to 4 etc, but if I jump straight to kit 5 will I get the counters and maps that are in 2,3 and4?

[@ASLAcademy]

There's no SK5. If you buy SK4 (Pacific Theater) you'll get everything you need to play the scenarios contained in that module. This applies to all four of the SK core modules. So no, if you buy SK2 you won't get the counters and maps that are in SK1. Each builds on the system, but each is also self contained.

[@waitforasa4900]

Never played only found out about this literally last night. Quick question is there a resource system, with fuel and ammo for different units and maybe food for infantry

[@HistoricalConflict]

I like how you cant even get the rules for the full game. I watched till the end, all of your vids. Keep em long I say

[@ASLAcademy]

The Pocket RB and pdf rulebook are available. Don't hold your breath for the 3-ring binder version.

[@HistoricalConflict]

that sucks. I guess I will to do the pocket one. I was just scared off when the MMP site said it was no replacement for the binder one@@ASLAcademy

[@HistoricalConflict]

I got the electronic book. I hate you now. Thanks for these vids though appreciate it@@ASLAcademy

[@jamesbennett7550]

Any suggestions on a 3rd party publisher the might do "longest Day" counters???

[@HistoricalConflict]

So in the Electronic one I have like 10 versions of the rulebook now. What is the one to use the latest one seems to be 2.1?

[@ASLAcademy]

v2.1 is the latest on Wargamevault

[@HistoricalConflict]

oops yes 2.1 I meant ok thanks@@ASLAcademy

[@shakerHeightsChannel]

Correct me if I am wrong: the Charts and Chapter H are in the core rulebook but people purchase them separately for easier reference?

[@fsmoura]

You know you're off the deep end when you need a _warm-up_ to the _prequel_ to the _introduction_ to the _preliminary summary_ to the _simplified version_ of the _actual_ game . . . 😂😛😎 _"So, what's this video you wanted me to watc-hey, why are you locking the door? Wait a minute, this isn't a video about cats! Looks like some complicated wargame!"_ _"Just watch the damn video! I need someone to play with!!"_ *_*readies the Clockwork Orange eyelid device*_* (" oДo)

[@adamcondon5120]

Just recently i looked at the MMP website and the rulebooks were all sold out. Does MMP reprint the rules from time to time?

[@ASLAcademy]

@adamcondon5120 The Pocket RB should be reprinted soon. I wouldn't expect the big 3-ring version anytime soon. The electronic version is always available (with free updates) of course.

[@AngeloAlvarenga]

Where tô buy starter kit?

[@ASLAcademy]

Depend you what country you live in. Here are some links: asl-players.net/links/

[@tristramardern8774]

I watched to the end