Tussle in the Tundra 2022

[Whiterook]

A premier New England Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) tournament held annually, Tussle in the Tundra always has a fun and easy going playing atmosphere, with plenty of gaming options for your attendance preference of full or partial day attendance.

Tournament dates are August 4th-7th, 2022. There will be :

• Open play on Thursday the 4th
  
• The Main ASL Tournament scheduled to start on Friday and conclude on Sunday
• The full system Saturday Mini Tournament is a chance for folks who can’t attend all days to get in on tourney action
• The ASL Starter Kit Mini is Saturday as well, and is perfect for those that are just starting out in the ASL system and/or prefer the streamlined system play offered by SK

And of course, there’s plenty of chances for pickup games throughout all days for full system outside of the tournament schedule, as well as for Starter Kit fans.

Held at the BEST WESTERN PLUS Executive Court Inn & Conference Center, at 13500 South Willow Street, Manchester, New Hampshire, there is plenty of gaming space, with comfortable seating, great eating close by, and a chance to take a swim to relax your war-weary bones in a heated indoor pool. Rooms have been secured at a special rate, and are well appointed with amenities to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. Go to the Tussle in the Tundra website link above to see more about the event and the hotel; and if you do stay at the hotel, don’t forget to mention that you are with the “Tussle in the Tundra ASL Tournament” to secure this special rate.

I have personally attended this amazing event for several years and it’s my Go To, Must Attend, ASL tournament experience. The friendliness and camaraderie is top notch! I highly recommend!!!

[Whiterook]

Well, thought I’d turn this into a log!

…it’s exactly two weeks out ‘til I leave for the Tussie, and I’ve been preparing best I can with my nemesis system that I love and hate all in one whacky ball of frustration. I did a run through if the ASL Starter Kit 1 rules, and I am now reading SK2 for the first time; which has the benefit of being a review in its self, as a lot of it is SK1 infantry rehash, with the inclusion of artillery. I’m only a three pages in and was stalled… hills and crest lines were eating my lunch, until o realized late last night, the colors in the rulebook are off (for my eyes, anyway) and I was reversing up and down hill…basically, the frickin’ hill depiction! Long story short, the depiction of open ground is a light green on the actual mapboards, but depicted darker in the rulebook. Ugh! I continue today and hope to get through most of the rest (the whole schmoo would be great!).

I’ll digress in saying that this past weekend, I started SK3 I stead, thinking I could get a light handle on both artillery (SK2) and armor (SK3)…. NOPE! …that ain’t happenin’. Armor is insanely complex.

OK, so back to artillery… come to find out, it seems the issue of complexity with hills and crest lines are a bane to many new SKers, not just me. The rules are horribly written in general, and the type is insanely small and compact, so it’s just a miserable task. There are many instances where they say an effect, but do not clarify to which side, for instance… you have to interpret way too much. This, in fairness,mis not just an MMP issue… pretty much every game designer/company sucks in writing and editing. Truth!

I’m starting to get it… slow progress, but progress. 

[Whiterook]

I’d planned on playing some of the eligible scenarios before the actual SK Mini tournament on Saturday, August 6th; I still plan to make that happen, at least as much as possible… but a lot has transpired in these months leading up to the 5-day event, including a nasty fall, a week vacation at Cape Cod, and putting a model together as one of the prizes (pro bono gift).

With the inclusion of the artillery rules, of the 9-scenarios presented to choose from, I now have 5 I should be able to play in (instead of the just 3 infantry-only ones).

There are 3-Rounds in the Saturday SK Mini:

• Round 1 takes place between 9am-1pm; 3 eligible scenarios, one each of infantry only, infantry & artillery, infantry & armor
• Round 2 takes place between 2pm-6pm; 3 eligible scenarios, one each of infantry only, infantry & artillery, infantry & armor
• Round 3 takes place between 6:30pm-10:30pm; 3 eligible scenarios, one infantry only, and two each of infantry & artillery & armor

The pairing players choose which one each wants to play and comes to an agreement of what to play. They try to come to agreement on which to play, though they can choose a scenario outside the eligible nine upon mutual agreement if the sleigh eligibles aren’t what they want to play.

