Unboxing Advance Squad Leader Beyond Valor, with lots of commentary

This has been unboxed many times, so this may only be of interest for anyone wanting to know why I'm diving into ASL. Thanks for watching and tell me about your Advanced Squad Leader experience.

[@JOHNYLAW100]

That’s what I originally planned to do but I found that ASL solved a lot of problems with the basic game and made it more realistic. I played simple scenarios to start with. I started playing the basic game in the 70’s and have been waiting for 40 years to have the Marines! Finally. I have a great set up in my house and try to play an hour each night. I am still learning but seem to pick up the rule book less frequently. Enjoy!

[@CounterProductiveGames]

I agree, I switched to ASL starter kit, not the full rules, but it does add some rules that I think fixed things like opportunity fire. Happy gaming!!

[@kenc9236]

I remember playing this and ambush way back in the 80's. I lost all my games in a bad break up (she threw them out) now its 2022 and I am wanting re-buy. Thanks for the video buddy.

[@CounterProductiveGames]

Thanks for watching. I hope you can rebuild your collection!

[@vinniethefinger7781]

I went through two collections. First set lost when I was away with the military and second due to a break up. ASL was the only game I ever learned front to back to front. Loved the game. Forgot to mention this but when I learned ASL I used Paratrooper and more importantly I used the examples listed in the rulebook and expanded from there. I purchased the core rulebook, Beyond Valor and Paratrooper at the same time. We used to play giant battles on a pool table. Lots of cussing and head scratching. Those were the days. I never had an MMP version. If I remember correctly they liked to use map sheets instead of boards. I always preferred the boards myself.

[@CounterProductiveGames]

I like mounted maps in my games, but I think the cost these days would be passed on to us and these are not cheap already :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts and taking the time to comment.

[@TheSGBrown]

Elegant method to store ASL are bead storage trays. Plastic, with 32 spaces and other available sizes, too. From Walmart at just under $7 at this writing. Best of luck! :)

[@CounterProductiveGames]

Actually, I went to walmart the other day and bought their 1 inch by 1 inch bead bags 100 count. So I'm bagging these bad boys, but now I need a way to sort the baggies lol. I liked the baggies because I always have a problem with storage trays. I end up with maybe 2 counters of something that take up a whole spot. And I hate mixing counters because I like everything to have it's own space. I don't think I'll ever be happy with my storage methods lol.

[@garciaemir]

This unboxing is the best I've seen for BV so far. It connects at an emotional level. My copy arrives in a couple of days, it's the same as yours. I'm so excited!

[@CounterProductiveGames]

Thank you for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@vinniethefinger7781]

I used simple nut and bolt containers with the sliding plastic drawers for storage and labeled them. I had two Beyond Valors due to some of the battles getting so big and the platic bag solution didn't work out and the solution I did end up using was cheap, stackable and if needed you could wall mount them. And I remembered correctly with MMP and the much-hated map sheet. Thanks for posting these vids and I'll be watching pretty much everything ASL related on your channel.

[@CounterProductiveGames]

Thanks. I plan on posting more, have some other things planned first, but thanks for sticking around. Nice game, but I'm definitely enjoying taking it slow. It's no race as a friend pointed out to me, as long as I'm having fun, that's the key. Once ASL becomes a chore, then not worth the time.

[@doncossack1016]

My ASL rulebook is the only wargame that has survived my many moves and purges over the years. Bought in 1985, and on my table as I speak (write).

[@CounterProductiveGames]

I have to admit, it's a good system I overlooked, and I can see why it's stood the test of time.

[@lacrauzorro]

The double time movement you mention, it's the "CX" counter, that applies a penalty for exhausted troops. I think it's in the admin counters sheet.

[@CounterProductiveGames]

Nice, thank you

[@PrimarchX]

I've got an old Squad Leader box with Cross of Iron and Crescendo of Doom (all time greatest name!) around somewhere that I pull out now and again. Lots of more modern systems have come along to displace it, though. ASL had all the issues you mention weighing it down when I looked at it. However I spent a couple of years playing regular SL with a friend who otherwise didn't wargame on football Saturdays, no problem.

[@CounterProductiveGames]

And so far, the counters are working just fine using basic squad leader rules, so I'm not unhappy with the purchase. Even though it's old, it's a good system I think.

