ASL Articles from The General

    This is a list of all the articles about Advanced Squad Leader published in The General. This was Avalon Hill's magazine covering its strategy and wargames. Much has been published about ASL in The General. In fact, it was due to the demand for more articles that led to the publication of the first ASL Annual in 1989. However, even after that Avalon Hill continued to publish strategy and analysis articles in The General, several of which are excellent basic strategy or introductory tactics articles. This list is designed to show all material published in The General regarding ASL so anyone looking for these will have a guide as to which issues to seek out. Also listed at the end are several articles covering the original Squad Leader system which help demonstrate the design philosophy and evolution which led to ASL.
    Several of these articles have been reprinted in ASL Classic, and have been so noted.
    I have many of the old issues of The General and will annotate those articles that I own.

First Impressions - The definitive numbers articles
Squad Leader Clinics - Jon Mishcon's clinics on specific rules, including some scenario analysis
Historical Articles
Series Replays
Design Notes, Analysis, Strategy, etc. - General tactical advice and theory
Scenario Analysis - Analysis of specific groups of scenarios
Miscellaneous - Coming attractions, AAR's, etc.
Squad Leader Articles - Articles of particular interest dealing with the original Squad Leader and its expansion gamettes
 
 

First Impressions

First Impressions - An introduction to Advanced Squad Leader: Infantry training (reprinted in ASL Classic)
Vol 22, No 6; Robert Medrow
    The ultimate number crunching ASL articles. This is the first of three done by Medrow for the ASL system. Exhaustive in its analysis of probabilities for the IFT, morale checks, ELR, etc.

First Impressions - An introduction to Advanced Squad Leader: Armor training
Vol 23, No 2; Robert Medrow
    The companion to the infantry article in issue 22:6. Exhaustively analyzes the To Hit and To Kill tables, as well as examining their evolution over the life of the Squad Leader system

First Impressions - An introduction to Advanced Squad Leader: Offboard artillery
Vol 24, No 2; Robert Medrow
     The third in Medrow's series of number heavy ASL articles. This one deals with OBA, and proves statistically that OBA usage consists of more than drawing consecutive red chits, no matter what your personal experience may be.

Squad Leader Clinics - Mishcon's analyses of scenarios A thru J were reprinted in part in ASL Classic

Squad Leader Clinic - "I met my old lover..."
Vol 22, No 6; Jon Mishcon
    Mishcon analyzes the updates of the first three original Squad Leader scenarios (ASL scenarios A, B, and C).

Squad Leader Clinic - Point defense
Vol 23, No 2; Jon Mishcon
    Discusses the concept of point defense as it pertains to Scenario D. Also discusses setup and tactical options for scenarios A, B, and C.

Squad Leader Clinic - Reserves
Vol 23, No 3; Jon Mishcon
    Examines the use of reserves in ASL. Also discusses setup and tactical options for scenarios D and E.

Squad Leader Clinic - How to kill Tigers
Vol 23, No 5; Jon Mishcon
    The answer? It ain't easy. But the article discusses options to improve your odds. Also discusses setup options and basic tactics for scenario G1, Timoshenko's Attack.

Squad Leader Clinic - Night moves
Vol 24, No 1; Jon Mishcon
    A brief discussion of tactics under cover of darkness. Also discusses setup and tactical options for scenario F, Paw of the Tiger, and scenario G, Hube's Pocket.

Squad Leader Clinic - 1987 ASL Tournament (reprinted in ASL Classic)
Vol 24, No 2; Joseph Suchar
    Contains analysis of the four scenarios used for the Origins '87 ASL tournament (scenarios T1 thru T4).

Squad Leader Clinic - Armed and armored halftracks
Vol 24, No 4; Jon Mishcon
    Analysis of the use of halftracks in the ASL system. Also includes a discussion of setup options and basic tactics for ASL scenario H, Escape from Velikiye Luki.

Squad Leader Clinic - Achtung minen!
Vol 25, No 2; Jon Mishcon
    Analysis of the use of mines and booby traps in ASL. Also discusses setup and tactical options for ASL scenario G6, Rocket's Red Glare.

Squad Leader Clinic - Guns versus tanks
Vol 25, No 3; Jon Mishcon
    As it says, analysis of tactics for anti-tank ordnance. Includes discussion of setup and tactical options for ASL scenarios K, The Cannes Strongpoint, and L, Hitdorf on the Rhine.

