I have never played a Panzer General or Panzer Corps game.
ive never played age of rifles (but wish i had), or The Art of War 3
and i touch myself when viewing the 'look out behind you thread'
I am completely overwhelmed by games like War in the Pacific.
Quote from: undercovergeek on September 06, 2012, 07:43:53 AM
and i touch myself when viewing the 'look out behind you thread'
TMI, dude...TMI
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.babycenter.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F02%2Ftmi.gif&hash=6aabf656056e36061e564585974e6eeb537c6835)
I've never managed to play more than a few turns of an AGEOD game (and I own all but the ACW one!) Hopefully AJE will get me to invest in them all.
Also, I've only played a mere
fraction of the games in my Steam and GG accounts.
Quote from: undercovergeek on September 06, 2012, 07:43:53 AM
and i touch myself when viewing the 'look out behind you thread'
Dude, what's wrong with you? It's not healthy... :o
... to confine yourself to just that thread! :D
The Cleavage, Hmmm, Cosplay, Pokies, Reds, Arm Bra, and Sexy Demotivational threads not good enough? ;)
Quote from: Bison on September 06, 2012, 07:39:17 AM
I have never played a Panzer General or Panzer Corps game.
It's been so long - if I did play it I don't think I liked it too well. Or maybe I liked it but just didn't care that much. I'm sure I must have played it, but that memory has long faded if I did. Once I played Steel Panthers nothing else shined so bright.
"Light" wargames really aren't. I do think you can have too heavy a wargame, but almost all light wargames lose my attention span. There are some that are great - Shrapnel's War Plan Pacific comes to mind. But in general light equates to a realism fail in my book.
Quote from: Bison on September 06, 2012, 07:39:17 AM
I have never played a Panzer General or Panzer Corps game.
Me neither. On the other hand (maybe this is confessional?) I thought Vatutin organized those counterstrokes
in front of Leningrad. Did Vance Von Borres sort of forget that accidently when he designed the Roads to Leningrad
boardgame?
More confessional: I'm starting a blog soon with a lot of boardgame stuff in it. I hope. If I don't bore myself too much.
Some of my entry point wargames. like Panzer General and Civ II, were played only on the original PlayStation. I'm sorry.
By the way...I think the title of this thread should be changed to "Confessions of a Groghead"
I have yet to find a "counter pushing" wargamer that could hold my attention for more than an hour or so....regardless of the war.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on September 06, 2012, 09:27:10 AM
By the way...I think the title of this thread should be changed to "Confessions of a Groghead"
Done.
Quote from: Bison on September 06, 2012, 09:45:09 AM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on September 06, 2012, 09:27:10 AM
By the way...I think the title of this thread should be changed to "Confessions of a Groghead"
Done.
As much as I hate to say it, I wonder if we need to create an entry on Urban Dictionary to explain what a groghead is?
In spite of many years of wargaming on the computer I remain strategically and tactically stupid, so I often play games on easy settings just so I can survive and even, occasionally, win.
Quote from: mikeck on September 06, 2012, 09:37:08 AM
I have yet to find a "counter pushing" wargamer that could hold my attention for more than an hour or so....regardless of the war.
You mean game or player?
I do not like the Civilization franchise. :'( I've tried.
I have never finished a Paradox game, even though I've bought them all over the years. 20 years in or so and something shier always comes along.
Quote from: tgb on September 06, 2012, 11:56:15 AM
I have never finished a Paradox game, even though I've bought them all over the years. 20 years in or so and something shier always comes along.
I like to realize its that something actually fun that comes along.
I'm fickle and often make the decision on whether to keep playing something or turf it and start something else in 15 minutes at most.
I have my Steam collection categorized by game type, except for one called 'Done With'. That's for everything I've decided isn't worth it (though there are a few in there that I finished once, realized I would never play them again, and put them in there as well). It is a longer list than the rest of the categories combined.
I'm not entirely certain that I really like Space 4X games all that much.
I have purchased a game on multiple occasions based purely on it looking good.
My interest in WW2 history has been so all consuming that I've realized I know virtually nothing about any other block of history. I spend A LOT of time when I'm playing something like Crusader Kings or what not going "Who the Hell is that?" and "That was a COUNTRY?! Seriously?!"
I don't 'get' the trend of games with retro graphics. It's a fad primarily driven by people with no graphic design skills to cover up that lack of skill. Why do so many people want to pretend they're gaming with 20 year old technology?
I am also rather annoyed at the endless spiel of "They should remake this!" "I would totally like to play a new version of that!" blather. How about we let developers make new things? Take off your nostalgia goggles and move on.
Okay, so the last one is more of a rant...shocking, I know. :)
I can't bring myself to even look at a PC game that uses hexes and counters anymore.
Quote from: Rayfer on September 06, 2012, 10:13:25 AM
In spite of many years of wargaming on the computer I remain strategically and tactically stupic, so I often play games on easy settings just so I can survive and even, occasionally, win.
Haha! I'm exactly the same as you, mate. I do
try; on the rare occasion I actually finish a strategy game I will start again at the next difficulty level up, but I rarely win if it's "normal" or above.
Except Sins of a Solar Empire. I'd kick
all yo' asses at that. :D
Quote from: undercovergeek on September 06, 2012, 07:43:53 AM
ive never played age of rifles (but wish i had), or The Art of War 3
and i touch myself when viewing the 'look out behind you thread'
I've never played Age of Rifles either and I actually bought a used version many, many years ago from one of those mall stores (Gamestop maybe? or whatever it used to be called) for $8...and its still shrinkwrapped.
Also, I admit it, I do like eye candy in a wargame! With todays power PCs and graphic cards, there is no excuse for HPS-type graphics anymore.
Quote from: Bison on September 06, 2012, 10:23:44 AM
Quote from: mikeck on September 06, 2012, 09:37:08 AM
I have yet to find a "counter pushing" wargamer that could hold my attention for more than an hour or so....regardless of the war.
You mean game or player?
Ahhhh....yeah sorry....I mean a game....not a gamer
I love bejeweled.