My choices are:

Round 1… 

1st Choice: “88’s at Zon” (Infantry & Artillery)



2nd Choice: “ Going Commando” (Infantry only)




Round 2…

1st Choice: “A Handfull of Howdy” (Infantry & Guns)



2nd Choice: “Take It Back” (Infantry only) …I’d rather not play this one, since I don’t know the National characteristics of the Japanese in ASLSK




Round 3…

1st Choice: “Butchers And Bakers” (Infantry only)



…I have no clue on armor so, those other scenarios are definitely out. If my matched up opponent doesn’t want to play this one, I’ll suggest one of my earlier choices that they haven’t played.

[mikeh]

I didn't know ASL went to the Pacific. That's cool. Seeing as how this is a tournament you will use the "Balance" rules instead of historical? How do you decide who plays what side? I have a feeling the players of ASL like the games rules are a little to intense for me. Will this be the fortress of rule lawyers I envision it to be? Will you see Duncan there?

[Whiterook]

Jul 21, 2022 10:54:35 GMT -5 mikeh said:

I didn't know ASL went to the Pacific. That's cool. Seeing as how this is a tournament you will use the "Balance" rules instead of historical? How do you decide who plays what side? I have a feeling the players of ASL like the games rules are a little to intense for me. Will this be the fortress of rule lawyers I envision it to be? Will you see Duncan there?

I love that term, “Rules Lawyer”! Well, I’ve only been to the ASL tournaments, “Tussle on the Tundra” and “Nor’easter”, both New England… in both cases:

• The full ASL system players are indeed, intense, and extreme rules sticklers.
  

• The Starter Kit folks are MUCH more laid back, and though every effort is made to be rules compliant, there’s an odd dynamic between most players being noobs, and making mistakes and bad moves, and experienced SK players that know the system down pat and give no quarter in tournament… it is oddly, that dynamic that makes the experience unbalanced.

I’ve only seen one player that is a full system player, playing in Starter Kit tournaments… on one level, I would think that’d be an unfair advantage, yet he didn’t win the only one I know he played in so, I think he started with SK and moved up to full system. Now the truly interesting this is full system players that jump into Starter Kit… they seem a bit lost, ‘cause they can’t do everything they can do in full system 

Mike, for me, I started in Starter Kit… and when I decided to put my hand in the race of a tournament, being assured it’s newbie friendly… it was full system and I got murdered! I played one scenario, lost embarrassingly, and ran for the hills, just roaming the tables watching and escaping to my hotel room! There was no Starter Kit play or tournaments at either events I mentioned, until I bitched so loudly on their email groups that the SK appeared in Training Boot Camp (no tourney) style at Nor’easter, and as a 1-day Mini tourney at Tussle last year.

Speaking with total honesty, full system has been way too intense for me for decades… I could never make it past the first chapter (Infantry), and not very far into that chapter for that matter. It’s so anal and brainiac, haha…I mean that in a good way, as I truly admire the folks who have mastered it or continue ti try and master it. It truly is a a “Life Long” learning system. I truly have no idea if I’ll ever make the switch over… I highly doubt it…

On the other hand, Starter Kit is much more simplified… much more accessible and relaxed. To me, it’s a lot like a more intense version of Lock ‘N Load Tactical (to give perspective). That’s why I continue to try to master it… the challenge of being the next step up from LNLT, and a “possibility” to full system (still, probably the Ultimate wargaming platform). But even though SK is more simplified, oddly, many full system players kinda look down their nose at it, to be honest, or look at it like “The Kiddie Table” at Thanksgiving Dinner… I don’t really like that, but then I’ll see full system players at events and I can feel mostly like an outsider, so, I’ll be happy to stick with SK for now.

On balance, the majority of scenarios in ASL and ASLSK are chosen for balance, as not all scenarios are.

Choice or scenario is by mutual agreement… we are provided the list of eligible ones, and we figure out which ones we want to shoot for. If consensus cannot be reached, we’d see if we can either pick one outside of the list, or ask the Tournament Director to make up our mind for us  

Yes, ASL Starter Kit 4 introduced the Pacific Theater! In full system, it has everything, and it recently went into the Korean War.