Squad Leader Clinic - Man versus tank
Vol 25, No 6; Jon Mishcon
    Analysis of CC anti-tank tactics. Also discusses setup and tactical options for scenario M, First Crisis at AG North.

Squad Leader Clinic - Mortars
Vol 26, No 1; Jon Mishcon
    The tactics of using mortars. Plus discussion of setup and tactical options for scenario N, Soldiers of Destruction

Squad Leader Clinic - Massed armor assault
Vol 26, No 2; Jon Mishcon
 
 

Historical Articles

Darby's Rangers - Reference notes for ASL
Vol 25, No 5; Steven C. Swann
    First of Swann's excellent historical ASL articles, in this case detailing the history of America's first Commando force. It also provides a description of the TO&E in ASL terms and ties into the scenario in this issue, G8, Recon in Force.

Tommy Atkins at war - The British in ASL
Vol 25, No 6; Charles Markuss
    Historical background on the British troops in WWII and how they fit into ASL.

Broken swords - The minor neutral powers 1939-41 (reprinted in ASL Classic)
Vol 25, No 6; David Meyler
    Overview of the allied minor powers covered in The Last Hurrah.

Desantiniki - Reference notes for ASL
Vol 26, No 2; Steven C. Swann

With friends like these - The Axis minor allies, 1941-1945
Vol 26, No 4; David Meyler

Red Devils - Reference notes for ASL
Vol 26, No 5; Steven C. Swann
    Historical overview of the British paratroopers, including TO&E in ASL terms. Ties in to scenario G11, Pegasus Bridge, in this issue.

Alpine hunters - Reference notes for ASL
Vol 27, No 1; Steven C. Swann

Semper avanti - Reference notes for ASL
Vol 27, No 5; Andrew H. Hershey
    Historical overview of the American Mountain Division, including TO&E in ASL terms. Ties in to scenario G13, A View from the Top, in this issue.

The men on the box - "From the archives"
Vol 28, No 2; Paul E. Ison, USMC (Ret.)
    Fascinating brief historical article by one of the marines depicted on the Gung Ho box cover.

Semper Fi! - The United States Marine Corps in ASL
Vol 28, No 2; Steven C. Swann
    Historical analysis of the USMC, its development and evolution during the war, and its application to ASL.

Oil wars - The campaigns in Iraq and Iran (Reference notes to ASL)
Vol 29, No 4; David Meyler
    Historical analysis of the fighting in the Middle East and its application to the ASL system.

Commando - British commandos for ASL
Vol 30, No 2; Steven C. Swann
    Historical analysis of the commandos and their application to the ASL system.

American eagles - An historical look at US Paratroopers for ASL
Vol 30, No 3; Steven C. Swann
    An historical analysis of the creation, development and major actions of the US Paratroopers, along with their application to the ASL system.
 
 

Series Replays

Series Replay - Beyond Valor, Scenario 8, Part 1
Vol 23, No 2; Don Chappell, Jim Blick, Charles Kibler (commentator)
    Part 1 of a replay of ASL scenario 8.

Series Replay - Beyond Valor, Scenario 8, Part 2
Vol 23, No 3; Don Chappell, Jim Blick, Charles Kibler (commentator)
    Part 2 of the replay begun in issue 23:2.

Series Replay - Streets of Fire, Scenario 1, Part 1
Vol 24, No 1; Darryl Burk, Bill Conner, Mark C. Nixon (commentator)
    "Action" Burk and "Fish" Conner square off in DASL city fighting.

Series Replay - Streets of Fire, Scenario 1, Part 2
Vol 24, No 2; Darryl Burk, Bill Conner, Mark C. Nixon (commentator)
    Part 2 of the replay begun in issue 24:1.

 Series Replay - Solitaire ASL
Vol 31, No 3; Neil Clark (Commentary by Richard Eichenlaub)
    Clark's Americans take on the game system (and the German army) in mission 4, Bunker Busting.
 
 

Design Notes, Analysis, Strategy, etc.

Design Analysis - ASL Notes
Vol 22, No 6; Don Greenwood
    Greenwood discusses questions about the (then) new system and what future plans included.

Staff Briefing - An interview with Bob McNamara
Vol 23, No 2; Rex A. Martin
    An interview with McNamara, one of the most important figures in the development of the ASL system. In it, he discusses a number of design aspects for the system, as well as discussing future plans.