^The Jennifer Love Hewitt Edition?
i am not nearly enough right wing to be on this board,
or to have this hobby.
Pfft there's plenty of leftist warfare to go around. You do play games with the Soviets right?
but i play the axis most of the times.
it runs in the family.
Quote from: Staggerwing on September 06, 2012, 02:25:26 PM
^The Jennifer Love Hewitt Edition?
+2 Coffee spew!!! Did no one else get this? ;D
I don't play shooters. Some give me motion sickness.
Quote from: Keunert on September 06, 2012, 02:27:32 PM
i am not nearly enough right wing to be on this board,
or to have this hobby.
LOL. Not to worry, you aren't alone. While the regular populace would most likely find me to be a centrist curmudgeon, the "Attila was a socialist" types who make up the vocal majority on this board would put me in the same category as Chairman Mao.
I only really started PC gaming in 2000 or so.
Quote from: Silent Disapproval Robot on September 06, 2012, 02:57:30 PM
Quote from: Keunert on September 06, 2012, 02:27:32 PM
i am not nearly enough right wing to be on this board,
or to have this hobby.
LOL. Not to worry, you aren't alone. While the regular populace would most likely find me to be a centrist curmudgeon, the "Attila was a socialist" types who make up the vocal majority on this board would put me in the same category as Chairman Mao.
<looks suspiciously at SDR>
I have it on good authority that Attila once supported a left-leaning politician in Rome - in his college days, of course.
Sometimes I view porn when I should be playing wargames........ 8)
i wear silly socks that suit a strange hobby
(https://i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/8/31/198d6niMNUq-G_olIPJnOg2.jpg)
Quote from: LongBlade on September 06, 2012, 03:01:13 PM
Quote from: Silent Disapproval Robot on September 06, 2012, 02:57:30 PM
Quote from: Keunert on September 06, 2012, 02:27:32 PM
i am not nearly enough right wing to be on this board,
or to have this hobby.
LOL. Not to worry, you aren't alone. While the regular populace would most likely find me to be a centrist curmudgeon, the "Attila was a socialist" types who make up the vocal majority on this board would put me in the same category as Chairman Mao.
<looks suspiciously at SDR>
I have it on good authority that Attila once supported a left-leaning politician in Rome - in his college days, of course.
Francus Marshall Davisicus?
Attila was a socialist? Crazy. I'd have classified him as a despot.
Quote from: Bison on September 06, 2012, 03:17:00 PM
Attila was a socialist? Crazy. I'd have classified him as a despot.
That would be 'Dear Despot'.
Quote from: airboy on September 06, 2012, 02:56:07 PM
I don't play shooters. Some give me motion sickness.
If they have head-bob it's almost instantaneous for me.
Quote from: Keunert on September 06, 2012, 03:08:31 PM
i wear silly socks that suit a strange hobby
(https://i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/8/31/198d6niMNUq-G_olIPJnOg2.jpg)
Please stop flashing those Tiger socks - it makes me drool - I just want some so bad it HURTS :-)
Quote from: bob48 on September 06, 2012, 04:11:03 PM
Quote from: Keunert on September 06, 2012, 03:08:31 PM
i wear silly socks that suit a strange hobby
(https://i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/8/31/198d6niMNUq-G_olIPJnOg2.jpg)
Please stop flashing those Tiger socks - it makes me drool - I just want some so bad it HURTS :-)
I asked my sister to knit those for me. Turns out it's a crochet pattern. And she doesn't want to do it. But apparently she's hiring one of her knitting buddies to do it for my x-mas gift. Will keep you posted.
You'll have to get her the Haynes manual (http://www.haynes.co.uk/tigertank/) then.
I wonder if you can get Tiger II's - y'know, for special occasions?
I found the Matrix site while looking up SPWAW years ago.. think back then the Mega Campaigns were separate... Still haven't bought it yet, due to the price, but I bought plenty of other titles from them. ;D
I bought the 'Lost Victories' Mega campaign back then, along with the Rommel one. Both are long lost now, probably accidentally deleted when I junked one of my old rigs. Coincidentally, I'm taking Eddy Steryx's copy off his hands, along with WITP (orig. flavor). Has there been any further development of the SPWaW edition that comes with the Mega campaigns?
(I'll be able to save WITP for a future GH non-playing confessional. Woot!)
I only played Steel Panthers one time and found the graphics so horrible I quit the game and started up JT's Campaign Series. :o
I didn't understand how to play TOAWIII....
Also grand strategy games like the recently reviewed DC Case Blue scare the crap out of me.
Quote from: bob48 on September 06, 2012, 04:38:14 PM
I wonder if you can get Tiger II's - y'know, for special occasions?
I can think of a lot of snarky comments but I think they're better off not expressed. (https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1081.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj349%2Flongblade%2FSmilies%2Ftiger.gif&hash=73bdbe915d1d1f9767723ffb4fd42fb12fa45a55)
Quote from: LongBlade on September 06, 2012, 06:22:28 PM
Quote from: bob48 on September 06, 2012, 04:38:14 PM
I wonder if you can get Tiger II's - y'know, for special occasions?
I can think of a lot of snarky comments but I think they're better off not expressed. (https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1081.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj349%2Flongblade%2FSmilies%2Ftiger.gif&hash=73bdbe915d1d1f9767723ffb4fd42fb12fa45a55)
Like....he wants to put a tiger in her tank? Or is that too old a reference for this crowd? ;D
Quote from: Steelgrave on September 06, 2012, 06:27:00 PM
Like....he wants to put a tiger in her tank? Or is that too old a reference for this crowd? ;D
Sadly not... *
*rocking chair creaking**
I confess to allowing myself occasional mulligans/do-overs especially when the AI gets one of those one-shot-hits(CMBN/CMFI). Or playing a turn or 2 ahead sometimes just to see what the AI is going to do(Third Age Total War). I also confess to prefer AI to play against humans and feeling oddly guilty when the victory conditions require me to invade an otherwise peaceful nation to win(ETW). I also confess to spending way too much time getting sucked into these damned irresistible subjects instead of actually playing the games. I feel like I'm sitting at a neighborhood bar.
