Squad Leader

A walk-through talk-through of Russian turn 1 of The Guards Counterattack from the 1977 Avalon Hill game "SQUAD LEADER"

[@NoNameC68]

I remember playing this game once with my uncle when I was a kid. I didn't really understand how to play exactly, but he would ask me what I wanted to do and pretty much guided me through my turn. I loved it. That memory stuck with me ever since then. Recently, I decided to search out this game so I could play it properly as an adult. I lucked out too. Most copies of SL were sold with the chits punched out already, and none of the sellers could guarantee all the pieces were there. I don't blame them for not wanting to count them all. But, after a bit of digging, I was able to find a copy with unpunched chits. I still haven't played the game yet, but hopefully I can change that relatively soon.,

[@1MahaDas]

We played this game back in 1973 and 74. I can't believe that it is still around but I suppose that this a testament to its popularity! Good for Avalon Hill!

[@rabbitsnrayguns]

I played this mission with my son last night and we made so many mistakes! Thank you for this. Really helpful.

[@jimsmith7445]

Just found you yesterday... and was I ever in luck!!!!! OK, a little history... I picked up SL around six or seven years ago. Back then the expansions were cheap and I picked up multiples of all I could (Cross of Iron, etc). I've had them sitting in the Plano boxes for awhile now, and find investing (from scratch) in ASL, NOT a good prospect (WAY too much money!) So after heavily investing in PanzerBlitz and Panzer leader (maps and specialty counters), I'm putting my time and energy into SL. Imagine how thrilled I was to find you going through the ebb and flow of the game. I hope you will continue to unmask this gem... including trucks and tanks (smoke and indirect fire). THANK YOU!!!!!

[@StewsReplay]

100% classic....VC are so important....many a games are lost when near the end of the game, the VC are reviewed and the looks of despair are witnessed....

[@rotorhead6396]

Thanks so much for doing this playthrough of Squad Leader. It brings back a flood of memories. I bought this game when it first came out; my buddy and I played it over and over again. I loved this game. Time to dig it out of storage and try a little solo action!

[@SCHRUBBE1966]

I e got to get this again. What a wonderful game for battalion battles

[@johnschultz6731]

Very well presented. Thank you. Brings back all kinds of fun memories.

[@chrisperrien7055]

For the first scenario, this was pretty intense. Defintely was "the hook" for the game. Even though that +3 for stone buildings got kinda old . It was nice to get to the "HedgeHog" and get out of the city so to speak. :)

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

The frustration as German as you lose radio contact, or as Soviet and they don't lost contact. Ha!

[@gridlink]

Super helpful for understanding the game! Thanks!

[@zifnow]

Back in the 90's I played this scenario countless time alone :) trying to involve my friends but never been successful because SL was seen as an extremely complicated game. I think i played all the campaign games alone for years :D

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

Have you tried Advanced Squad Leader?

[@zifnow]

@@DavidGarvinTechnophile yes, but it requires much more effort. I think SL has the right balance between fun and rules complexity, even if something is not really fair, like KIA results.

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

@@zifnow The advantage of ASL is that there is a massive community and if you wished, the Starter Kits are inexpensive and 12 pages. Relly is a much better experience.

[@Jimo1956]

Awesome playthrough. Thanks for taking your time to create this video and share it. I've watched a handful of other introductions on other channels. The odd one her there maybe more "fancy", but your's are IMHO the best and easiest to understand. Why? You work witj plain basic methods of education and communication. Demonstrative, you show for example how the infantry fir table/procedure works during the first move. Others mention it. but don't go into detail. But it's one of the most important mechanics!!! Falling into the old trap, we are all prone to, just because I know it, I can't assume newbies also do. Clear language, no constant repetitions, no ummmms or errrrrs, good sound, using pauses/editing were it makes sense. More time needed when preparing the video, sure. If one has forgotten a rule, is unsure etc. etc. etc., not rumbling around in the rules, worse the room, just pause the darn camera. Teaching has a lot to do with feelings. You do the above mistakes, even unintentionally, you will lose your listener, viewer, learner. You are good at what you are doing. And boy was I happy when you mentioned in bypassing in one of the previous SL modules introduces (was it Crescendo of Doom?) sniper and bypassing rules. I was under the imression that they only appeared when ASL hit the markeit. Herard from some people that was the case. I like both. I'm finally starting to restart my gaming endeavour with SL, thanks to you. Fortunately I have two SL modules I bought ... wait for it ... 30 years ago. Also ASL and 3 modules, but never managed to game them. Family, job, no other players (living in Germany). But I also started gaming tabletop inteaad. Mainly WW2, Moderns and Napoleonics.

