The 2 Half-Squads: Advanced Squad Leader Podcast

In this episode we interview Steve and Dan, two new ASL players (and we mean REAL NEW) to see what they think of the greatest game in the world, and get a few newbie’s questions answered. We compare ASL with Hollywood’s vision of WWII. Dave played his 1,000th game! There is some listener mail, and more discussion about counter storage. We hope you enjoy our efforts to bring you the finest in ASL entertainment! Listen now with streaming audio Or download this episode. Right-click here and select to save the file.

We recorded this one back in June, but didn’t want to release it too close on the heels of Episode 6. In this Episode, we check out “What’s in the Box?” (it’s Starter Kit 3!), Dave whips out a list — which he compiled during his most recent re-reading of The Rules — of rules he forgot he knew. Jeff gives a little history lesson at the end of the show. And there’s plenty of the usual madness. Or download this episode. Right-click here and select to save the file.

This episode addresses some requests to help new ASL players. We discuss ways to find other players, what you need to buy to get started playing and how to store all that stuff. Then we cover some differences between the Starter Kits and the “full” rules, and get into a beginner’s discussion of the Defensive Fire Phase. Here are some links to web sites we discussed: Board Game Geek VASL MMP’s list of differences between Starter Kits and full rules Plano storage solution Or download this episode. Right-click here and select to save the file.

In Episode 5 we interview Robert (Bob) Holmstrom, one of our favorite local ASL masters. Bob chats about his ASL history, discusses tournaments, helps us with the “What’s in the Box” segment (it’s Valor of the Guards!) and more. We hope you like it. Or download this episode. Right-click here and select to save the file.

Hurrah! We fixed the audio issues we had with episodes 1 & 2. The embedded player is now working! Tonight we’re joined in the broadcast foxhole by our pal, Joe Pellam, who talks about his gaming history, his fascinating visits to Iwo Jima while in the Navy, and his love of ASL. A great guy, and a good friend, we’re pleased to have him as our guest. Do you have a topic you would like to hear discussed on “The 2 Half-Squads”? Do you have an idea for a show segment? Do you know someone that would be a good guest? We’d like to hear from you! Leave us a comment here, or send an email to the2halfsquads@gmail.com Or download this episode. Right-click here and select to save the file.

In this lean, (and banter-free) offering, we get right down to business with an interview with the very distinguished Evan Sherry. Evan talks about the Florida Advanced Squad Leader Tournament, the Tampa Bay ASL Group, and those excellent ASL product offerings. Their latest product, Schwerpunkt volume 16, is revealed in "What's in the Box?". The second installment of the popular "PAASL: Sounds of the Game" is here for your amusement. And the Cavalry tutorial promised in T2HS #45 rounds out the episode with something for you students of the game. Yeah Baby! SHOW GUIDE 2:30 - Evan Sherry Interview 21:00 - What's in the Box? - Schwerpunkt v. 16 38:00 - PAASL Revisited; The Sounds of the Game 57:00 - Cavalry Tutorial 1:23:10 Total Running Time SHOW LINKS Cavalry Tutorial Photos Sherry Enterprises Listen Now: Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file. CAVALRY TUTORIAL PHOTOS

And.... we're off! The long awaited and promised (ok, maybe just promised) Cavalry episode has crossed the finish line. This Clydesdale-sized beast is worthy of pulling that Bud wagon! It ain't just a dog and pony show, but an in depth look at the mechanics and tactics of making that charge of the ASL Light Brigade. Not only that... but it includes the debut of The 2 Half-Squad Singers. Look for a cavalry charge tutorial coming in episode 46. Dig it! SHOW GUIDE 8:00 - Listener mail 25:10 - Voice mail and Favorite Things song 31:00 - Cavalry Quiz Show 1:19:30 - Cavalry Tactics 1:31:15 Total Running Time SHOW LINKS Fair Game Listen Now: Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file.

This week saw the end of T2HS's Contest 2010 wherein we offered a chance to win a lovely print by well-known ASL artist Ken Smith. And the winner is . . . Whit Richardson!. The drawing was random, but Whit was heavily favored to win thanks to his nine -- NINE! -- submissions on our T2HS voice mail. You'll hear one of his entries here and we'll be playing other contestant's offerings over the next few shows. Congratulations, Whit! The first runner-up, Michael Decker, get's our second place prize, but since we already ate the last can of Who-hash, we'll have to come up with something else. Also today we answer the question posed by Germans the world over, "Vas is in das box?" by happily revealing a new(er) offering from Bounding Fire Productions, "High Ground 2". It's big. It's beautiful. It's got MAPS. Its hills are alive with the sound of gun fire. Thank you, Sam Tyson of BFP for sending us this lovely pack for evaluation. Dave is holding on to it, but Jeff has visitation rights. And since we are always so well organized over here at T2HS Studios, we also have a nice interview with the aforementioned Bounding Fire Productions, Mr. Sam Tyson. We caught up with Sam at ASLOK. Always a pleasure. We also cover some listener mail (keep those letters coming!) and Dave goes all Grinchy in a Box Art Review that will shock you. Here's a little hint -- stink, Stank, STUNK! This episode aches to be taken home by someone who will love it. For sure this delightful dalliance shouldn't end up on the Island of Misfit T2HS Episodes. Dig it! SHOW GUIDE 4:14 - Listener mail 14:30 - Contest 2010 results 22:30 - Box Art Review 28:45 - What's in the Box 41:30 - Interview with Sam Tyson SHOW LINKS ASL Open 2011 in Chicago Bounding Fire Productions Ian Daglish Infinity Journal Udo Grebe Gamedesign The C4 Corner Cutter Listen Now: Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file.