LOL. I have the same guilty feeling with ETW, when at the end you have to invade one of your loyal allies in order to achieve the objectives to win... they should have an option, where you say, "hey this country's my buddy, choose another!"
Confession: I could never get myself to enjoy ETW, even though I love the era.
Quote from: Keunert on September 06, 2012, 03:08:31 PM
i wear silly socks that suit a strange hobby
(https://i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/8/31/198d6niMNUq-G_olIPJnOg2.jpg)
Panzerkampf slippers
Hard core. Love them.
:D
I don't finish games.
Until recently, if I was losing, I quit and didn't finish.
I play Civ IV exclusively (or near enough that it doen't matter(although, with my game filled purchase of the Labor Day weekend(Thank you for that Greybriar and GrimReaper)CKII is up now and I have Warlock when I finally tire of it)).
Quote from: Bison on September 06, 2012, 07:39:17 AM
I have never played a Panzer General or Panzer Corps game.
That's ok. Grogs don't play kiddie games.
Quote from: steve58 on September 06, 2012, 01:12:37 PM
Also, I admit it, I do like eye candy in a wargame! With todays power PCs and graphic cards, there is no excuse for HPS-type graphics anymore.
Hell to the yes. It's 2012. Enough with strategic games that look like they time traveled forward from 1990.
The few times I have been faced by my own mortal nature (open heart surgery, heart attack, ...), I find that the only things I feel I would miss at the end are my wife and my games. I feel having that list including "games" in the #2 position and nothing else must be indicative of a very shallow and meaningless life.
Oh well ...
^You really feel that way? Games fill a hole in my soul dude. A certain something I can't quite put my finger on. Say it aint so Mark!!
Gus,
Maybe for people like us, we get reincarnated to see if we can live a more meaningful life. Maybe this is why I survived the surgery and MI. I was being given a chance to have something more said about me at the end than "He sank 60,000 tons of shipping and is survived by his virtual crew that could care less".
I don't like Master of Magic.
I like SES Jutland
I'm not really that good at strategy games.
Quote from: jomni on September 06, 2012, 08:36:21 PM
Quote from: Bison on September 06, 2012, 07:39:17 AM
I have never played a Panzer General or Panzer Corps game.
That's ok. Grogs don't play kiddie games.
Nailed it. ;D.
My confession: I may have attention deficiency disorder when it comes to gaming.
I start several games / campaigns but never see them through.
I didn't:
- play the campaign of Homeworld 1 & 2
- finished Starcraft
- finished Panzer General
- played more than a few turns of Master of Magic
- played more than a few turns of the AGEOD campaigns is own (4-5 games)
- play Diablo
- finished Pharao nor any city-builders of Impression Games after Caesar III
- played the long campaign in Rome Total War
- finish any ANNO game (i own the first 3).
:o
Quote from: LongBlade on September 06, 2012, 08:37:40 AM
Quote from: Bison on September 06, 2012, 07:39:17 AM
I have never played a Panzer General or Panzer Corps game.
It's been so long - if I did play it I don't think I liked it too well. Or maybe I liked it but just didn't care that much. I'm sure I must have played it, but that memory has long faded if I did. Once I played Steel Panthers nothing else shined so bright.
"Light" wargames really aren't. I do think you can have too heavy a wargame, but almost all light wargames lose my attention span. There are some that are great - Shrapnel's War Plan Pacific comes to mind. But in general light equates to a realism fail in my book.
John Tiller Campaign Series far outshines the Steel Panther series, light enough to play quickly, deep enough to play for years and master.
I play PBEM games at theblitz.org and still get bitch slapped 2 games out of 3 after over a year of pretty constant play - got about 12 games going at all times. It seems that I suck at the game I most love to play.
MarkShot, thanks for my biggest laughs of the day so far! :D
Steve, I'm right with you. Half the time, when a strategy game is recommended to me and it looks like arse, I just won't investigate it at all, no matter how good it's said to be. We're fortunate enough these days to have a range of titles to choose from, not all of which have crap graphics, so I'll just stick with the shiny ones.
I don't like Civilization IV.
Quote from: Huw the Poo on September 07, 2012, 08:27:16 AM
MarkShot, thanks for my biggest laughs of the day so far! :D
I was being serious!
Oh Mark my man you are being too hard on yourself.
Quote from: jomni on September 07, 2012, 03:28:04 AM
My confession: I may have attention deficiency disorder when it comes to gaming.
I start several games / campaigns but never see them through.
I think that's pretty common, actually.
;)
Quote from: Nefaro on September 07, 2012, 11:27:41 AM
Quote from: jomni on September 07, 2012, 03:28:04 AM
My confession: I may have attention deficiency disorder when it comes to gaming.
I start several games / campaigns but never see them through.
I think that's pretty common, actually.
;)
Not me! I stick with a game for a good hour or two before I switch. I figure the more things I have left to do the longer I'll have to live to finish them. It's a survival strategy.
Quote from: LongBlade on September 06, 2012, 10:02:30 AM
Quote from: Bison on September 06, 2012, 09:45:09 AM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on September 06, 2012, 09:27:10 AM
By the way...I think the title of this thread should be changed to "Confessions of a Groghead"
Done.
As much as I hate to say it, I wonder if we need to create an entry on Urban Dictionary to explain what a groghead is?
oh the mind has fertile ground for that one - think beerfoam
I once skipped going to school so I could dig up worms and dissect them with a butter knife.
Quote from: Bison on September 07, 2012, 12:37:00 PM
I once skipped going to school so I could dig up worms and dissect them with a butter knife.
That's a bit disturbing Bison. Do they taste like chicken?
I don't like WW2, ACW, and Napoleon strategy games. I think these 3 eras have been played to death. I'd like to see something like War of the Roses or the 100 Years War or even more Roman/Ancient Greece games.
Quote from: Kushan on September 07, 2012, 02:17:55 PM
Quote from: Bison on September 07, 2012, 12:37:00 PM
I once skipped going to school so I could dig up worms and dissect them with a butter knife.
That's a bit disturbing Bison. Do they taste like chicken?
