Advanced Squad Leader Rulebook: 2^nd Edition

Complexity Very High Cost £40 Duration Long Players 2 expands to 1 Producer Multi Man Publishing Size Small

Premise

Fight WW2 at the squad level

Review

When ASL was originally released, it was innovative in many respects. Perhaps most notable was its well typeset colour looseleaf manual, still extremely rare, and a real novely at the time. As expansions were added, rules changed or clarified, the old rule book and the many additional rule pages from the ASL expansions got a bit unmanageable, and the old basic rulebook was missing key components that could only be bought in expansions.

One of the more unusual aspects of the ASL package was that you could buy the rulebook separately (at least the basic rules), which meant that learning to play was a relatively cheap scenario (compared with the cost of a full ASL set). What the new edition provides is essentially the same old manual, but with all known rule corrections, all new basic rules added by HASL modules such as Red Barricades and Pegasus Bridge, and new examples and revised and new reference sheets. This means that once again, someone can play ASL in the European theatre without the need to purchase any new modules.

Since the demise of Avalon-Hill, the torch has been taken up by Multi-Man Publishing. As part of their revision of the ASL package, many rules, especially the introductory Section K, have been moved into the new rulebook (obviously they will be removed from the new expansions), and other subtle changes will doubtless be made to take into consideration that the original Squad Leader has been out of print for some time (and will remain so).

As well as the corrections, Section K, and terrain rules from the HASL modules, Section E - the optional rules have also been moved out of Yanks and into the basic rulebook. There are extended examples on important and complex rules such as rout and close combat, and at last a fully updated index, so you can find the rules you want in the first place. There are also various popular play aids included, such as the IIFT, overrun and OBA flowcharts.

On the downside, the rule book no longer comes in a slipcase, which I think is a retrogade move. Also the section dividers no longer have tabs, which makes them more robust, but there is no indication what section they relate to. Grognards would have no trouble, but it could only confuse beginners. But these are relatively minor complaints, and the new examples and generally clearer presentation should more than make up for the deficiencies.

Some people may be disappointed. The original rulebook was quite hard on the eyes, and the new rulebook is slightly better but still not perfect, many of the tables could have been made clearer and easier to read within the constraints of the space available. I would also have liked some indication of what was different in this version compared with the last old edition - sidebars would have been useful. I would also have liked fewer acronyms and abbreviations, and to be rid of the confusing EX for "for example", and EXC for "except" (what's wrong with e.g!), but then it wouldn't be ASL would it ?

Expansions

Solitaire

There is a Solitaire module for ASL which may be of interest to beginners.

Rating

Back to Home Page