OPENING: We open this show with a comedy bit, as usual, but this one was submitted to us by listener, John Haughey. We perform it (badly!) here for your pleasure. Thank you, John, for the script. (Booking agents need not call.) GAME RULES: Time for a little quiz show on the Advance Phase and stacking.  Back to some basics found at the beginning of that giant tome known as the ASL Rulebook.  Great listening for beginners and even those who think they know it all. Like, just how many SMC's are allowed in that hex with those three squads? ASLOK 2010: One of the interview gems we snatched at ASLOK was with, the one and only, Perry Cocke.  Listen in as Perry sez a few things about ASL, it's past, it's present, and it's future. CONTEST 2010: We have a few submissions, but can sure use some more.  Don't miss out on an opportunity to own an original Ken Smith print or the 2nd and 3rd place prizes. SHOW GUIDE 16:00 - Letters 13:00 - Contest information 16:00 - Quiz Show 53:00 - Interview with Perry Cocke 1:39:15  Total Running Time Listen Now: Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file.

ASLOK 2010: What a wild and entertaining trip to ASL Oktoberfest! Listen in with Dave, Jeff and Bob Holmstrom as they debrief after an exciting weekend of marvels and mayhem. There were thrills (ASL), chills (Zombie Games), and interviews galore. Sit back and enjoy the discussion followed by an interview with ASLOK's commander-in-chief, Bret Hildebran. CONTEST 2010: What could be better than all that ASL goodness? Well, how about a contest to win a signed, limited edition print by historical artist Ken Smith. That's right, Ken Smith who has, among other things, created the cover art for a number of ASL Journals, has donated one of his art prints ("Kollaa Holds" shown at right) to us and we're going to give it away to some lucky T2HS listener! Here's how to enter: Call our T2HS voice mail at 641-715-3900, extension 218209 State your name clearly at the start of your message. Leave us a voice message telling us why you love Advanced Squad Leader OR how you describe ASL to people who have never heard of it. OR any other ASL topic is OK, too! Please limit messages to under a minute. Then, send an email to the2halfsquads@gmail.com with "CONTEST 2010" in the Subject line. In the email, include your name as you stated it on your voice message. You may enter more than once. Each voice message (with followup email) you enter will earn you one entry in the drawing. No spamming, please. Messages will NOT be judged for content so don't be shy. But you must leave a message to be entered in the drawing. On December 15th 2010 we will randomly draw names from entrants to decide the winners. This drawing will appear on a later episode of The 2 Half-Squads. The winners will be notified immediately by email. All prizes will be shipped within a day or two, hopefully to arrive before December 25, 2010. First prize is the signed, limited edition print "Kollaa Holds" by Ken Smith. Second and third prizes are yet to be determined by The 2 Half-Squads. Voice messages become the property of The 2 Half-Squads and may be played on or incorporated into the show. We look forward to hearing from you. Good luck! SHOW GUIDE 01:00 - ASLOK After Action Report 49:00 - Brett Hildebran Interview 1:07:30 - CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT Listen Now: Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file.

One of the joys of the ASL hobby is collecting and owning the stuff -- the boxes, the scenarios, the journals -- and part of the joy of the stuff is the art that covers it. Would it be safe to say we all get some deep-seated joy when looking at a shelf full of beautifully illustrated gaming boxes? Don't we all like to occasionally lay out our bounty on a table or the floor so we can gaze at all that beautiful war art? You don't do that? Really? We do. Our guest today is artist, historian, teacher, Ken Smith. Ken created the art gracing the covers of a number of ASL Journals and the soon-to-be-published (we hope) Hakkaa Päälle! Don't miss this fascinating glimpse into a very interesting and often over-looked aspect of the gaming hobby in general and ASL in particular. Then be sure to check out Ken's web site and blog to see his other excellent work, learn more about his craft and perhaps purchase one of his beautiful limited edition prints. SHOW GUIDE 05:00 - Letters 28:20 - Great Plexiglass idea for starter boards and overlays. 31:40 - recently played scenarios 35:00 - Book Review -- The Ghost Mountain Boys 41:00 - interview with Ken Smith Listen Now: Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file. SHOW LINKS

