Home >> Games & Cards >> Board Games

How to Interpret ASL Scenarios

"Advanced Squad Leader" ("ASL") is a conflict simulation game, or "wargame," first published in 1985 by the Avalon Hill Game Company. A development of John Hill's 1977 game "Squad Leader," ASL is now produced by Maryland-based Multi-Man Publishing (MMP). Unlike many games, ASL does not have a "standard" set up or starting position. Each play of the game proceeds based on a "scenario," or a game set up that is roughly based on a specific historical situation from World War II. Scenarios published by MMP are printed on large cards and always follow the same graphical presentation for ease of reference. Interpreting the data displayed on each card is a fairly logical process.

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the top third of the scenario card. The first line of information contains the title of the scenario. Immediately below the title is the scenario number. Below this, on the right side of the scenario card, is a brief description of the historical circumstance portrayed in the scenario. The historical commentary is accompanied by an illustration of the game board configuration. In this section, some scenarios may also include notes on "Balance," which are used to accommodate players of different skill levels.
- 2
  Look to the left of the historical description, just below the scenario number. This section of the scenario card typically displays a photo or image, followed by the victory conditions for the scenario. The victory conditions explain what each player must do to win the game and are different for each scenario. The turn record chart is printed immediately below the victory conditions.
- 3
  Note the area beneath the turn record chart. This section of the scenario card displays the orders of battle, or "OOB," which details the game pieces available for each player to use in the scenario. Each player's OOB section also describes where he may set up his game pieces before play begins and includes additional information about game pieces that may enter play during the course of the game.
- 4
  Look below the OOB displays. This section of the card provides any scenario special rules, or SSRs, that apply to this particular scenario only. The SSRs are followed by another brief section of commentary that discusses the outcome of the historical battle represented by the scenario.

Board Games