Unfortunately, I do not see Duncan’s name on the list of players… there are only six of us.

[Whiterook]

The tournament was fun, but exhausting! It was fairly chill, until the actual Saturday Stayer Kit Mini Tournament, and as seen above, it was an aggressive schedule. I’d bout a tuna sub at Jersey Mike’s the night before and I’m glad I did! …half hour for lunch and dinner, spent in my room wolfing down half of the sub each… man, I didn’t want tuna for a little while now! The tournament lasted for me, until just after 11pm that night so, it was pretty much a 14-hour day of gaming, and to be honest, it was too much for me. I was super sore and exhausted by 6pm, never mind 11.

This was me playing in the First Round, Saturday morning…



There we’re a lot of great gaming going on…






























There were near a dozen games going at the peak hours between rounds of the Saturday SK Mini, a fill system Mini tournament, a full system tournament, and some playtesting of a pretty nifty scenario for some game company. There were a few non-ASL games, too, mainly at night.

What I like about this event is for the most part, it’s so much more casual than most ASL events, and that’s the charm of it… it’s more like a gathering of old friends!

[Whiterook]

I did nicely at the raffle, winning a DVG game of Warfighter modern.



I also scored a couple neat coasters as a give-away…



…the one on the left is glass with rubber feet, and just gorgeous! It sits next to my computer keyboard now…



…it is keeping last years’ coaster company… that one was made with ceramic…



And I also was given a set of British Dice!

[Whiterook]

The Prize for me was, some fella builds these neat dice towers, which have made there way to the Tussle in the Tundra the past couple years. This years’ had the same pillbox one, but the mortar was new, and the first one ever to be sold (…yes, they are labeled/numbered beneath…



Quite pricey, but something quite rare in number, as few are made. I bought the U.S. 60mm  Mortar!












…sorry for the USA Today newspaper beneath, but I snapped the picks Sunday afternoon when I got home and I was exhausted… but it also does give you a perspective on scale! It’s simply gorgeous! I sent a pick to my wife, telling her I was thinking of getting it, and she said t9 definitely buy it!!! …that it was too cool. Now ain’t that a cool wife!!! 

[Whiterook]

I posted short recaps on my three round, over in the new One Shots subforum… but as a recap. I got my first choices in Round 1 & 2, and the last round was a scenario mutually agreed upon by my opponent and me. What was great about this whole thing was, I played ASL Starter Kit the best I ever had; I played SK2 Artillery rules and held my own nicely; it was a great kickstart into serious gaming since retiring, having been sidetracked a couple months from my fall. This was actually perfect timing, in that I now have a serious burn to game again, and best of all, I feel more confident in a complex system that has ate my lunch for well over a decade or more.

I feel more confident now that by next year, I could have mastered all four Starter Kits and actually be a serious contender. That said, I surprised myself this year, in being a stronger competitor than I’d imagined. There’s a good chance I’d go again next year, but I will admit that the breakneck pace of the mini tournament really kicked my ass… I don’t know how these guys do the two or three day marathons. I know ask myself, do I want to put myself through that? As a comparison, at Compass Games Expo, it’s totally at my pace and super relaxed… that’s what I like; and coincidentally, it’s not a competition or tournament. Lot to think about over the next year!

[Whiterook]

Attending Tussle in the Tundra was transformative for me this year! Allow me to explain…

The SK Factor

Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) is said to be one of, if not the most immersive Wargames ever created. The detail played is simply unbelievable and amazing. I’ve also heard it said that it is a “Lifelong System”, said mainly because it it is said by some, to take a lifetime to learn, and I’m not sure anyone ever masters it. These descriptions are seen many times around forums and social media, as well as in-person gaming. I can personally attest that to a new player, it’s wonderfully grand and just as intimidating.