[@davidlhsl]

ASL Classic Scenarios converted to full ASL are available at MMP's website. Go to Resources > ASL Downloads > Scenarios from ASL Classic. I'm not certain how well they translate back to original SL, though. I tried to get into ASL seriously a couple of years ago by getting SK1, full ASL rulebook, Beyond Valor, and Yanks. Plan was to teach myself via SK1, then graduate to full ASL. It's just too much of a beast for me, so I got rid of it. I do respect the system greatly. That board 1 you were wondering if it was from original SL for Guards Counter Attack: I believe so. IIRC, when the original ASL came out with Beyond Valor, you had to own the original SL game to use map boards 1-4, which weren't in BV. The reprint of Beyond Valor you own not only contains those map boards from original SL (so you don't have to buy that game), but they've added many scenarios and boards that were published after the original BV (perhaps from ASL Journal?). That reminds me of another deterrent for me: while BV is, I believe, self-contained, the additional content needs to be purchased in a specific order. Making this problematic is the fact that the parts of the full system go in/out of print all the time, so you might get Rising Sun but find yourself lacking Yanks.

[@CounterProductiveGames]

Thanks for the comments. Since i'm not strongly familiar with the system, I played the guards counterattack just using the little bit of knowledge I have and it played great because I don't know any better, but I had a blast. I even got my son to play a scenario and he enjoyed it as well. I now I'm playing well below the intended rules required to play, but I figure if I'm having fun, then I must be doing something right! However, the game is still ugly compared to newer games, and that can be a bit of a turn off to digging it out all the time.

[@makdaddi3921]

There is Minden Games “Retro” 5th edition rules to consider as an alternative rules set for ASL products….

[@CounterProductiveGames]

Interesting, I'll have to have a look, thank you!

[@perfidiousalbion5985]

Actually, you can probably get the original Japanese Module for ASL "Code of Bushido" for a fall lower price than the current product. Lot's of folks that picked up the new version probably are trying to dump their older copy anyway so opportunities are out there.

[@CounterProductiveGames]

not a bad idea since I'm pretty sure the older stuff will work with the new stuff.

[@vinniethefinger7781]

Hate to be a pain here but I used the different colored dice for the counter stack. 3 squads 3 dice etc. White, yellow, blue and black for the counters top to bottom. That's how we used them at any rate. Can't remember much from those days. I bought my own dice. Took me about a year to learn the system.

[@CounterProductiveGames]

that makes sense, that would allow you to roll for different things like morale at one time since the color codes would refer to the order to apply the dice results. Clever.

[@johnwood2364]

Ancient counter designs 😂 yup!

[@CounterProductiveGames]

Even though I don't like the ancient counter designs, the game itself is really good!

[@StewsReplay]

You mentioned SK rules online. They are just as long as the SL rules and have more application to the BV games. SL has the PI, but is drastically altered in the ASL system. If you are willing to unlearn a lot, your process can be one method, but SK will be a bit smoother. Good Luck!

[@CounterProductiveGames]

Thanks. One step at a time.

[@MrDiscodaveII]

Minden Games Retro Rules 5th Edition. That's the path I'm going down.

[@CounterProductiveGames]

2nd time I've heard about that one, looks like I'll have to check it out myself. Seemed reasonably priced.

[@VonChoker]

Also don't bother with the IIFT as it is unimportant. You will also find that combat focusses on bases of fire and maneuver elements causing routing to eliminate the enemy rather than outright killing troops

[@CounterProductiveGames]

Thanks for the input. The IIFT seemed to be pretty popular, but if it's not needed, i'll just stick to the original!

[@anab0lic]

Hasn't been any activity on this channel for a while, are you ok?

[@CounterProductiveGames]

I'm good, thanks for asking. I was taking a break and it just kept going :)

[@seriouslyiknowhowtoread]

Where'd you get that squad leader ruleset?!

[@CounterProductiveGames]

There is a Facebook group where you can download for free!

[@seriouslyiknowhowtoread]

@@CounterProductiveGames whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa... mind is blown

[@seriouslyiknowhowtoread]

@@CounterProductiveGames looked up Squad Leader 4th Edition Squad Leader what else should I look for lol!

[@VonChoker]

If you find ASL too much then I really suggest starter kit 1 as the best place to start. I will admit it is best if you can get someone to walk you through it and this is certainly possible thanks to the fantastic Vassal online engine which was made to make ASL playable over the net Also I played Squad Leader and all its expansions. Starter kit is like the first Squad Leader box but upgraded to a far more nuanced and interesting game. As much as I love the original Squad Leader and still have it the starter kits are a much better starting point

[@CounterProductiveGames]

Thanks for that. It is definitely on my list to get sk1. I think as I get more comfortable with SL I may find myself ready to move on.