Advanced Squad Leader

[Ubercat]

 :-[ Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that the questions would be coming right away.

Question 1: Whether one of your units moves or not during the Movement Phase has no bearing on it's capabilities for the rest of your turn. IOW, it can move in the Move Phase, fire in the Advancing Fire Phase and then move (1 hex) in the Advance Phase. True or false?

In a closely related question, when your unit fires in the Prep Fire Phase, it can't move in the Move Phase or fire in the Advancing Fire Phase, but can still move (1 hex) in the Advance Phase. Correct?

I'm used to playing Lock 'n Load, which is like an extremely simplified version of ASL. I'm surprised that LnL never got sued. The rules draw heavily on ASL and some of the leaders even have the same names! Anyway, LnL has colored some of my expectations where unit capability limits are concerned.

[Rekim]

Question 1: Whether one of your units moves or not during the Movement Phase has no bearing on it's capabilities for the rest of your turn. IOW, it can move in the Move Phase, fire in the Advancing Fire Phase and then move (1 hex) in the Advance Phase. True or false?

In a closely related question, when your unit fires in the Prep Fire Phase, it can't move in the Move Phase or fire in the Advancing Fire Phase, but can still move (1 hex) in the Advance Phase. Correct?

Answer 1: True. A unit that moves in the Movement Phase is capable of firing in the Advancing Fire Phase (although, at half firepower). Units can move 1 hex in the Advance Phase regardless of whether they moved/fired in previous phases.

Answer 2: True

[GJK]

Yeah - I tried to learn the LnL rules for "Day of Heroes" when it first came out and my thoughts at the time were "this is a poorly written poor man's ASL!".  That was before David took over there and I understand that the rules now are much cleaner now.


As Rekim indicates, you're correct on your rules interpretations.  I'll note one caveat however:  in full ASL, a unit can declare "Opportunity Fire" during the PFPh and then fire at full FP in the AFPh (by not actually firing in the PFPh nor moving in the MPh).  Again though, that's full ASL and not in the SK's (I don't think??).


So when playing, you have to decide on a case by case basis: "will this unit be firing this turn or moving?".  Yes, you can move and then fire Area Fire but the core question stands; move or fire.  If you're on the offense (the attacker), you can sub-divide that by "how many turns of movement will I need to reach the objective area?".  If you have a turn or two to spare, you can think about prepping with that guy once or twice, otherwise, you'll want to get moving.


Ken Dunn (of MMP) wrote a nice article entitled "If I'm rolling, I'm losing" to further clarify this example.  I've faithfully recreated this article and posted without permission so shhhh, don't tell anybody:  http://garykrockover.com/ASL/

[ArizonaTank]

Anyway, I asked wether storing the counters per gun calibre doesn't make it difficult to find a specific type of vehicle or gun. Some sizes were used on quite a few different counters?

Yes, that is one complication I have found.  Also, sometimes I forget the caliber and have to look it up, or hunt and peck.  But I really was not happy with alternatives.  Such as by chassis: all PzIIIs, all PzIIs, etc. For me that method did not seem to be as efficient in using my limited storage cells.  So while not perfect, gun caliber works for me.   

[Ubercat]

As Rekim indicates, you're correct on your rules interpretations.  I'll note one caveat however:  in full ASL, a unit can declare "Opportunity Fire" during the PFPh and then fire at full FP in the AFPh (by not actually firing in the PFPh nor moving in the MPh).  Again though, that's full ASL and not in the SK's (I don't think??).

I'm not sure what this means. Isn't Opportunity Fire what a defender does when his units fire at moving attacker units in the Move Phase? No one is moving during the Prep Fire Phase.

[Rekim]

Opportunity Fire is specific to the Attacker. Not certain, but don't believe it is included in SK rules. The way is works is; an attacking infantry unit which is marked with an Op Fire counter in the Prep Fire phase is capable of firing in the Advancing Fire Phase without suffering the 1/2 firepower penalty (aka Area Fire). A unit marked for Op Fire does not get to fire in Prep Fire phase, or more during Movement phase.

The various forms of Defensive Fire are:
-First Fire
-Subsequent First Fire
-Final Fire
-Final Protective Fire

[Ubercat]

I see. I checked the index of my full ASL rules and they use the term "Opportunity Fire" which generally means something else in other games, and mark it with a "Bounding Fire" marker (for further confusion!)

I like that rule. I think it may be the first ASL rule I try to add to SK's as I transition to the full game. Well, that and Bypass, and Snipers, and ..., and ...  :P

Gary, I printed up the Vierville article and I'm using it as a guide to the scenario. Very helpful!

[GJK]

Cool, yeah, that's a good article on that classic scenario.  If you're up for some VASL again some time, let me know. 

[Ubercat]

Thanks, Gary! That would be really good.

I'm actually off the next 3 days (sat, sun, mon). Would any of those nights work for you? I think I'm off next Thursday and Friday as well.

[Ubercat]

Thanks, Gary! That would be really good.

I'm actually off the next 3 days (sat, sun, mon). Would any of those nights work for you? I think I'm off next Thursday and Friday as well.

I'm guessing that would be a "no".  :'(

If playing isn't an option, how about 5 minutes on Vassal to get a Routing question answered? (Gary, or any experienced player) I've gotten myself into an interesting situation in my solo game that I'm not sure about. A brief enlightenment would be very educational. (using Vassal would allow me to easily demonstrate the problem)

[GJK]

Damn, sorry - sent you a msg via Skype.

[GJK]

By the way, I'll be off work Wed-the following Monday for turkey day so if you can squeeze in a scenario or two Uber, let's do it.  I need to share out my ASL dropbox folder for you as well - lots of goodies in there!

[Ubercat]

By the way, I'll be off work Wed-the following Monday for turkey day so if you can squeeze in a scenario or two Uber, let's do it.  I need to share out my ASL dropbox folder for you as well - lots of goodies in there!

I posted in the "table" thread before seeing this. Looks like we'll have some opportunities next week.

[Yskonyn]

Festung Budapest just got delivered! 

[GJK]

Uber or anybody - going to the Texas tournament later this month?