I don't like WW2, ACW, and Napoleon strategy games. I think these 3 eras have been played to death. I'd like to see something like War of the Roses or the 100 Years War or even more Roman/Ancient Greece games.
Sure but I was naive and thought that they would grow back into individual worms. I wanted more worms for fishing. So there you have it.
I have never played either of the Homeworld games.
I absolutely hated Homeworld. I read all the reviews in magazines and online and figured it looked pretty good so I went down to the import shop (was living in Tokyo at the time) and shelled out big cash for it. 3 hours later, I deleted it from my hard drive and put it up for sale on the expat forums.
I also tried hard to get into Homeworld, encouraged by a mate who played it to death. But somehow it just did not ignite that vital spark that made me want to play it.
played but never finished - like most RTS games it just got to that one particular level i couldnt finish and it didnt hold my interest beyond that - lots of sexy mods for it though
never played a diablo or a neverwinter night
didnt like half life or half life 2 even though i upgraded my PC to play the first one
never even seen starcraft 1 or 2 in action, in fact i have a woeful turnout in the 'best ever, ever RTS top 10'
never played XCOM - although that should be addressed in October
played Championship Manager for so long and so late it affected my health!! but still look back with a smile - Leeds Utd winning the Premiership 14 seasons in a row is something thatll live with me forever - even though id never heard of the regen sector of the game and just thought i was the best scout in the world
I have tried and failed at every RTS ever made. There is always a level I can't get past and the juggling just gets too much for my simple ways to comprehend.
I've played 2 RTS's in my life. The original Warcraft back in like '95 or so when I was stuck in the field overnight overseeing some guys on an optics test, and then Paraworld (http://www.wargamer.com/article/2137/pc-game-preview-paraworld), when I covered it for WGer. I was totally the wrong guy to cover Paraworld, but Jim couldn't find anyone else willing to go to SF for the trip.
(pay no attention to the fact that the article is STILL credited to Scott "I wasn't even working there in 2005" Parrino)
Quote from: Oche on September 07, 2012, 09:30:39 AM
I don't like Civilization IV.
I loved Civ IV!!!.. Got many hours out of it, along with II and III. I never played I.
Civ V has not been doing it for me, but I've been trying to give it more chances
1. I feel that computer wargames are for when you want to be lazy about gaming and have the computer do most of the work for you.
2. Usually in games like Combat Mission, I'll get even more lazy and just group select several units and have them "charge" just to see what happens.
3. I feel like I've actually worked all day when I play 6-8 hours of a boardgame (usually ASL) because of the "brain drain".
4. Excessive brain drain usually leads me to playing lazy player wargames on the computer until I get bored and group charge my severely beaten units.
5. The only clickfest RTS game that I still enjoy occasionally is Empire Earth and for the life of me I don't know why.
And finally...
6. Almost every computer wargame that I get, usually the first thing I do is figure out a way to change the map and units to more graphically suit my tastes. I will do the same thing for a boardgame if it's one that I would want to pbem using vassal. At times, I think that I enjoy doing graphic redesigns more than I actually enjoy playing the games. I imagine some mini players are like that with their painting and diorama designs.
Quote from: GJK on September 08, 2012, 10:50:24 AM
Almost every computer wargame that I get, usually the first thing I do is figure out a way to change the map and units to more graphically suit my tastes. I will do the same thing for a boardgame if it's one that I would want to pbem using vassal. At times, I think that I enjoy doing graphic redesigns more than I actually enjoy playing the games.
You might be able to make a decent side income working for wargame publishers/devs who need some artwork. I may be able to help you with connections if you'd like.
QuoteI imagine some mini players are like that with their painting and diorama designs.
You might be right. I sometimes get annoyed when a well-painted army (or navy) gets its butt kicked. Something that looks that good simply
cannot lose!
I've got ALSSK1 sitting on my desk. I've perused the rules during man time, but have yet to punch the counters out. Same with LnL Band of Heroes. I always get depressed when I think of setting up a board game to play solitare, so I fire up a computer game instead.
I'm actually working on the graphics for two new releases from Frank Hunter. I'm not sure how much detail he'd want me to go into and honestly I know little of the game play but one covers the entire Italian campaign in WW2 and the next covers Napolean's campaign in Germany.
For ASLSK1, get Vassal/Vasl up and running. Ask DV8, we met online and played a bit. There's lots of folks on there that love to teach new players and you could then play live online or even pbem a game.
Look up Patrick Ireland on Vassal- he's become the SK newbie guru and loves to teach. He will send over some player aids that he's collected and will go from the ground up teaching ASL. He's a great guy.
Quote from: Bison on September 08, 2012, 11:19:39 AMSame with LnL Band of Heroes. I always get depressed when I think of setting up a board game to play solitare, so I fire up a computer game instead.
Bring Band of Heroes with you to Busch Gardens next month, and we'll play a game at the hotel.
Quote from: Bison on September 08, 2012, 11:19:39 AM
I've got ALSSK1 sitting on my desk. I've perused the rules during man time, but have yet to punch the counters out.
.... well if you aren't playing it and you know, want it to go to a good home :)
Quote from: TheCommandTent on September 08, 2012, 10:25:00 PM
Quote from: Bison on September 08, 2012, 11:19:39 AM
I've got ALSSK1 sitting on my desk. I've perused the rules during man time, but have yet to punch the counters out.
.... well if you aren't playing it and you know, want it to go to a good home :)
Ha! No way dude! I still have hopes of learning to play this bad boy. I'll look into the Vassel again as my life is a little more settled now. There is a man cave next to the house, so my plan is to find a cheap card table and start laying out the boards and counters. Although I must admit that the new FoW start kit coming out next month is really tempting me too.
Quote from: Bison on September 09, 2012, 12:31:16 AM
Quote from: TheCommandTent on September 08, 2012, 10:25:00 PM
Quote from: Bison on September 08, 2012, 11:19:39 AM
I've got ALSSK1 sitting on my desk. I've perused the rules during man time, but have yet to punch the counters out.
