Neal/Scott, a great idea to expand the starter kit , and thus get us more into full asl. As you point out these are optional rules but help move the asl starter. I look forwards to more on this. Really appreciate your passion.
This is a great idea. I am an SK/ASL player, meaning I play SK with some ASL rules added. Bypass is one, Heat of Battle is another (A15.1 if memory serves...or is it 15.5? I have a bookmark..:). I also added surrender rules literally today because it came up with a HOB role... Great idea!
This is an interesting idea. I jumped straight into full ASL, but I'm going to pick up SK out of curiosity. If there's anything I can do to help with this project let me know. I am a technical writer/editor in real life. Unrelated, but while I'm typing... I think there's room for better guidance on CGs. The rules are very dense and complicated (and start in the middle for setup). I'm trying to set up an RB CG with a friend as our first CG -- and taking notes for a cheat sheet during the process -- but it's a real slog just setting up a CG for the first time. That said, I could see "CG lite" being an interesting opportunity for SK players to get more mileage out of the smaller library of scenarios. There's lots of room for something that's in between scenarios A, B, and C and full-on RB. Keep up the good work. Cheers
I think it's definitely too much of a map for SK. It's on the backburner for now, but something I want to revisit. I even wrote up some rough Combat Medic rules for it.
To be perfectly honest if, after playing through all the content in SK 1-3, the intended 'victim' is still not willing to take the step to full ASL, then I doubt any additional incentive will achieve that goal. But since we are inquisitive and curious creatures with magpie characteristics, I am not at all surprised that 86 percent of poll takers told you they will happily give you their money. I'm also quite sure that signicant portion of that group will actually also purchase from you whatever you create, me included. :-)
Yeah, SK doesn't really have a true Normandy bocage type board, and hedge rules were introduced in a SK pack, but you have to hunt the rules down. Bocage are just hedge rules that are pumped up a bit. Scott's new scenario in Special Ops #12 has simplified bocage rules as an SSR.
This is an interesting idea. I think the main concern is at what point are you just trying to make asl version 3 with sk style rules, and does that defeat the purpose of starter kit or does it compete too much with full ASL? I am very interested in this, I am not sure I have time to really help but would love to if I could
I don't think the goal is to create ASL v3, but to give SK players more options and variety. These optional rules could be adopted piecemeal (one by one) by players/designers, or include all of them as a bridge to full ASL. I think SK players would be surprised how adopting even a few simplified ASL rules makes the game more dynamic. Bypass movement for example. One column of rules.
@@ASLAcademyagreed and I think this is great for showing that asl is not actually that scary. The rules are just very verbose as they have been developed over many years. But core rules are pretty straightforward with lots of situational (essentially optional rules)
If you are playing an SK scenario with optional infantry bypass how will the scenario need to be adjusted for the greater movement capability of the units? A five turn rush may become a four turn dawdle with the extra movement.
Optional rules are not meant to be used with existing SK scenarios. They are meant to be called out in the SSR for newly designed scenarios, or for using SK rules to play some of the more simple full ASL scenarios.
It's actually not on Sicily, I misspoke. It's on the Italian mainland, inland from Salerno. It's battles for a hill overlooking the invasion beaches. It would be a HASL for full ASL, probably too complex for SK. I don't know if the HASL would just be a group of linked scenarios, or CG. It would introduce some rules for Terraces and Combat Medics (sort of like a non-combat hero that can attempt to remove wounded status from leaders and reduced the chance of Casual Reduction for units in its hex). Anyway, it's all concept stuff right now, and a long ways off. I'm learning HASL development is really slow.
I wouldn't recommend using these optional rules for existing SK scenarios. They're to be used for future SK scenarios then activate optional rules via a SSR, or to use to play some of the more simple full ASL scenarios.
A lot of overhead with that one, including move mechanics, delineating which AFVS can/cannot have riders, To Hit mechanics (collateral damage on riders when VTT is used to hit a vehicle), etc.
@@ASLAcademy Thanks for the reply. I was maybe thinking of "simpler" rules - Maybe 'coz I'm playing COI at the moment. (Not seeing the whole picture) 😉
Idk, this seems very niche. With the resources out there like chapter k and stahler’s classic 8 steps I don’t see the need for another transition series beyond sk. Anyone who has played sk through can go full asl with chapter k and the 8 steps already. Optional rules just seems like it would lead to confusion and balance issues in the scenarios. I’d rather see more advanced SK and more entry level ASL scenarios.
Neal/Scott, a great idea to expand the starter kit , and thus get us more into full asl. As you point out these are optional rules but help move the asl starter.
I look forwards to more on this.
Really appreciate your passion.
Thanks sir. When we get into the phase of needing review/playtest help we'll put out the call.
From starter kit you decide if you like it. If you do buy the full rules and choose what to add to your level or interest.
thats how I have treated it. Although, I bought beyond valor before the full rulebook... oops
This is a great idea. I am an SK/ASL player, meaning I play SK with some ASL rules added. Bypass is one, Heat of Battle is another (A15.1 if memory serves...or is it 15.5? I have a bookmark..:). I also added surrender rules literally today because it came up with a HOB role...
Great idea!
