What's on your table right now?

[GJK]

Doh!  Yeah, didn't notice that from your photo.  Makes a bit of a difference!  Red number under the piece indicates how many each of that piece is in the scenario.  It's ok though.  A great way to learn is to not even start with a scenario but by just putting some pieces on the map and then practice how to move them and then shoot with them and then the hardest part of ASL - the defensive fire principles.  If you can master defensive first fire, subsequent first fire, final protective fire and finally defensive fire phase, you will have it licked.  ;)

[Bison]

Well I'm playing though to the end.  I will admit the whole defensive fire phase is the most convoluted piece of rules writing I've ever read.  I think I suffered an aneurism on the fifth read through!

[GJK]

Jay Richardson's complete articles on ASL(SK) are a must.  His article for SK3 (Tanks) taught me how to play using AFV's.  That feature alluded me for years and years but he broke it down in to understandable concepts and I've finally learned how to use them - and wait until you learn them too...man, playing with AFV's is a hoot!  Here's his article on SK1 and the Defensive Fire Principles.  Again, a must read - take a look if you haven't seen or read this yet:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/88350/explanation-of-rof-and-defensive-fire

Edit:  I forgot that I repro'd the article on my website (with images):  http://garykrockover.com/ASL/ROF.html

Oh yeah, this is basic but is a nice illustration of the DF principles as well:  http://www.multimanpublishing.com/DFFDemo/tabid/78/Default.aspx

Oh man, your head is probably ready to explode.  Ok, here's some YouTubes on the Defensive Fire Principles:

My man, Joe Steadman did one:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_VVIYSFrao

idjester has a complete series of ASL newbie how-to's.  His videos were also a big help with learning AFV's.  He's very dry and since it's late, you may start to doze off....but DON'T!  :)  His video's give lots of great info.  Here's the one covering DFF:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdD7QXVfnhE

Check out the others in his series as well (if you can keep your eyes open for them).  ;)

[Rekim]

I started off AFVs reading Jay Richardson's tutorial too. There's something about the way chapter E is laid out that makes it very difficult to learn by reading. I bet SK 3 is a good way to get started.

[Bison]

Not sure what you need the scapel for unless it's to clean the cuts on the counters.  You might look in to getting one of Oregon Laminations newer corner rounding tools and clip them counters clean in that case.  :) 

I really wanted the scalpel yesterday when I was removing the counters from the sheets.  The expansion pack set was not very well cut and I had to use a razor blade to insure I didn't mangle the counter in a futile attempt to punch out a counter.  I just keep thinking I want a scalpel, I want a scalpel.  The razor blade worked fine but I just think I'd have better control with a scalpel.

Deep thoughts with Bison on Sunday morning.

[GJK]

X-acto knife perhaps?  I always use carefully aligned scissors and cut out the rows and then individual counters. 

Well, my ASL match for today got cancelled.  We were going to meet at our FLGS where he works.  The store closes at 6:00 but he has the keys.  We were going to have a "lock in" ASL game fest with a few people.  Oh well, maybe next weekend.  I did send off my VASL pbem set up last night of S15.  I'm playing somebody that I have not played before.  He was seeking a pbem opponent on the ASLSK folder on CSW.  We'll see how badly he beats me.  :)  I'm playing as the Ami's in this one and he's attacking as the Germans.  I have a couple of HIP AT guns (firing HE) protecting the city square.  He's got an 81mm mortar and a shrek and a heavy MG that can tear me up if I'm not careful but otherwise, I think he's got a tough challenge ahead.

[Bison]

I'm not sure how PBEM would work in ASL given the fact that the defender can fire during the attackers movement phase.

Sorry your game got cancelled.  Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, I have no FLGS or war gaming buddies to experience such disappointments at or with here.  Hence I roll solo.

[Bison]

X-acto knife perhaps?  I always use carefully aligned scissors and cut out the rows and then individual counters. 

Exactly.  The razor blade worked well, but one of these babies is really what I wanted.

[GJK]

I'd be afraid of mis-cutting.  I guess with a straight edge it would be fine.  I have an X-acto knife set with that knife exactly and a metal ruler.  Stop by and borrow them if you like.  :)  Seriously though, I find that a sharp pair of scissors work just fine for me.

[Bison]

I'd be afraid of mis-cutting.  I guess with a straight edge it would be fine. 

I was too, but there was no other option and I was determined to finish separating the counters.  In the end, they turned out looking pretty good...for non-clipped counters that is.

[Bison]

Started to work on putting the stickers on my Carthaginian army while watching some football.

[GDS_Starfury]

X-acto knife perhaps?  I always use carefully aligned scissors and cut out the rows and then individual counters. 

my precious....

[Bison]

Mission Accomplished on my sticker CC:Ancients.  Holy moly that was a lot of stickers.  It sort of makes me dread picking up any expansions.

[Rekim]

Ya need a big table for this one. plus a few sides. Axis & Allies 1940 Global

How big is that map? I've been thinking about making a gaming table and I'd like to know the upper end of something like that.

the map measures 70 inches wide by 32 inches high (178 x 81 cm)

The biggest wargame maps I have are 32 inches deep. Only a couple are that big. Most are 24 inches or less. I recently updated the desktop on the bench I regularly use for solitaire wargames. The plexi-glass sheet I have fits perfectly on the new 96 x 24 inch top.

[GJK]

Yes, and when placing the miniatures in areas like France, Germany, Poland or Italy, you have about a 1/4" square (6.35mm) to fit everything in (for both sides).   ???