Scouting Report 27 - Prokhorovka! Unboxing

[@ddbishopsr]

Great scouting report, Neal! I really would like to pick this one up - really, really bad ... hahaha Seems Advancing Fire did an incredible thing for all involved by apparently making the German SS in both gray and black. Even so at least one respondent had an issue. It's funny but back when Squad Leader came out in '77 and Cross of Iron followed before 1980, the black SS counters that first appeared didn't seem to have so many detractors. But those times were a little different and we didn't have the whiners we have nowadays. Look ... I'm of the older bunch and we had real problems then. Blacj cardboard wasn't one of them! It was like the plastic German model airplane kits. Many were models of an actual museum plane. German Luftwaffe fighter or bomber - that bombed cities. But by the mid 70's a certain lobby began to whine and soon all German model planes decal sheets were minus the tail swastikas. For Christ's sake! ... it's a model plane that existed. It'' s history. You don't get to just rewrite portions you don't like or find offensive. If a swastika bothers you than when you buy the plane throw them away - but don't deprive me and others of having a real museum piece of history. You can even boycott a company but you don't get to remove their product from those who are interested in the truth. Here Advancing Fire provided a product with gray SS counters for those with a tender spot for the SS ... and people are free and entitled to their aversions. Just don't try to project them on the rest of us to the point we don't have our own choice. that's history. And ASL is a study in history - it comes with the territory. And in my day we called a spade a spade and dealt with reality. Enough whining already. If the SS bothers you play PTO.

[@ASLAcademy]

Agreed. I hate the "black counter" debate, because their detractors seem perfectly okay with using counters with the "SS" symbol on them. But the color black?! Nope, that's my line in the sand! Like you said, they're entitled to their aversions, but I will always use the black counters to represent SS. It's just the color of a piece of cardboard, and it's just a game. /shrug

[@ddbishopsr]

Thanks for the backup, Neal ... Hey ... I didn't mean to get you involved in this odd controversy, nor did I mean to stir up any trouble in the ASL family ... I do like harmony ... but I still have a beef with the crowd that ruined model building and now they are trying to do the same with the Squad Leader universe. Just picked up MMPs Operation Watchtower off Ebay ... hate to say I paid a buck, seven fifty (plus S/H) but I recently got the ASLSK #4 and will adjust by bringing in full ASL rules as they apply. ... Pretty excited. ... Merry Christmas!!@@ASLAcademy

[@MrElliptific]

nothing short of breathtaking. I was able to score one of the few packs remaining, like anywhere.

[@Levin-ey1bu]

Counters look superb. This is what MMP ASL should look like. ASL is a fantastic system, but these counters would really add to the game.

[@Jezza_One]

I have a 10ft by 4ft table area this looks interesting. The quality of the counters alone and the reasonable price convinced me to buy it.

[@mattmcclelland2372]

Incredible art on the counters. Thanks for the unboxing. Wow!!

[@vinniethefinger7781]

Someday maybe, those of us interested will get a big, beautiful and realistic map(s) of Guadalcanal. I'm just getting back in after about 20+ years so if the map exists, please let me know.

[@vinniethefinger7781]

@@ASLAcademy I picked up Rising Sun and Blood and Jungle. Those should keep me occupied until I'm dead :) Thanks for the link.

[@HistoricalConflict]

Very nice counters

[@paulsaunders6536]

If you thought ASL couldn’t get any more complex, buy this module. Terrain variants, LOS cranked up to 11 or 12, tweaks to standard rules. It isn’t a pick up and play module, the changes take time to absorb. The slopes, hillock combos, light woods all combine to create a very different playing experience that will take time to adapt to. Oh yeah wooden buildings are grey…. That said it oozes history, taking shots on the right hand edge of the table TH table is nice and you’ll get historical numbers of AFVs. A labour of love.

[@tomw324]

Amazing production value. Incredible maps, really gorgeous and I like the way the tree areas are in the correct scale showing individual clumps rather than the symbol graphic style of the typical ASL board . Got a copy of Lone Cannuck's Drive for St Lo at the same time and a fantasy would be for a hedgerow St Lo game of this same quality and size.