This is an interesting idea. I jumped straight into full ASL, but I'm going to pick up SK out of curiosity. If there's anything I can do to help with this project let me know. I am a technical writer/editor in real life.
Unrelated, but while I'm typing... I think there's room for better guidance on CGs. The rules are very dense and complicated (and start in the middle for setup). I'm trying to set up an RB CG with a friend as our first CG -- and taking notes for a cheat sheet during the process -- but it's a real slog just setting up a CG for the first time. That said, I could see "CG lite" being an interesting opportunity for SK players to get more mileage out of the smaller library of scenarios. There's lots of room for something that's in between scenarios A, B, and C and full-on RB.
Keep up the good work. Cheers
18:53 beautiful map - probably too much for SK but it’s great looking.
I think it's definitely too much of a map for SK. It's on the backburner for now, but something I want to revisit. I even wrote up some rough Combat Medic rules for it.
I’m not going to commit to playtesting yet, but I am open to reading and edits.
That would be great. When we get serious about final proofing I'll post in the SK Facebook group.
@@ASLAcademyI don’t have a Facebook account but I’m open to helping with both proofing and play testing.
To be perfectly honest if, after playing through all the content in SK 1-3, the intended 'victim' is still not willing to take the step to full ASL, then I doubt any additional incentive will achieve that goal. But since we are inquisitive and curious creatures with magpie characteristics, I am not at all surprised that 86 percent of poll takers told you they will happily give you their money. I'm also quite sure that signicant portion of that group will actually also purchase from you whatever you create, me included. :-)
15:36 that’s a lot of bocage…but that’s the point, right?
Yeah, SK doesn't really have a true Normandy bocage type board, and hedge rules were introduced in a SK pack, but you have to hunt the rules down. Bocage are just hedge rules that are pumped up a bit. Scott's new scenario in Special Ops #12 has simplified bocage rules as an SSR.
This is an interesting idea. I think the main concern is at what point are you just trying to make asl version 3 with sk style rules, and does that defeat the purpose of starter kit or does it compete too much with full ASL?
I am very interested in this, I am not sure I have time to really help but would love to if I could
I don't think the goal is to create ASL v3, but to give SK players more options and variety. These optional rules could be adopted piecemeal (one by one) by players/designers, or include all of them as a bridge to full ASL. I think SK players would be surprised how adopting even a few simplified ASL rules makes the game more dynamic. Bypass movement for example. One column of rules.
@@ASLAcademyagreed and I think this is great for showing that asl is not actually that scary. The rules are just very verbose as they have been developed over many years. But core rules are pretty straightforward with lots of situational (essentially optional rules)
Neil, how about a video on how to design scenarios (especially for SK?)?
I'm not a guy with 100s of scenarios under my belt, but yeah I could do a video about the process I use to design a scenario.
If you are playing an SK scenario with optional infantry bypass how will the scenario need to be adjusted for the greater movement capability of the units? A five turn rush may become a four turn dawdle with the extra movement.
Optional rules are not meant to be used with existing SK scenarios. They are meant to be called out in the SSR for newly designed scenarios, or for using SK rules to play some of the more simple full ASL scenarios.
Neal, can you tell us more about the Sicily HASL you showed on the video? Is that a future HASL?
It's actually not on Sicily, I misspoke. It's on the Italian mainland, inland from Salerno. It's battles for a hill overlooking the invasion beaches. It would be a HASL for full ASL, probably too complex for SK. I don't know if the HASL would just be a group of linked scenarios, or CG. It would introduce some rules for Terraces and Combat Medics (sort of like a non-combat hero that can attempt to remove wounded status from leaders and reduced the chance of Casual Reduction for units in its hex). Anyway, it's all concept stuff right now, and a long ways off. I'm learning HASL development is really slow.
How would you determine SANs for all existing SK scenarios?
I wouldn't recommend using these optional rules for existing SK scenarios. They're to be used for future SK scenarios then activate optional rules via a SSR, or to use to play some of the more simple full ASL scenarios.
25:55 ROFL....WHip it GOOD!!! - Devo
Altavilla map rocks. Does SK use levels now?
Current SK has level 1 hills, that's it. Extra building elevation (steeple) was added in DAE, but it's pretty simple.
Cool project.
What wopuld be great in SK is rules for passengers on AFVs. I find that rather lacking.
A lot of overhead with that one, including move mechanics, delineating which AFVS can/cannot have riders, To Hit mechanics (collateral damage on riders when VTT is used to hit a vehicle), etc.
@@ASLAcademy Thanks for the reply. I was maybe thinking of "simpler" rules - Maybe 'coz I'm playing COI at the moment. (Not seeing the whole picture) 😉
Single page reference for the OPTIONAL rules are KEY... Simple sheet.
Will the hill rules essentially use DaE concepts? It would be more apropos
Not sure how to approach "advanced elevation" and keep it simple...yet.
Maps are Fucking Sexy AF
Idk, this seems very niche. With the resources out there like chapter k and stahler’s classic 8 steps I don’t see the need for another transition series beyond sk. Anyone who has played sk through can go full asl with chapter k and the 8 steps already. Optional rules just seems like it would lead to confusion and balance issues in the scenarios. I’d rather see more advanced SK and more entry level ASL scenarios.