Going all out - Design your own (my way)
Vol 24, No 1; Greg Schmittgens, Charles Kibler
    A method of randomly selecting the conditions for DYO scenarios.

ASL armor studies - Exceptions to the rule
Vol 24, No 4; Lorrin Bird
    An analysis of the armor system regarding armor factors and where the system is less than perfect. For the true armor afficianado.

Gunned-up in the desert - A West of Alamein adventure
Vol 25, No 3; Mark C. Nixon
    Nice narrative introducing rules and tactics pertaining to the desert in ASL.

Taking a bite out of a hunk of cheese - Or how to counter an AFV in motion bypass
Vol 29, No 6; Don Clouse
    Tips on how to defend that most dastardly of tactics, VBM freeze.

Eight steps to ASL - A programmed instruction approach
Vol 30, No 1; Jim Stahler
    One of the most important introductory articles published on ASL as it provides a PI approach for learning the ASL system. Originally published in the '90 ASL Annual (now out of print), it was reprinted here and is currently available at MMP's official web site as well.

Tactics 101 - 13 steps closer to improving your ASL game
Vol 30, No 1; Mike McGrath
    Another great introductory article, this time covering some of the most important basic tactics. Written by one of ASL's finest players, this is a must-read for almost any player.

When bad things happen to good weapons - How weapons break in ASL
Vol 30, No 5; Perry Cocke
    Discussion of how breakdown occurs in the ASL system, including clarification of some of the rules.

Breaking down the numbers - Figuring the odds of malfunction or disabling of your weapon in ASL
Vol 30, No 5; Mike Clay and Morgan Samuels
    Discusses how to figure the likelihood of breakdown in an ASL scenario and therefore the expected lifespan of a weapon.

Hyper sniper - A SANe look at this threat in ASL
Vol 31, No 2; Mark C. Nixon
    Tactical advice on how to prevent snipers from totally ruining you and your 9-2's day.

Alone and confused - Solitaire ASL and the novice player
Vol 31, No 3; Matthew Elison
    An overview of what SASL is, along with an analysis of the SASL scenarios with regard to their complexity for the new player

Hung up, skewered, and blasted - The use of wire, panjis and A-P mines in ASL
Vol 31, No 4; Chuck Goetz
    Tactical tips on how to get the most out of your obstacles
 
 

Scenario Analysis

Desert winds - The scenarios of WOA, part I
Vol 25, No 6; Mark C. Nixon
    In-depth analysis of scenarios 35 thru 38 from WOA.

Desert winds - The scenarios of WOA, part II
Vol 26, No 1; Mark C. Nixon
    In-depth analysis of scenarios 39 thru 42 from WOA.

Pulling old chestnuts from the fire - The Atlanticon ASL tournament scenarios (reprinted in part in ASL Classic)
Vol 27, No 2; Jim Stahler
    Analysis of scenarios T5, The Pouppeville Exit, and T6, The Dead of Winter.

Pulling old chestnuts from the fire - The Atlanticon ASL tournament scenarios, part II
Vol 27, No 3; Jim Stahler
    Analysis of scenarios T7, Hill 253.5, and T8, Aachen's Pall.

More old chestnuts - The Origins ASL tournament scenarios, part I
Vol 28, No 1; Jim Stahler

More old chestnuts - The Origins ASL tournament scenarios, part II
Vol 28, No 2; Jim Stahler
    Analysis of scenarios T11, The Attempt to Relieve Peiper, and T12, Hunters from the Sky.

Scenario Briefing - Player's notes for ASL
Vol 28, No 2; Mark C. Nixon
    Analysis of scenario A25, Cold Crocodiles.

Scenario Briefing - Player's notes for ASL
Vol 28, No 4; Mark C. Nixon
    Analysis of scenario DASL A2, Last Act in Lorraine.

Roasting chestnuts - The AtlantiCon '92 ASL tournament scenarios, part I
Vol 28, No 6; Jim Stahler
    Analysis of scenarios T13, Commando Raid at Dieppe, and T14, Gambit.

Roasting chestnuts - The AtlantiCon '92 ASL tournament scenarios, part II
Vol 29, No 1; Jim Stahler
    Analysis of scenarios T15, The Akrotiri Peninsula Defense, and T16, Strayer's Strays.

Scenario Briefing - Player's notes for ASL
Vol 29, No 2; Mark C. Nixon
    Analysis of scenario DASL A, To The Last Man

Scenario Briefing - A Tough Nut to Crack!
Vol 29, No 3; Guy Chaney
    Analysis of scenario G19.