.... well if you aren't playing it and you know, want it to go to a good home :)
Ha! No way dude! I still have hopes of learning to play this bad boy. I'll look into the Vassel again as my life is a little more settled now. There is a man cave next to the house, so my plan is to find a cheap card table and start laying out the boards and counters. Although I must admit that the new FoW start kit coming out next month is really tempting me too.
It was worth a shot :P
Is ALSSK1 out of print now?
As of a couple of months ago it was. I assume that it still is. NWS had at least one copy back then. They may still have it.
Same with #2 it looks like. I just checked the MMP site and they have this as well- appears to be a bit of all three ASLSKs:
http://www.multimanpublishing.com/tabid/58/CategoryID/11/ProductID/85/Default.aspx
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.multimanpublishing.com%2FDesktopModules%2FStore%2FThumbnail.aspx%3FIP%3D%2FPortals%2F0%2FProductImages%2FASL-starterkit-EP1.jpg%26amp%3BIW%3D300&hash=514344b878973b12f7912f0dccce83866f010f7f)
Quote$36.00
ASL Starter Kit Expansion Pack #1
MMP is proud to present the 4th installment of it successful Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit line, The Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit Expansion Pack #1. The Expansion Pack has been designed with all level of Starter Kit player in mind including something for everyone.
The Expansion Pack includes three new boards; q, r, and s consisting of a small city board, a village/woods board, and a rural woods/hill board.
In addition, the Pack comes with 8 new scenarios set in locations such as Poland 1939, Finland 1942, Sicily 1943, France 1944, and Germany 1944. The Expansion Pack includes actions pitting the Poles against the Slovakian army, Russians advancing against Germans, Americans in their struggle against the Italians, and the Free French forces defending against a sudden German counterattack.
The Expansion Pack is completely standalone providing everything you need to play the game (except dice) including new counters and updated rules and charts addressing known errata!
This product is a must have for Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit enthusiasts everywhere.
The Expansion Pack covers actions that allow any level of Starter Kit player from Starter Kit 1 to Starter Kit 3 with 2 Infantry only (Starter Kit 1) scenarios, 2 Infantry and Guns (Starter Kit 2) scenarios, and 4 scenarios with Tanks (Starter Kit 3) of which 2 have tanks on one side only.
Fight your way across the tactical battlefields of World War 2 using the men and equipment available historically. Only this time you can determine the outcome!
ASL Starter Kit Expansion Pack #1 contains:
3 8"x22" geomorphic mapboards (q,r,s - artwork available soon!)
1 sheet of 1/2" counters
1 sheet of 5/8" counters
Fully illustrated (in color) rulebook incorporating all known errata
New charts (QRDC, etc.)
8 new scenarios!
I ordered mine from NWS in March I think.
So do I need to get the ASL Starter Kit #1 (which is out of print) or can I go ahead and just get ASL Starter Kit Expansion Pack #1?
That I don't know, but I do know that if you look around at some of the board game sales site you can still find ASLSK1 still.
The expansion kit seems to indicate that it's got the same setup as the earlier kits but I'm just not sure if they would include the tutorial style rule book that came with the first one. IIRC it broke the process down nicely with minimal 'fussiness'.
Actually, here is something from BoardgameGeek on the matter:
http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/843672/aslsk-ep1-sk1-type-scenario
Jay Richardson:Quotevectorvictor wrote:
QuoteCommon advice for new players (like me) is to pick up EP1.
And that "common advice" is wrong. The Expansion Pack is for experienced ASLSK players, not beginners just trying to learn the system.
ASLSK #1 will probably be reprinted eventually, but until then ASLSK #3 would be a better choice for beginners than the Expansion Pack.
vectorvictor wrote:
QuoteI was hoping to start out with a simple infantry only (no MGs) type scenario that I'd imagine is in SK1. Unfortunately, a scenario like that doesn't come with EP1.
Here's what I would suggest: play S51 Enter the Young, but remove all of the SWs and ignore SSRs 2 and 3. Just play it with squads and leaders only.
The play balance is likely to be totally messed up, but that's not important when you are just trying to learn the system. In fact, if you play it enough times with just squads and leaders, you can probably figure out what changes to make to restore the play balance, and then you could post that here to benefit the other beginners who are stuck with the Expansion Pack.
^Thanks it looks like my hunt for ASLSK#1 continues. I am definitely in the newbie category. I've never even gazed up on the game in person.
Quote from: Bison on September 09, 2012, 09:08:43 AM
That I don't know, but I do know that if you look around at some of the board game sales site you can still find ASLSK1 still.
I've looked and looked but no luck so far.
Personally I think it's a poor business decision on MMP part to stop printing up more of the ALS starter kit packs.
Quote from: Bison on September 09, 2012, 09:38:33 AM
Personally I think it's a poor business decision on MMP part to stop printing up more of the ALS starter kit packs.
Agreed. You can't get addicted to the hard stuff without a gateway drug.
I bought ASLSK #1 but really haven't played it to death. It satisfied by ASL curiousity but I think the game just didn't suite me.
Each of the SK's are stand-alone products. SK1 covers only infantry. SK2 adds the rules for guns and includes a couple of infantry only scenarios along with scenarios that add guns. SK3 does the same but then adds tanks to guns and infantry. The best route to go is to get the Expansion Pack 1. It includes the full SK rule book with all the recent errata an it also contains infantry only scenarios, those with guns and the rest have AFV's. You can always pick up the other SK's for the maps, counters and scenarios as they become available again.
I bought the first starter kit, used, and sold it after realizing what would be involved in getting into the system. I read the SK rules, which while only 12 pages, were rather dry and dense. The full rule book is over 70 pages I think, and probably about as compelling as a law book. I also didn't want to spend 100's of dollars on all the modules and found the components drab and ugly.
I still wanted my squad level WW2 battles itch scratched, so I picked up Lock and Load: Band of Heroes. http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/18460/lock-n-load-band-of-heroes (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/18460/lock-n-load-band-of-heroes)
The designer obviously has experience with ASL. It's like he took what was wrong with ASL and fixed it. The terminology is similar, but the game is much easier to learn and get into. Rather than IGOUGO, it's impulse driven; so both players are constantly engaged rather than waiting around for their opponent to finish his turn.