Somewhere along the line, Multi Man Publishing (MMP) figured these things out and came out with the Starter Kits (SK), each individually boxed game covering a different aspect; infantry (in SK1), artillery (in SK2), armor (in SK3), and recently the Pacific Theater (in SK4). MMP has also produced supplemental scenario and bonus packs to further expand the SK system. And a small subset of folks even produce added scenarios to the series. For those unfamiliar with the SK system, they are just as advertised: an entryway into the system, either to just stay in that easier play arena, or to perhaps one day move onto full system ASL.

What Tussle in the Tundra has done the past couple years is, offer a competitive playing venue for an SK Mini Tournament, but more importantly, a place to learn and play for several days in a row against both new and seasoned SK players. What I like about Tussle is, without doubt in my mind, it is the most relaxed and casual competitive environment that few events can match (I only know of one other, and it doesn’t quite match up fully to Tussle, in my honest opinion).

For those wondering, whether you’ve never seen and played the SK (or full ASL) system, or are perhaps just starting out; and even for those veteran full system ASLers, please allow me to share my personal story with both systems…

I bought the full system little by little, mostly a few decades ago, collecting the original rules binder and most of the modules. I would start to read Chapter A, Infantry, and get about four or five pages in and shake my head in frustration. It was just too much system for me! …and I’m a veteran wargamer in both board and miniatures with a long history. I don’t say this to scare anyone off, but I can’t be the only one. Undeterred, I added to the ASL collection, collecting a few of the newer edition modules of what I did not own, and would crack open that rulebook, and walk the other way. It had always been that system I’d get to one day… maybe.

Then came the Starter Kits and I had my first real hope of actually playing ASL, in some form. It was an exciting prospect, and still is. I can’t remember when I started collecting the whole SK system, but it was probably sometime around 2014, since my version of SK1 is the 10th Anniversary Edition. That also coincides to the start of one of the toughest professions I’d ever begun so, the dice weren’t on my side for time to learn a new system. However, I managed a couple solo games here and there, and played three in-person games in the last two years, up until this years’ Tussle. Though I’d read the rules for SK1 several times over, the acronyms and complexity drove me nuts. So much to remember! …even at the Starter Kit level.

Many veteran ASL players have been at full system so long, I’ve found them to be very supportive; but over the last year, I’ve also come to realize that SK is different enough that you need to be careful when asking advice, as so many have not really looked at the SK system rules. That’s where an event like Tussle in the Tundra comes in: the chance to figure things out with fellow newbies, as well as the more experienced players is invaluable. The side days non-tournament are key for attendance, as this is the time you can really learn the system. There are SK folks in-tournament that are willing to teach as you go, as well.

I wasn’t able to stay the whole event last year due to a family emergency, but this year I was there the whole event and it was the best money I could have spent… in attendance, I learned so much, and played four full games! I’d read half of SK2’s artillery rules before attendance, and with help from two generous opponents, figured out how to use German 88’s! And perhaps the greatest part being, I am fully kick started with a fire lit under my butt to keep playing. For me, that’s transformative… and maybe it can be for you, too. I can’t possibly recommend Tussle on the Tundra attendance highly enough.

[mikeh]

Nice recap of the Tussle Em. Glad you great time, and I understand about having enough tuna, my wife loves it and I have seen and eaten more then most people would eat in two life times.

Cool prizes and dice towers but I really like those coasters!

I see one guy that looks under 50 years old, a sign of our hobby? Age is a big topic in my medal collecting groups also so I picked up on that right away. Nice to see a lady playing.

Is there a club that puts this tournament on or just the work of some like minded people? Also you say you ate during two thirty minute periods, so no food at the tables? I see soda cans which could do more damage then a tuna sandwich could.

How many pages of rules are there for artillery and in your opinion are they over complicated? Is ASL in itself over complicated? You also made a comment about learning the system from older players and newer players, does the MMP game rules differ from the original AH rules?

OK, that's about all my questions for now! I can see where I might like the game but my overall opinion at this moment anyway is that it is just to much.

[Whiterook]

Aug 11, 2022 12:52:17 GMT -5 mikeh said:

I see one guy that looks under 50 years old, a sign of our hobby? Age is a big topic in my medal collecting groups also so I picked up on that right away. Nice to see a lady playing.