Designer's Notes - Camp Nibeiwa (ASL scenario G20)
Vol 29, No 3; Gary Fortenberry
    Analysis of scenario G20.

ASL Crossfire - The Kiwi's Attack (DASL scenario B)
Vol 30, No 4; Robert Banozic and Rich Summers
    Extensive analysis from both sides of DASL scenario B.

ASL Crossfire - Hill 253.5
Vol 31, No 1; Robert Banozic and Rich Summers
    Very in depth analysis of scenario T7.

Scenario Briefing - A breath of fresh air from the Windy City
Vol 31, No 5; Louie Tokarz
    Analysis of scenario G40, Will to Fight... Eradicated, courtesy of the Windy City Wargamers.

ASL Crossfire - KGP 7: The Bridge at Cheneux
Vol 31, No 6; Robert Banozic and Rich Summers
    Crossfire turns its attention to this scenario from the second KGP module with the usual in depth analysis.

Scenario Briefing - G44: Abandon Ship!
Vol 32, No 2; Louie Tokarz
    Analysis of another Windy City scenario.

Chestnuts of iron - The Defense of Luga
Vol 32, No 3; Jim Stahler
    In depth analysis of scenario W.
 
 

Miscellaneous

Coming Attractions - The Last Hurrah
Vol 25, No 1; Rex A. Martin
    A preview of the upcoming module. Gives some insight into the playtesting process and design decisions.

Coming Attractions - Red Barricades
Vol 25, No 6; Charles Kibler
    Kibler's preview of the upcoming HASL module.

Coming Attractions - Gung Ho!
Vol 27, No 2; Robert McNamara
    Preview of the upcoming Marine/Chinese module.

The numbers game - A look at the 1992 ASL competition
Vol 28, No 3; Russ Gifford
    A look at the balance of a number of scenarios, based on playings at several tournaments.

After-action report... - The First Annual ASL Open
Vol 28, No 4; Gary Fortenberry
    AAR of the first ASL Open. Also gives W-L records for the scenarios used in the tournament.

It's debatable - Why so much Advanced Squad Leader?
Vol 31, No 3; Brian C. Blad
    Blad provides a quick explanation of ASL and its devoted following in order to explain the large volume of ASL material published in the General. A call to arms of sorts for new players.

A preface to Peiper - Intro to Kampfgruppe Peiper
Vol 31, No 6; Stuart K. Tucker
    A brief introduction to the two KGP HASL modules.
 
 

Squad Leader - These articles are referenced for anyone who wants to understand where ASL came from, both in terms of design philosophy and evolution of the rules. They also serve to show what a debt we all owe to John Hill and Don Greenwood, the primary movers behind the development of the system that would eventually become Advanced Squad Leader.

Squad Leader first impressions - An introduction to Squad Leader (Vol 14, No 5)
First impressions - An introduction to Squad Leader plus one (Vol 15, No 6)
First impressions - An introduction to Squad Leader plus two (Vol 17, No 2)
First impressions - An introduction to Squad Leader plus three (Vol 20, No 1)
    Robert Medrow's original articles about the Squad Leader game system. The first article covers the original game, introducing the concepts of the system along with the usual probability analysis. The remaining three articles reviewed each of the three gamettes in turn, covering the changes in the system as it evolved. As such, it is an interesting view of how ASL slowly developed.

Squad Leader historical commentary - The evolution of small unit tactics
Vol 14, No 5; John Hill
    Although the armor system has been greatly refined since the first game was released, Squad Leader was originally primarily an infantry game. This historical article by the game's designer describes the development of the squad as the main tactical element of infantry combat.

Design Analysis - Game design: Art or science (An evaluation of the Squad Leader game design)
Vol 14, No 5; Don Greenwood, John Hill, and Hal Hock
    Greenwood describes Hill (the designer of Squad Leader) and Hock (the designer of AH's game Tobruk) as representing different ends of the design spectrum, calling Hill's approach "artistic" and Hock's approach "scientific." One of the attractions of the SL/ASL game system has always been its ability to represent ground combat in a realistic and highly detailed manner while at the same time abstracting a number of factors and keeping the game highly playable. Hock's Tobruk design was probably the most detailed and realistic simulation published by a commercial game company. In this article, Hock offers a number of criticisms of the original SL design, with Hill providing a number of insights into the game's design through his rebuttals.