The components are also gorgeous and pretty high quality. My only issues are some mind boggling quality control issues. My copy of LnL:BoH was packed in such a way that the counter sheets were on top of the folded map sections, which are smaller in height and width than the counters. As a consequence some counter sheets were bent, many counters were knocked out, and a few suffered very minor damage. I hope that the fellow who packed the box was on the first day of his new job, otherwise there's no excuse for overlooking something so obvious.
I've also bought several expansions. Swift and Bold, which adds British paratroopers, had counters printed backwards. You know how you can tell the difference between the front and back? The front is smooth and the back slightly wrinkled. The shaken, damaged, etc, side of the counter was on the front, and the full strength unit was on the back, wrinkly side! It's amazing that they didn't think to use a little oversight. What ever happened to a test print run?
Not one Step Back, the first Russian expansion, has some misprinted numbers on a few counters. I painted over them with my miniature paint and then protected the painted fixes with a thin coat of minwax polyshade. The counters are already glossy so you have to look really close to notice the layer of minwax!
I definitely recommend the LnL series, despite the minor quality control issues. I found a guy online to play the game on Vassal, and now we also play For the People http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/833/for-the-people (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/833/for-the-people) as well.
I might have to look into the LnL series. Thanks Ubercat!
Quote from: Ubercat on September 09, 2012, 08:33:26 PMI still wanted my squad level WW2 battles itch scratched, so I picked up Lock and Load: Band of Heroes. http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/18460/lock-n-load-band-of-heroes (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/18460/lock-n-load-band-of-heroes)
Great game. I reviewed it for "the other place" back in '05. (http://wargamer.com/article/2097/Lock-'n-Load:-Band-of-Heroes) It was one of the first full reviews I ever wrote, and I took some heat for my quip about the French.
Quote from: Ubercat on September 09, 2012, 08:33:26 PMI've also bought several expansions. Swift and Bold, which adds British paratroopers, had counters printed backwards.
The backstory on the misprinted counters is actually a little amusing 5 years after the fact, but it doesn't really affect gameplay at all. The counters just seem weird stacked 'upside down'.
Quote from: Ubercat on September 09, 2012, 08:33:26 PMI definitely recommend the LnL series, despite the minor quality control issues.
Plus, with the same rules you get many, many more theaters of war than you get with ASL.
Day of Heroes covers Somalia ("Blackhawk Down")
Ring of Hills gives you the Falklands
Forgotten Heroes / ANZAC Attack goes to Vietnam
Heroes of the Gap is the squad-level equivalent of World at War (same backstory, too)
There's a free download intro scenario for the system that is a French Foreign Legion engagement in West Africa
There's also a pre-order Heroes of the Faith that will bring LnL to the Middle East
Age has changed my disposition.
When I was younger I was eager to install something new. Now, I consider a learning curve to be nuisance unless the genre and product are very compelling. Othwise, I prefer getting deep into old games for which I already know the game and it has unlimited content/replay.
Sadly I find that I'm beginning to fall more in line with your reasoning Mark, but being a fool I attempt to respond by trying new things before I go back to the old trusty standbys.
Which reminds me I need to fire up some Campaign Series to get in some hex based gaming.
Unfortunately, I have to say "ditto". I seldom take the time to learn a really complicated game anymore, preferring old favorites or games which I am familiar with because of their linage (Skyrim, Civ, etc....). The deepest games I've gotten into lately are things like SotS, Armada 2526 Supernova, Advanced Tactics Gold and Conflict of Heroes. Essentially I like to jump into a game, be able to figure out a few things from get-go, then dig around and pick up the finer points of the economic system or whatever. A game that starts up and has me staring at the screen wondering wtf to do often leads to me firing up something I'm comfortable with. Ehhhh.....this from the Avalon Hill Advance Squad Leader dude with the counters all over the living room table years ago ??? It happens.
Same with me. I used to love getting to grips with a new, complicated interface and slowly mastering it. I should be madly in love with the DCS line of products, but the thought of trying to figure out how to use a weapons system or radar package just seems like work and I don't want to even try.
Of course, years ago games came with a well written tutorial, technical reference, and historical/conceptual reference. Although a lot to read, once you did, you could be playing.
These days you're lucky to get a keyboard reference. If you haven't played many others in the genre or played earlier releases, then your only hope is to learn is from forum posts or YouTube videos.
So, maybe there is more than aging going on here.
^GOOD POINT!
I used to take many a manual into the bathroom to catch up on my reading. Its a lot harder to do that with a computer screen, even IF they had a manual online. 8)
Meh. This is an amateur-level omission.
No one these days expects a 200 page manual. However, inserting an extra two pages into a .pdf to explain new units would not be a lot of effort.
The most likely explanation is money. I would bet a dollar that a manual was discussed. Probably making the manual was a job to be outsourced. I know who used to do this stuff. He's excellent. He's reasonable. But it was going to cost money. And I'd wager yet another dollar that the decision was made not to pay for the update. Hence the readme.txt.
Is this a game-killing problem? Depends on whether you've ever played a game where engineers are used to clear mines. And whether you know that pioniere are the Germans' engineers.
If I'm a n00b and I don't know any of that? I'm probably screwed. Even a veteran gamer like Airboy struggled. I don't blame him for being unhappy about the lack of explanation.
I confess that LB might have meant his post for another thread.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages2.wikia.nocookie.net%2Fstarwars%2Fimages%2Fthumb%2Fe%2Fe8%2FVaderFather.jpg%2F200px-VaderFather.jpg&hash=76d9e2e13688dbf27ea9781176d2ac1fd06ef09e)
He's mad because I used caps ;D
Quote from: Bison on September 10, 2012, 07:59:54 PM
I confess that LB might have meant his post for another thread.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages2.wikia.nocookie.net%2Fstarwars%2Fimages%2Fthumb%2Fe%2Fe8%2FVaderFather.jpg%2F200px-VaderFather.jpg&hash=76d9e2e13688dbf27ea9781176d2ac1fd06ef09e)
NEVER point out when I am wrong.