Great questions! Let me take one at a time… same as the Nor’easter ASL Tournament in March, it is typically made up of guys over 50, but you will see a few between 30-50 at both. That seems to be the typical dynamic I’m seeing. Even at the various “home clubs”, you’re looking at mostly older dudes; and sometimes, a couple players in their 20’s; and very occasionally, a teen or two that wondered into the fray and pretty much keep to themselves (as millennials typically do).

These tournaments mentioned (Tussle and Nor’easter) have been that way for as long as I have been going, which is probably about five or six years now. The main crowd is the full system ASLers (Advanced Squad Leader), and a lot of those had graduated from the old Avalon Hill “Squad Leader” series, so you’re taking 60 years just there! Others never played SL and just found there way into the system.

My take on this is, ASL is soooooooo complicated, and sooooooo specialized, even though there are large numbers world-wide, there are a small in any one metropolitan city, or even less in rural area. I assume that based on attendance at even a large tournament like Nor’easter, that will see in my off the cuff estimation, somewhere around 80 gamers… that’s covering a draw of games from most of the Northeast Atlantic States. Tussle has probably around 20, which is from a smaller number of area States. The home game clubs in my State of Massachusetts see players numbering around 10 to 20, but only a third of those at best are playing ASL.

What I’m getting at is, this is define specialty niche. I think you have to be a little bit crazy to play full system… 3” binder of rules numbering in the hundreds of pages or wicked small type and immense complexity. You gotta be a little nuts to want to play that system.


As for being a sign of the hobby, I am encouraged to see many younger men and women interested in wargaming in particular, and maybe that’s becomes of being stuck at home during the pandemic years; and maybe a bit from the US (and some other countries) being at war for so damned long in recent decades…there’s a lot of ex and current military folk that are being bitten by the wargaming bug!


And yes, I wish more women took an interest in wargaming. It’s a fascinating hobby! With current trends in gender identity and a lot of “women” looking outside traditional female roles, perhaps there something there,

[Whiterook]

Aug 11, 2022 12:52:17 GMT -5 mikeh said:

Is there a club that puts this tournament on or just the work of some like minded people? Also you say you ate during two thirty minute periods, so no food at the tables? I see soda cans which could do more damage then a tuna sandwich could.

Another good series of questions! 

For “Tussle in the Tundra”, it’s all one guy by the name of Chuck Tewksbury, who holds this year after year for the love of the game and community. Amazing, really! The tournament isn't officially connected with any ASL Chapter Group. Many of the people that attend this tournament are regulars at the “Yankee ASL Group’s, “Nor’easter tournament”, as well as a small number from the “Bunker Boys” Chuck secures prizes for the Saturday raffle from wargame companies, some stuff volunteered by interested parties, and I am sure some of Chuck!s own stock and personal funds. He secures getting a good priced hotel and blocks of rooms for attendees. 

The Yankee ASL Group (YASL)” is a Northeast chapter of ASL, hence the tournament name of “Nor!easter”. This is a fairly large tournament, with prizes donated much as above. The are probably 98% full system and the rest Starter Kit training (no tournament).

“The Bunker” is basically two guys that hold alternating weekends’ play at their homes in Western Massachusetts. You could calm them a Club.They're a pretty active bunch until the pandemic hit… the gaming is much reduced currently. They play ASL, SK, and other games.

There is also a club-ish, called the “Gaming Garage”, in Central Massachusetts, which has about 20 guys that go once a month, many playing ASL and SK, and a bunch of other games.

Theres also a gathering of gamers in Connecticut, at the Citadel, that play once a month, mostly ASL.

I’m not aware of any other clubs.


As for Tuna… I adore the stuff! I was never a seafood person, and being part Canadian is akin to heresy, so tuna was about the only seafood my mom could get down me, other than fried clams and scallops. It’s a worldwide fact that no one makes tuna sandwiches better than me!

[Whiterook]

Aug 11, 2022 12:52:17 GMT -5 mikeh said:

How many pages of rules are there for artillery and in your opinion are they over complicated? Is ASL in itself over complicated? You also made a comment about learning the system from older players and newer players, does the MMP game rules differ from the original AH rules?

