The complete Advanced Squad Leader core module list
Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) is arguably the best and most complete tactical level WWII boardgame ever published. It is so detailed and well polished that not even complex computer simulations come close in providing the same gaming experience. If ever there was a game deserving of a “10” rating this is it.
ASL was originally published from 1985 by the Avalon Hill Game Company. The current official producers (as of 2008) are Multi-Man Publishing ( http://www.multimanpublishing.com ), who hold a license from AH/Hasbro.
This list describes the various core official modules published for ASL. There is also a Complete Advanced Squad Leader add on list at http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/10335.
There is a chart describing how the different modules are dependent on each other for components to be playable. It is available at: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/file/info/31682
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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This is without competition the greatest game ever made. It is also, contrary to what some may believe, quite simple to learn and play and is infinitely replayable. The rule book is currently in its second edition and is available from MMP.
The Advanced Squad Leader rule book contains the rules needed to play the game. It is in a binder format making it simple to add new pages or errata.
Box art:
ASL Rule Book, 1st edition: This cover combines four great line drawings from four classic games into what is perhaps the most memorable cover on any game ever.
ASL Rule Book, 2nd edition: I like the faint hexagon outlines in the background, but other than that I think the line art from the original book should have been kept as it was. The balance between the pictures is not as perfect as it was on the 1st edition cover, but it works well enough.
ASL Rule Book, 2nd edition, version 2: I like this more than the first second edition version. It would have been even better if the original colours of the line drawing of the German soldier had been kept.
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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Beyond Valor is the first core module for ASL. It contains all the system counters for the game as well as the complete German and Russian orders of battle. This module has been available both in a first, a second (the second edition also including Red Barricades (see the Complete Advanced Squad Leader add on list at http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/10335)) and a third edition.
The third edition is available from MMP (as of 2008) and it is packed with beautiful components sure to keep the most avid tactical gamer occupied for a long time.
1st ed contents: Mounted maps # 20-23, six counter sheets (system counters, German OB, Soviet OB, Partisan OB, Finnish OB), 10 scenarios (1-10), dice
2nd ed contents: Mounted maps # 20-23, six counter sheets (system counters, German OB, Soviet OB, Partisan OB, Finnish OB), 10 scenarios (1-10), dice, complete Red Barricades campaign game (2 historical maps, two counter sheets, 7 scenarios, chapter O (including divider))
3rd ed contents: Unmounted maps #1-5, 8, 20-23, fourteen counter sheets (system counters, German OB, Soviet OB, Partisan OB, Finnish OB), 24 scenarios (1-10, 123-136), dice
Box art: This picture of German infantry and armour advancing through ruined streets is of course closely associated with ASL as it was on the cover of the first module published. The soldiers are in dynamic poses but look a little too clean to be totally believable. The details and composition are great. I am not overly fond of the light blue background colour of the box sides and bottom, but it does match the general colour tone of the cover painting. All in all a great painting and a great illustration for the module and its contents.
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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Paratrooper is billed as an introductory module. It is possible to play the game using only Paratrooper, the rulebook and some separate maps (# 1-4 or 1 and 3 depending on which edition of Paratrooper you have), but the ASL Starter Kit #1 (see the complete Advanced Squad Leader add on list at http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/10335) is probably a better starting point. Paratrooper also had a second edition where the contents were changed from the first edition. It originally contained part of chapter K (the Training Manual), but that is now included in the second edition rulebook. Paratrooper is out of print as of 2008 and will probably not be reprinted.
1st ed contents: Mounted map # 24, two counter sheets (selected system counters, selected American OB, selected German OB), 8 scenarios (11-18), part of chapter K
2nd ed contents: Mounted maps # 2, 4, 24, two counter sheets (selected system counters, selected American OB, selected German OB), 8 scenarios (11-18)
Box art: This is also a great illustration for what the module contains and the American soldiers look even more dynamic than the Germans on the cover of Beyond Valor. The eerie mist in the background serves well to set the mood. Again the details and composition are great.
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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Yanks contains the complete American order of battle. It is still available in its first edition, but the chapter E pages have been updated and are now part of the second edition rulebook.
You also need at least the rule book and Beyond Valor (see above) to make any use of this module.
Contents: Mounted maps # 16-19, five counter sheets (American OB, system counters specific to chapter E - now included in Beyond Valor 3rd ed), 8 scenarios (19-26), chapter E (1st ed - replaced in 2nd ed rule book), chapter H American
Box art: This picture of American infantry and armour in action has great detail and looks more realistic than the Beyond Valor cover. The fact that all faces are turned away from the viewer gives a feeling of absence however. I’d rate this picture as slightly below the two preceding.
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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Partisan! has the infantry counters for the axis minors. They were included again in Armies of Oblivion (see below), making Partisan! somewhat redundant (but for the scenarios and maps).
You also need at least the rule book and Beyond Valor (see above) to make any use of this module.
Contents: Mounted maps # 10, 32, one counter sheet (Axis minor infantry), 8 scenarios (27-34)
Box art: This picture is technically great, but the subjects look as if lined up for a planned photo. This is somewhat detrimental to illustrating what partisan warfare was about.
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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West of Alamein was the 5th ASL module, but is now out of print. It contained the complete British order of battle (now available in For King and Country below) and the desert rules of chapter F. West of Alamein will be re-released as module “5b” with only the desert rules, system counters, maps and scenarios. It is currently not available.
You also need at least the rule book and Beyond Valor (see above) to make any use of this module.