[@b.o.4492]

Thank you for this. What killed it for me is the strange box and the counters. Mixing those with Beyond a Valor where they don’t match won’t work with my OCD. IF it was self contained I’d be all over it. Well except for that strange box. Enjoyed the review.

[@amphora8321]

Thanks for the steady close-ups. Really helps phone user's like me. Good vid as usual, not rushed. Cheers

[@the2halfsquads]

One million views? We are jealous. Nice work. Some folk do love their boxes. Wonder where that idea came from.

[@StewsReplay]

HOLY SHIT !! Those COUNTERS!!!!!! Yeah Black SS.... It doesn't mean anything. It's a color.

[@unpaintedleadsyndrome]

The production value has gone up from their previous offerings, really glad I pre ordered it. Orsogna will be a definite must buy. Now, I just need to find the time to read the book... Ran across it a bring and buy at a wargames show. Only 1600 or so pages. Goes well with a 100+ tanks ASL game 🙂

[@jonclark299]

Awesome, thanks for the view.

[@thesixth2330]

did anyone else noticed the pages are all too small for a normal page protector? What is up with that?

[@fraternitas5117]

Looks awesome.

[@clanky44]

This looks amazing. I'm surprised they didn't incorporate some sort of command control, similar to what's available in SASL but for tanks. Tanks within a platoon/company would be required to remain in formation and in proximity, especially the Russian units. Tanks getting out of formation (distance) would run the risk of having a lower command rating and failing a command control die roll, limiting their activity within a given turn. Rolling for command control in tank platoons would create a greater level of uncertainty just like one experiences in SASL.

[@thesixth2330]

disappointed that the pages aren't normal size. In a normal protector I get 1/2-inch space on both sides, height is okay. What was the reason behind that? The thin, glossy paper is very susceptible to ripping. Other than those few gripes, awesome product!! Advancing Fire is firmly established in the ASL World.

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

That’s funny, I was thinking minis before you said that. Interesting.

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

That would be great and a challenge on VASL

[@milky55way2012]

Just for your info Neal, there are no Optional Rules included, despite the reference 4 Optional Rules in the module per Cebi Cataliano.

[@scottrowland2989]

Excellent! So when do we start playing? I guess my only question would be, I wonder how balanced the scenarios are and what they play like? Maybe we'll find out soon???

[@gianlucagatti4576]

Arf we need to buy a bigger table ^^ The sheets are not perforated? What is the format page ? EU or US?

[@tacticaljackie4023]

Great stream. Have you played this?

[@ASLAcademy]

Not yet. Modules of this size are an incredible time investment.

[@jacklitt]

are there any playthroughs of the campaign. Great unboixng and on my list "to buy"

[@ASLAcademy]

I've not run across any, other than a few pictures on Facebook. To play the full campaign requires a very large table and a lot of time. It's probably more convenient to set it up and play it on VASL.

[@jacklitt]

@@ASLAcademy thanks for the quick response.

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

Full boxes are nice.

[@e-4airman124]

nice job thank you very much

[@HissyCat]

Why did you have to show this to me?? I am now digging in my couch for change to help pay for this module. Great unboxing. =)

[@HissyCat]

@@ASLAcademy lol... so true!

[@wademoore2061]

My only complaint is on the rules/scenario printing. They used a very slippery paper! It would be nice on heavier matte paper. or provide PDFs so we can reprint them on the paper of our choice. Otherwise, this is a GREAT product. Really nicely done.

[@Hammer1126]

I want this , who makes it and how much does this cost?

[@unpaintedleadsyndrome]

Thanks to the dice gods for having a 10 by 4 table in the attic 🙂

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

It’s a lot of Money for me and east front. But if Orrin’s is coming…then maybe

[@Nick_R_]

Other than the SS counters, this is a great looking module. Tempting... Great video, as always.

[@thesixth2330]

LAME

[@clockmonkey]

It feels likes I've paid £90 for some trucks with a 12.7mm MG on them.

[@the2halfsquads]

Certainly isn't our show.