Well, we've reached fabulous 40 with this episode, and we've never felt better. In fact, we're more invigorated than ever about a certain combat simulation game called Advance Squad Leader and have lots of plans for future shows. Thanks for being with us! In this episode, we air an interview we did some months ago with Pete Shelling. We managed to grab Pete between games at the ASL Open in Chicago. We know you'll enjoy hearing from this very familiar name in ASL-dom. We also open "the box" and discuss MMP's Blood Reef: Tarawa -- Gamers Guide. Dave enlightens us all with a stunning Box Art Review. And of course, we sit and banter in a most relaxed, enjoyable and engrossing way about Advanced Squad Leader. Gosh, it's good to hear our voices. We hope you'll agree! SHOW GUIDE 14:00 - Scenario Report 29:30 - What's In The Box 41:30 - Box Art Review 52:00 - Interveiw with Pete Shelling SHOW LINKS ASL OKtoberfest 2010 GLB Banzai!! Magazine from the Texas ASL Group Desperation Morale web site ROAR web site MMP's Blood Reef: Tarawa -- Players Guide Games Plus Listen Now: Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file.

OBA example setup In Episode 37 we presented an introduction to Off Board Artillery (OBA) use in ASL. For years the only way to learn OBA was to slog through several pages of complex rules. But then along came the OBA Player Aid, an ingenious and easy to use flow chart that makes OBA as easy as rowing your boat gently down the stream. Well, almost. If you've never used OBA for fear it was too complicated, join us as we Go With the Flow and judge for yourself. With ASL Oktoberfest looming on the horizon, we thought this would be a good time to air our interview with ASLOK's commander-in-chief, Bret Hildebran. Be nice to Bret or he'll see you get room 1408. We also read some listener mail, have an impromptu book report, and in general babble endlessly about -- what else -- our favorite game in the world. Listen Now: Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file. SHOW LINKS ASL Module Dependency Chart Texas ASL group's fabulous Sticky errata (look for "sticky errata" files.) From Italy, one man's Tarawa AAR Be sure to check out the whole site. Bello!

If you've never played Advanced Squad Leader before, or if you are just getting started, you're going to like this episode. Today we do a thorough play-by-play of a starter kit scenario, taking you through each move and its applicable rule so you can setup and follow along. We discuss the strategy (or lack thereof!) and outcome of each move in each phase. For this installment of Newbie-do, we turn to Starter Kit 2's scenario, "Over Open Sights" (S12), the first scenario in the set to use GUNS. Jeff takes the American side against the Germans played by our guest, Mike Lembke, and Dave acts as neutral commentator and referee. Our complete setup is listed in the table below. You'll want to have board X, American and German orders of battle and the Starter Kit 2 rules handy. ASL Starter Kit 2 is available (as of this writing) at the Multiman Publishing web site or through Amazon (see below). Alternatively, you could setup with VASL. Listen Now: Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file. OVER OPEN SIGHTS setup. Board X AMERICAN SETUP HEX GERMAN ENTRY HEX 2-3-6 C MMG G3 8-0 A6 8-1 G3 4-4-7 D LMG A6 2-3-6 B G4 4-4-7 G A6 ART 155 A CA J3/K4 K3 4-4-7 H A6 2-2-7 C K3 4-6-7 A F10 ART 105 B CA N3/O4 O3 4-6-7 B F10 2-2-7 B O3 4-4-7 E LMG F10 2-3-6 D MTR 60 R3 2-3-7 A G10 ART 105 A CA T5/U5 T4 2-3-7 B G10 2-2-7 A T4 4-4-7 F MMG G10 7-0 W6 8-1 G10 2-3-6 A X5 4-6-7 C I10 5-4-6 B X6 4-6-7 D I10 5-4-6 A X7 4-6-7 E LMG I10 2-3-7 D MTR 50 GG9 2-3-7 C GG8 4-4-7 A GG7 4-4-7 B GG7 4-4-7 C GG7 7-0 GG7

This episode includes our regular features plus some special odds and ends. There is also some discussion of the scenarios played. We review the Armored Force Field Manual from 1942 as well as Hampton Sides' Ghost Soldiers, a history report about Maurice Britt, and a mention of The Pritzker Military Library and it's podcasts. We finish with an insider's listen to one meeting of our local game club, the PAASL (Palatine Area Advanced Squad Leaders). You might be inspired to start your own club and get some rookies playing ASL. CHECK IT OUT! SHOW GUIDE 4:00 Listener Mail 28:00 Book Review 39:00 A discussion of telling ASL stories 52:00 History Report 59:00 PAASL "The Sounds of the Game" Total 1:25 Listen Now: Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file. LINKS Scenarios based on movies