Contents: Mounted maps # 25-29, desert overlays, escarpment overlay, six counter sheets (desert system counters, British OB), 8 scenarios (35-42), chapter F (including divider), chapter H British
Box art: The British soldiers in this picture look a little stiff, but apart from that it is a great illustration for the contents of the module. The khaki colour of the box sides and bottom is much better than the light blue of the preceding modules and also matches the cover perfectly. This picture is on a par with that for Yanks.
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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For King and Country is billed as module “5a” and is the new module containing the British order of battle.
You also need at least the rule book and Beyond Valor (see above) to make any use of this module.
Contents: Mounted maps #1, 7, 8, 12, six countersheets (British OB), 20 scenarios, chapter H British (reformatted for 2nd ed rule book)
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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The Last Hurrah is in its second edition and contains the allied minor infantry. The armour and guns were available in Doomed Battalions below. The third edition of Doomed Battalions makes this module redundant.
You also need at least the rule book and Beyond Valor (see above) to make any use of this module.
1st ed contents: Mounted maps # 11, 33, one counter sheet (Allied Minor infantry), 8 scenarios (43-50)
2nd ed contents: Mounted maps # 3, 11, 33, one counter sheet (Allied Minor infantry), 8 scenarios (43-50)
Box art: The cover of the Last Hurrah has much less detail than all of the preceding and is also not as well composed. As has been noted elsewhere the picture might also be considered ahistoric in that it shows cavalry charging armour.
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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Hollow Legions is in its second edition and contains the complete Italian order of battle. It is out of print as of 2008.
You also need at least the rule book, Beyond Valor and West of Alamein (see above) to make any use of this module.
1st ed contents: Mounted maps # 30, 31, three counter sheets (Italian OB), 8 scenarios (51-58), chapter H Italian
2nd ed contents: Mounted maps # 30, 31, three counter sheets (Italian OB), 8 scenarios (51-58), chapter H Italian (reformatted for 2nd ed rule book)
Box art: This picture, like that for Partisan!, looks like an arranged photo. It does have great detail and good composition. The colours work to give it a realistic atmosphere and it illustrates the contents very well. It is comparable to the best pictures in the series.
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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Code of Bushido is out of print. It had the complete Japanese order of battle as well as half of chapter G (rules for operations in the Pacific Theatre).
You also need at least the rule book, Beyond Valor and Yanks (see above) to make any use of this module.
Contents: Mounted maps # 34-37, PTO terrain overlays, three counter sheets (Japanese OB), 8 scenarios (59-66), first part of chapter G (including divider), chapter H Japanese
Box art: This picture, like that for the Last Hurrah, is also less detailed than the norm. It looks a little out of focus and one cannot help but wonder why the Japanese soldiers are aiming their weapons at the water.
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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Gung Ho! has the other half of chapter G (see above), the complete Chinese order of battle and the American marines.
You also need at least the rule book, Beyond Valor, Yanks and Code of Bushido (see above) to make any use of this module.
Contents: Mounted maps # 38, 39, PTO terrain overlays, five counter sheets (Chinese OB, USMC OB), 8 scenarios (67-74), second half of chapter G
Box art: This is one of the best covers in the series. It takes its obvious inspiration from a well known war time photo and enhances that by adding elements that illustrate the contents of the module. The feeling of movement and urgency is very well communicated and the detailing is superb.
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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Croix de Guerre has the complete French order of battle.
You also need at least the rule book and Beyond Valor (see above) to make any use of this module.
Contents: Mounted maps # 40, 41, terrain overlay sheet, three counter sheets (French OB), 8 scenarios (75-82), 8 revised rule book pages (for 1st edition), chapter H French, chapter N divider
Box art: This picture of French soldiers has nice detailing, but looks somewhat artificial. The cropping of the feet of the frontmost soldier also looks a little strange.
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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Doomed Battalions is in its third edition and has the allied minor OB. This module was out of print as of 2005, but a new edition was published in 2010.
You also need at least the rule book, Beyond Valor and The Last Hurrah (unless you have the 3rd edition) to make any use of this module.
1st ed contents: Mounted maps # 9, 44, 45, three terrain overlay sheets, counter sheets (allied minor guns & vehicles (the infantry being available in The Last Hurrah above)), 8 scenarios (83-90), chapter H Allied Minors, 12 revised rule book pages (1st edition).
2nd ed contents: Mounted maps # 9, 44, 45, three terrain overlay sheets, counter sheets (allied minor guns & vehicles (the infantry being available in The Last Hurrah above)), 8 scenarios (83-90), chapter H Allied Minors (revised), 12 revised rule book pages (1st edition).
3rd ed contents: Released 2010. Unmounted maps # 9, 11, 33, 44, 45, three terrain overlay sheets, 3 1/2 counter sheets (allied minor infantry and guns & vehicles), 24 scenarios, chapter H Allied Minors (revised and updated).
Box art: I like the composition and general feeling of this picture even if it is less detailed than most of the preceding.
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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Armies of Oblivion is now available and contains the complete order of battle for the Axis minor powers, including the infantry also available in Partisan! above.
You need at least the rule book and Beyond Valor (see above) to make any use of this module.
Contents: Mounted maps # 48-51, three terrain overlay sheets, six countersheets (Axis Minors OB), 11 scenarios, chapter H Axis Minors , 2 SASL axis minor cards
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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Massive module collecting everything from Code of Bushido and Gung Ho and then some.
Contents: Revised Chapter G, Chapter H for Japanese, Chinese, and Landing Craft and Chapter Z (Gavutu-Tanambogo Campaign Game), 1,300 ½” counters and 592 5/8” counters (1,892 total), boards 34-39 and 47, Gavutu-Tanambogo HASL map, overlays and 32 scenarios.
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Mattias Elfström
Sweden
Unspecified
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The last core module adds the complete Finnish OB.
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