Advanced Squad Leader Tutorial #0 - Where Do I Start!?

This "prequel" Boot Camp video is one I should have done from the get go. The eternal question: "ASL: Where Do I Start!?" I give you some SL/ASL history, do a complete comparisons of all the systems and how you should approach them ... giving you all the information you need to make up your own mind. Then towards the end I give you a recommendation on where to begin and exactly what you need to start playing Advanced Squad Leader.

Also check out this "What is Advanced Squad Leader" article I wrote:

ASL Programmed Instructions (bottom of this link). This article is also The General v30.1 and the ASL Annual-1990:

0:00 - Thanks, Supporters!!
0:10 - Squad Leader History
4:59 - Squad Leader Dependencies
6:31 - ASL Starter Kit Dependencies
8:53 - Full ASL Dependencies
12:50 - Detailed System Comparison
37:46 - My Recommendation

Boot Camp tutorials are rule and tactical discussions for new and veteran players. These tutorials are mere summaries and examples and are NOT meant as exhaustive replacements for reading the relevant rule sections.

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[mr.horseshoe]

Full ASL is so fun. I regret wasting time with SK. All you need to do is to watch Neal’s Boot Camp videos and you’re set. I’m also happy with just Beyond Valor and Yanks. Thousands of hours of fun with those two boxes alone.

[billyriley]

As someone who is starting out on this journey, I thank you for these videos. I did watch to the end where you recommended forwarding to anyone starting out

Excellent production value and superb information.

[eric]

I watched to the end. Great series. Re-learning, re-freshing, enjoy all quality ASL content I can get. Thanks for the video.

[hpdrifter]

Getting back in after a 25 year hiatus. I have Starter Kit #1 to "ease" my way back in. When i take the step back to ASL one thing I this video helped me figure out is that I'm definitely going with the pocket version of the rulebook over the 3 ring binder. Seems much more handy to set and read.

[ASL-Spotting_Round]

Excellent summation of the three systems, Neal (I also watched til the end). I started with SL back in the early 80s transitioning to ASL by the early 90s. Unfortunately I took a long break around the time that MMP took over so missed out on their early HASLs. Re page count, my eASLRB is 714 pages, to which you can easily add ~400 for the HASLs (based off my PDF compilation).

For new players I can see the benefit of SK as an introduction, but feel that full immersion into ASL (ideally with a knowledgable opponent) is better. As you said, there are many scenarios that use as little of the rules as possible, or they can be overly complex, and everything in between. Playing via VASL should help in this regard.

Keep em coming.

[brunobgiovinal]

I never dared to take the plunge, thanks to your step-by-step videos it's done : ASL Starter Kit 1, 2021 Reprint, ASL pocket Edition Rulebook Second Edition, Beyond Valor (ASL module 1)- 3rd edition,
ASL Red Factories.

[russbarker]

I'm getting back into ASL all the way.. what's great about the starter kits is it gives someone who has never played a chance to play at a small scale.. yes it does not have all the rules as ASL.. but it gives someone a place to start to see if they will like the system.. i remember Squad ledder from years ago and the small bite size of the rules was great.. for everyone looking at the game ASL... do not be overwhelmed by the size of the rules... Any one can learn to play this game with videos like this channel.. thanks for all your hard work..

[jbrousseee]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm actually starting to learn ASL, so this video is really helpful for me!

[firstfire]

As always, fine production here, Neal. This is perfect for someone trying to figure out the SL/SK/ASL systems. This is information I wish I had 5 years ago when I was first trying to understand the differences and what I needed to buy just to get started. Your 40+ min video covered what took me months decipher.

BTW, I watched to the end.

[AndrewPryke]

I watched until the end. Thank you for the link to "Eight Steps to ASL" and your continuing explanations of the system.

[scottbarnes]

A friend and I are learning the system. I appreciate you making these videos.

[chrishambrick]

Thanks for the video. Watched the whole thing.

[Qarlo]

All your content is much appreciated . . . within the limits of keeping yourself healthy, of course. Thanks.

[whatinflecktarnation]

I WATCHED TIL THE END NOW TIME FOR MORE!

[Corsair]

What a great video find, and recent at that! I've been debating dipping my toe into ASL - I played the original SL in high school, right around the time ASL was coming into existence. Being a broke high school sutdent (and then a broke college student), ASL was never in the cards for me (though my friend got it) - I couldn't even afford the GI Anvil of Victory expansion for the original SL (though I did get the first 2 expansions).

Your video really helped clarify the difference between the starter kits and the full set. I'm not afraid of the perceived complexity of the core rules - I played SFB (Star Fleet Battles from ADB) for 20 years until around 2005 - bit the initial buy-in is a bit steep since I'm not 100% sure yet.

I think I'll dip my toe via the first starter kit, as its a low entry price. I was thinking about starting with Starter Pack #4, but that's twice the cost. If that gets me back into ASL, I'll go fort he core rules and the Beyond Valor module.

It looks like the binder rulebook is out of stock, and there's no indication of it coming back, which is a shame because I'd prefer the binder (I had one massive binder for SFB core rules, and bunches of smaller binders for SSDs, annexes, and scenarios).

In the meantime, I'm going to work on watching all of your other bootcamp videos.

Thanks for detailed review and discussion of the various paths, and I wish you and yours a Happy Holiday season.

[shooter]

As someone is thinking diving it, I thank you.

[johnpayne]

Geez you are putting in work. This is well done and actually useful.

[bltwegmann]

I bought the starter kit and quickly abandoned that for the full ruleset. I didn't like the idea of learning the light ruleset and then having to manage the changes to the full set. And frankly, I think anyone who truly enjoys this is either a lawyer or an accountant and the rule complexity is part of the fun.

[riccardorinaldi]

Total newbie here - thanks much for this orientation! (and yes, I did watch it to the end ;) )

[kaiyuan]

thx a lot，i'm a new player, is ready to go into ASL's big famliy step by step.Your excellent and detailed tutorials do good help to me.