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

Thank you for your kind words! I needed (and now have) a tripod to assist in my videos. I'm also just getting into being able to do streams using screen captures, etc, so hopefully I can redo these. Thanks!

[@mecallahan1]

you're rule book looks like mine. I've had my copy since 1979.

[@farfarawaywargames]

Thank you for an excellent overview of how the game plays. I picked this up a few years ago and recently have been looking to play it. I just read the first 21 sections in the rules and you video is the perfect accompaniment to help understand the nuances.

[@charleslatora5750]

Have not played a long time still have my Squad Leader, Cross of Iron & Cr. of Doom. Need to try this again. Was out of gaming 25-30 years. Started playing again when I retired 3+ years ago. And buying LOTS of games. Old n new. I'm even thinking about picking up a copy of GI anvil of victory to add to the "collection". Expensive. Probably should have jumped on that copy I saw for 90 bucks about half a year ago. Patience. Patience. Great video. well done. subscribed.

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

Thank you for your comments. Do note that I play ASL Almost exclusively now. That said, I will be doing some SL videos from time to time.

[@FlameKettle]

Fantastic!

[@hex2redonealpha102]

Oh nice! Thank you!!! Was wondering when you were going to get to do this, as I watched your other SQL series vids, glad your doing so :-)

[@jasonkasprick6370]

Thanks for putting up these Squad Leader videos! I am currently reading the instructions and going over your videos constantly until I can find the game. I was also wondering where you purchased that nifty dice tower? I like it because it seems smaller than most.

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

I got the dice tower from a guy online. Can't remember who it was. He was making them and selling them. I support the community, so of course I had to buy it. And thanks!

[@wsclulin]

Great video, thanks for posting. Seems to me that leader DRMs should not impact the terrain effects. In other words, an increase in firepower from the firing units the leader is directing makes sense (and therefore possible that the leader does not have an additional effect once you get to 18 fire factors) but I'm having trouble conceptualizing why a leader would weaken the effect of covering terrain which is really the effect you demonstrated as the leader DRM was applied. Help a newbie out....thanks

[@benjaminsteinberg1896]

6.3 units may exceed stacking limits during movement so long as hexes are not over stacked at the end of the movement phase.🤗

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

I'm probably thinking of ASL because in that game, though you can over stack, there are penalties, including during movement.

[@benjaminsteinberg1896]

More Squad Leader videos please!

[@bloodyvlad8893]

I loved playing this game ! You use to have your own counter didnt you ?10-2 American?

[@StewsReplay]

Funny how the Hmg has los to the Russians on the right side on some boards and no low on others. I think my board is clear.

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

Yeah, I think it's clear on the ASL SK style boards

[@laszlozoltan5021]

you should link to multi-man publishing who is still selling ASL, rules, modules and parts

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

I know. I play test there once a month. I play ASL as a rule.

[@peterdunn5808]

Just picked this up again after 30 years away. As a kid playing this there were a number of rules that we just didn't use which this video has explained very well (penetration, multi-floor LOS) At 26:00 when the broken squad in J2 routs, it's a choice not compulsory. Is that correct as Rule 13.46 states a broken unit already in a building or woods hex may elect to stay in the target hex?

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

That's right, it was voluntary. Sometimes it's a good idea to rout away from potential fire attacks

[@jimrobinson1069]

Excellent example play. Is there something you have posted somewhere regarding the rally phase (which did not apply on turn one)? The rule book makes it overly complex.

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

I've not yet; however, when I'm home from vacation, maybe I'll do just that!

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

Hi Jim. The Rally Phase video is up here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZKulaCFaZ1mpdk Cheers! David

[@jimrobinson1069]

@@DavidGarvinTechnophile Thank you, sir. Very helpful! I am pulling this game out of the closet after many years and just starting to get into it.

[@jasonkasprick6370]

In 21:30 of the video, you didn't apply a -2 DRM for the German firing Units even though the Russians moved into the building. Is it because the Russians stopped? Is the -2 only applied in spaces moved through but not stopped?

[@jasonkasprick6370]

I think that I can answer my own question with rule 16.5: the -2 modifier is applied when moving in OPEN GROUND target hexes only!

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

The Dice Roll Modifier (DRM) only applies in the hex into which the fire is directed. Even though they did move through the streets, the fire was at them in the building.

[@jasonkasprick6370]

@@DavidGarvinTechnophile thanks. I am finally confident with the rules for Scenerio 1 and I have been playing it solitaire for a few days now. I absolutely love it and it is amazing how the tides can turn in the game! Thank you again for the videos you have put up. They have helped immensely!

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

@@jasonkasprick6370 Thank you for your comment. Glad to be of help! :)