Pyramid Mini-Review
Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit #1
Published by Multi-Man Publishing, LLC
Designed by Ken Dunn with Chas Argent, John D. Johnson, Pete Shelling, & Brian Youse
Cartography by Kurt Miller
Two 8"×22" Mapboards, 12-page Rulebook, 280 ½-inch counters, three scenario sheets, 1 Quick-Reference Data Chart & two six-sided dice; $24
Avalon Hill's Advanced Squad Leader game system provides peerless squad-based World War II wargaming, yet its detailed game system and steep learning curve is both daunting and expensive. Fortunately, Multi-Man Publishing, has countered this with Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit #1.
Introducing prospective players to the game's core concepts and giving a feel for the full game, Starter Kit #1 is relatively inexpensive compared to the full game ($80 versus $24), concentrating entirely on infantry combat plus support weapons between US, German, and Russian troops. Vehicles are saved for the full game and further Starter Kits.
Starter Kit #1 is pleasingly appointed with full-color rules, and clear, easy-to-use double-sided counters. The full-color mapboards are not mounted, instead printed on sturdy card. A turn counter is needed though, and the second player needs a Quick-Reference Data Chart.
Opponents maneuver their squads to bring enough firepower to bear on the enemy, inflicting casualties and breaking enemy morale, restricting a squad's fighting ability. The game's heart, the squad leader, is necessary to coordinate the firepower . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: March 9, 2007
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