Not that I was wrong. I am NEVER wrong. That wasn't the post you were looking for.
And I will Force Crush every beer can in your fridge if you do that again!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1081.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj349%2Flongblade%2FSmilies%2Femporerslightning.gif&hash=069b8617f375825ebb643ec176bf18797fb4e3aa)
LB, you're killing me with that sig line, dude.
Quote from: MetalDog on September 10, 2012, 08:19:56 PM
LB, you're killing me with that sig line, dude.
Bison was my inspiration.
Quote from: MarkShot on September 10, 2012, 03:17:51 PM
Age has changed my disposition.
When I was younger I was eager to install something new. Now, I consider a learning curve to be nuisance unless the genre and product are very compelling. Othwise, I prefer getting deep into old games for which I already know the game and it has unlimited content/replay.
Quote from: Bison on September 10, 2012, 03:31:39 PM
Sadly I find that I'm beginning to fall more in line with your reasoning Mark, but being a fool I attempt to respond by trying new things before I go back to the old trusty standbys.
Which reminds me I need to fire up some Campaign Series to get in some hex based gaming.
Quote from: Steelgrave on September 10, 2012, 03:48:57 PM
Unfortunately, I have to say "ditto". I seldom take the time to learn a really complicated game anymore, preferring old favorites or games which I am familiar with because of their linage (Skyrim, Civ, etc....). The deepest games I've gotten into lately are things like SotS, Armada 2526 Supernova, Advanced Tactics Gold and Conflict of Heroes. Essentially I like to jump into a game, be able to figure out a few things from get-go, then dig around and pick up the finer points of the economic system or whatever. A game that starts up and has me staring at the screen wondering wtf to do often leads to me firing up something I'm comfortable with. Ehhhh.....this from the Avalon Hill Advance Squad Leader dude with the counters all over the living room table years ago ??? It happens.
Quote from: Silent Disapproval Robot on September 10, 2012, 06:25:18 PM
Same with me. I used to love getting to grips with a new, complicated interface and slowly mastering it. I should be madly in love with the DCS line of products, but the thought of trying to figure out how to use a weapons system or radar package just seems like work and I don't want to even try.
I share all these sentiments as well.
These days, if a new game has a complicated UI, I can only get into it if I find it particularly compelling (
Distant Worlds and
Crusader Kings 2 both being good examples). I think it's why I continue to struggle with AGEOD titles, despite my interest in both the historical periods and the gameplay.
Quote from: Arctic Blast on September 10, 2012, 11:42:17 PM
Quote from: LongBlade on September 10, 2012, 08:41:28 PM
Quote from: MetalDog on September 10, 2012, 08:19:56 PM
LB, you're killing me with that sig line, dude.
Bison was my inspiration.
That's a horrifying statement. :o
Personally, I think it's hilarious! :D
and i thought Harley must have been the inspiration to LB's sig line.
There is a general trend in software (as a consumer, look at office productivity suites, or as a professional, look at database systems) where each new release adds more features and complexity. This happens because of competitive pressures to differentiate one's own release N+1 from release N and versus products offered by other vendors. It, also, happens due to the ever increasing availability of disk, memory, CPU, and GPU.
The same is also true of the computer games industry. So, if you look what was modeled and the complexity of the UI, in a genre at 5 year intervals ... I think you will find a steady increase of distinct features and complexity. Again maybe it is not all age related. Maybe the very nature of games themselves have changed. Perhaps the games of 1990s were much more approachable from scratch than what is being released today.
Since although hardware and software has advanced by orders of magnitude of the last 20 years, our brains have not.
On the other hand, the younger generation is not being first exposed to digital interactive entertainment as young adults or adults, but instead it has been surrounding them from their birth. So, perhaps, for the younger generation, it is more easy and natural to assimilate complex new game releases.
It might be interesting to hear from some of the younger gamers here who are in their early 20s.
Quote from: Keunert on September 06, 2012, 03:08:31 PM
i wear silly socks that suit a strange hobby
(https://i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/8/31/198d6niMNUq-G_olIPJnOg2.jpg)
Those socks are awesome beyond all reason! (https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wargamer.com%2Fforums%2Fsmiley%2FTakecover.gif&hash=9e0f9e63bbb3884905aff2bf0b4c414a58bb0a31)
This could be construed as evidence for why I am still unmarried...
I am reasonably sure I haven't played a computer game for more than a year, or more than three different titles over the past three years--having basically abandoned PC gaming for PS3.
I still spend a nauseating amount of money on PC games 9 or 10 months, of course. For the principle of it. Just in case.
I consider Left 4 Dead 2 a combat simulator and as such it is a wargame.
In the first X-Com: Enemy Unknown game I ever played, I shot a rocket launcher round into a gas station complex, during a terror mission....
...and killed EIGHT enemies, and four civilians. At LEAST a dozen secondaries. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
My brother in law STILL talks about this, now about 20 years later.
Confession ...
I happily play Aces of the Deep under DOSBOX and feel sorry for all those SH3/GWX players that are missing out.
I think Battle Academy maybe one of my favorite TBS wargames. I secretly wish Tiller games had as nice of 3d graphics.
Quote from: Rekim on September 06, 2012, 07:31:03 PM
Quote from: Keunert on September 06, 2012, 03:08:31 PM
i wear silly socks that suit a strange hobby
(https://i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/8/31/198d6niMNUq-G_olIPJnOg2.jpg)
Panzerkampf slippers
Hard core. Love them.
:D
A gift just arrived...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1081.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj349%2Flongblade%2Fslippers1_zpsb980b120.jpg&hash=7a4d66f72352c034d9a311e59b2c4b64a220e94c)
Sweet.
Oooh, the envy! :P
ninja'd by Bob
i know he was looking for a pair of those LB
if one day youre out in the mall and you see some old man limping towards you, looking like hes had years of kitchen implement abuse - its Bob, hes come for the slippers!
Those are really cool but if a couple or three Shermies get a rear shot
or somebody lands a PIAT bomb on your achilles heel you are out a pair
of slippers.
