Advanced Squad Leader (ASL)
Anecdote
A monumental work by Don Greenwood for Avalon Hill, Advanced Squad Leader is arguably the most ambitious tactical wargame ever published. The hex-and-counter system at squad and half-squad scale rests on a colossal ruleset covering every theatre of the Second World War. Two players command Allied and Axis forces on maps representing every landscape of the conflict. A game lasts from three to ten hours depending on the scenario, and replayability is sustained by thousands of official and fan-made scenarios. The learning curve is legendarily demanding, but the title offers unparalleled depth. Greenwood rebuilt Squad Leader to make it more rigorous and extensible, working with a team of passionate designers. The original components are exhaustive, with thematic modules for each theatre — Beyond Valor, Paratrooper, Yanks, Partisan!, Code of Bushido, and many others. ASL achieved phenomenal success, establishing it as the absolute reference tactical wargame. The line is today maintained by Multi-Man Publishing following their acquisition of the Avalon Hill rights. The title's influence is incalculable: it defines the standard for simulationist tactical wargaming. ASL has become a hobby within a hobby, with its tournaments, specialist press (ASL Journal, View From the Trenches), and a highly active worldwide community. The French-speaking community is well organized, with tournaments held in France and Belgium. A French translation of the rules was produced by fans, testament to the vitality of the system. The title appears in every wargaming hall of fame and is regularly cited as the greatest wargame ever designed. For tactics enthusiasts, ASL is the initiation trial of the serious wargamer, the absolute pinnacle of four decades of American editorial expertise. It embodies the summit of the simulationist genre and remains, after four decades, the benchmark of every WWII tactical simulation.
Popularity & reception
Awards — Charles S. Roberts Award - Best Tactical Game (1985) · Origins Award - Hall of Fame · Games Magazine Hall of Fame · BGG Top 50 Wargames
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