OK, that's about all my questions for now! I can see where I might like the game but my overall opinion at this moment anyway is that it is just to much.

This is a complicated one! The ASL Starter Kit #2, Artillery, is a self-contained module which will let players start playing Advanced Squad Leader almost immediately. A liberally-illustrated rulebook teaches gamers ASL using a conversational style to teach the concepts of ASL. If you own and play ASL Starter Kit #1 you will be pleasantly surprised to find how easy it is to spot the new rules ASLSK#2…

…this is the important part: MMP highlights the new stuff in Salmon color, so it’s easy to spot. SK2 is basically a copy of SK1’s Infantry rules (with slightly altered text and errata added in). So the rulebook went from 12 pages long in SK1; to SK2 adding about 4 pages of rules to build in artillery rules. The SK2 book is actually 20 pages, but a lot of the extra few pages worth are big illustrations of game play and small game aids.

the neat thing about that is, with the highlighted the new rules added in, you can theoretically skip rereading what you've learned in ASLSK#1 and get right to the new rules!

What does ASLSK#2 add? GUNS! Artillery pieces. Anti-tank guns. The famous and deadly German "88". Mortars and bazookas! ASLSK#2 adds the "to hit" procedure to the foundation you learned in ASLSK#1. And if you didn't get ASLSK#1? There are two "infantry only" scenarios to get you up to speed!

This answers the inevitable question MMP gets with the Starter Kit concept… “Do I need ASLSK#2 if I have ASLSK#1?” The Starter Kits are self contained. Each has everything you need to play what's in the box, with the higher numbers adding to the ASL knowledge you'll have from playing previous Starter Kits. A better question would be "Do I need ASLSK#1 if I buy ASLSK#2?". The short answer is a resounding no! You can dive right in with ASLSK#2. But if you do, and you like the game, ASLSK#1 adds more boards and scenarios (infantry only) for you to enjoy.


As for, “is the system over complicated?” Yes, but no. It’s light years easier than full system ASL!!! The mechanics have been streamlined, and a little simplification goes a long way in ASL. Starter Kits to me, are like the next level up from Lock ‘N Load Tactical and Panzergrenadier in complexity; but only a little from PG. and not as rules intensive as LNLT.

SK takes a major investment of time to learn, mostly because of all the acronyms and what I would say is a more complicated and convoluted Sequence of Play than the other games mentioned… but once learned, the system reveals its robustness that truly, blow the other two games away. As much as I love to hate this system, I would say that if you consider yourself a serious wargamer (which I do of you) an you’re a WWII history buff, you need to own this game! It’s worth the investment in time.

What I feel at the moment is:

• SK1, Infantry, is a bitch to learn, but once down, yiu have a lot of gaming to play.
  
• SK2, Artillery, is difficult more in learning the tactics of use, than the actual rules! Yiu Ed a firm grasp on Infantry first, in my opinion… trying to learn Infantry and Artillery at the same time is too overpowering, despite what MMP says. I like the Programmed Instruction-like approach you used to see in Squad Leader, and SK kinda channels that concept in taking it one major element (Infantry, Artillery, and Armor) at a time. If you will note, even companies like LNLP have copied the concept!

• SK3, Armor is the hardest of the concepts to grasp, but it’s basically Artillery that moves!
  

Next question: “ado the rules differ from the original?”, meaning Avalon Hill’s, Squad Leader. Yes… dramatically, though it shares similar concepts. SL was essentially a broken system, much as everyone (including me) loves it… ASL fixed all the broken bits and expanded A LOT on the ideas and designs, but at the cost of an over complicated behemoth that takes literally, a lifetime to learn. starter Kits brought things back towards the simpler Squad Leader complexity, but as the name says, “Advanced” in scope and design.

[Whiterook]

If you want the abridged version of the three previous posts: Buy the f*ing game… you may (or may not) hate it at first, but it will most certainly be worth the time and effort. And it’s only about thirty bucks a game.