Quote from: undercovergeek on January 10, 2013, 06:07:32 PM
ninja'd by Bob
i know he was looking for a pair of those LB
if one day youre out in the mall and you see some old man limping towards you, looking like hes had years of kitchen implement abuse - its Bob, hes come for the slippers!
Hmmmm...slippers.....(lurch, lurch...gloiiinnnggg).
Quote from: LongBlade on January 10, 2013, 05:09:43 PM
Quote from: Rekim on September 06, 2012, 07:31:03 PM
Quote from: Keunert on September 06, 2012, 03:08:31 PM
i wear silly socks that suit a strange hobby
(https://i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/8/31/198d6niMNUq-G_olIPJnOg2.jpg)
Panzerkampf slippers
Hard core. Love them.
:D
A gift just arrived...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1081.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj349%2Flongblade%2Fslippers1_zpsb980b120.jpg&hash=7a4d66f72352c034d9a311e59b2c4b64a220e94c)
Lucky, lucky bastard! :-[
Quote from: undercovergeek on January 10, 2013, 06:07:32 PM
ninja'd by Bob
i know he was looking for a pair of those LB
if one day youre out in the mall and you see some old man limping towards you, looking like hes had years of kitchen implement abuse - its Bob, hes come for the slippers!
Heh.
My sister knits, but these are crochet. She had someone make them for her. Apparently the woman will hire out, but wants a pound of flesh for them. I haven't spoken directly to her, but my sister says she's probably looking for somewhere in the neighborhood of $300 (nowhere near what my sister paid, but I think this woman knits professionally).
So, if you know someone who crochets you can buy the pattern online and send that to them.
Quote from: Longdan on January 10, 2013, 06:08:05 PM
Those are really cool but if a couple or three Shermies get a rear shot
or somebody lands a PIAT bomb on your achilles heel you are out a pair
of slippers.
Heh.
Quote from: LongBlade on January 10, 2013, 07:26:40 PM
Quote from: undercovergeek on January 10, 2013, 06:07:32 PM
ninja'd by Bob
i know he was looking for a pair of those LB
if one day youre out in the mall and you see some old man limping towards you, looking like hes had years of kitchen implement abuse - its Bob, hes come for the slippers!
Heh.
My sister knits, but these are crochet. She had someone make them for her. Apparently the woman will hire out, but wants a pound of flesh for them. I haven't spoken directly to her, but my sister says she's probably looking for somewhere in the neighborhood of $300 (nowhere near what my sister paid, but I think this woman knits professionally).
So, if you know someone who crochets you can buy the pattern online and send that to them.
that pattern right there is going to be Mrs Bobs next birthday present, you know that dont you!?
And after shes made me a pair she can make bob a pair
That is awesome LB! I showed those to my wife and she gave me that "you're kidding me right?" look. ;D
How do you keep those 88's sticking out? Do you show it woolen panzer pr0n? Little naked woolen T34's?
Gotta ask Star. He would know.
Quote from: Longdan on January 10, 2013, 07:48:00 PM
How do you keep those 88's sticking out? Do you show it woolen panzer pr0n? Little naked woolen T34's?
Gotta ask Star. He would know.
Ha!
There's some kind of straw or dowel in there.
Quote from: undercovergeek on January 10, 2013, 07:32:41 PM
Quote from: LongBlade on January 10, 2013, 07:26:40 PM
Quote from: undercovergeek on January 10, 2013, 06:07:32 PM
ninja'd by Bob
i know he was looking for a pair of those LB
if one day youre out in the mall and you see some old man limping towards you, looking like hes had years of kitchen implement abuse - its Bob, hes come for the slippers!
Heh.
My sister knits, but these are crochet. She had someone make them for her. Apparently the woman will hire out, but wants a pound of flesh for them. I haven't spoken directly to her, but my sister says she's probably looking for somewhere in the neighborhood of $300 (nowhere near what my sister paid, but I think this woman knits professionally).
So, if you know someone who crochets you can buy the pattern online and send that to them.
that pattern right there is going to be Mrs Bobs next birthday present, you know that dont you!?
And after shes made me a pair she can make bob a pair
Nods.
Shakes head.
Awesome gift, LB! Color me a little jealous.
1) I tend to play tactical missions over and over until I don't lose any men (or at most an absolute minimum). I don't cheat in the sense that I make myself stronger or the enemy weaker, I just play missions over and over until I don't lose individual units. I do that for RTS games as well, and it can be a real challenge.
On the other hand, I can play strategic wargames normally and, even though I'll also try to minimize losses, I really feel the effect of "the death of one man is a tragedy, the death of a million is a statistic". It's a completely different thing if you see a tank brew up on your screen, with the crew trying to get out, or if you lose "2000 men, 2 guns" in an attack.
Of course, the problem of having difficulty with losing virtual men doesn't apply to multiplayer, even though I'll always try to minimize losses (and maximize those of the enemy).
2) The main thing I don't get about the way wargame developers design their games is that so many tend to lose themselves in the little details and ignore big things like logistics or the UI. I don't care about graphics, but I prefer to play games with a UI that has evolved beyond the 1990's. I don't have much of a problem with Tiller's work for some reason, however.
I've never been able to get into tactical wargames.
I love playing WiTP though.
Quote from: donkey_roxor on January 12, 2013, 11:36:03 AM
I've never been able to get into tactical wargames.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HERESY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
...I call myself a grognard even though I have three unpunched Avalon Hill games (Flight Leader, WS&IM, Source of the Nile) but my copies of Car Wars, D&D, and Boothill are thoroughly ragged from extensive play.
In my defense this is the 2nd copy of WS&IM...the first having been lost in the Great Yard Sale War of 1986 whilst I was away at University.
My Mom had one of those and sold c.800 Marx plastic soldiers when I was overseas.
She wondered why I did not want to come home.
Quote from: Longdan on January 12, 2013, 02:11:06 PM
She wondered why I did not want to come home.
Perhaps she's more shrewd than you realise. ;)
She should have figured in the fact that now she is getting decrepit
she needs me around and I have a resentment about them soldiers.