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Post by mikeh on May 7, 2023 23:17:09 GMT -5
Squad Leader. The Guards Counterattack. Here I am at the half point done with 2 1/2 turns and 2 1/2 to go. Russians have first phase per turn so they have 2 full turns left. At this point the Russians have captured 2 of the 3 cement buildings they need to win. They still need to capture the triangle shaped building. The broken German squad there will try to rally as will the Soviets. Going down to the wire. I must say I am enjoying this game. After decades sitting on my shelf, thru five or six moves I brought it with me. I'm glad I did.  |
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Post by Whiterook on May 8, 2023 9:06:46 GMT -5
Not only a classic, but an amazing game all around! I have mine, as well…and interestingly, I have more desire to play this than the Advanced version! …I’m not sure why that is. …I’m also not sure of the mechanics are a bit easier than ASL, but to me, having tried the Starter Kits, it seemed easier to play back in the days I played this decades ago.
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Post by mikeh on May 8, 2023 10:24:33 GMT -5
Not only a classic, but an amazing game all around! I have mine, as well…and interestingly, I have more desire to play this than the Advanced version! …I’m not sure why that is. …I’m also not sure of the mechanics are a bit easier than ASL, but to me, having tried the Starter Kits, it seemed easier to play back in the days I played this decades ago. When I first picked up this game in the late 80's it was way over my head, now a couple decades later  and with many other types of games under my belt I found, at least with this first scenario, not that hard to get going. I also watched a 30 minute walk through on bgg to make sure I had the rules right and away I went. Germans turn now, need to move that far right German squad and leader up one hex to the right into the cement building, they are lugging around a HMG and then they can cover the whole length of the street. This scenario is going down to the wire. |
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Post by mikeh on May 9, 2023 21:16:20 GMT -5
Soviets win with one turn to spare. Good game, glad I took it off the shelf for another try.  |
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Post by Whiterook on May 10, 2023 19:36:38 GMT -5
Not only a classic, but an amazing game all around! I have mine, as well…and interestingly, I have more desire to play this than the Advanced version! …I’m not sure why that is. …I’m also not sure of the mechanics are a bit easier than ASL, but to me, having tried the Starter Kits, it seemed easier to play back in the days I played this decades ago. When I first picked up this game in the late 80's it was way over my head, now a couple decades later and with many other types of games under my belt I found, at least with this first scenario, not that hard to get going. I also watched a 30 minute walk through on bgg to make sure I had the rules right and away I went. I’m right there with you on this point… I started wargaming in the early 80’s too, and my fors5 game played was Panzer Leader, which was way over my head. Not long after, I was introduced to Squad Leader and I was way way way over my head when I tried learning it…it took a long time to *get it*. Time has indeed, made us better, more knowledgeable, and more proficient in the hobby. But, doesn’t make these any less intimidating to me, when I restart a game of this caliber! Soviets win with one turn to spare. Good game, glad I took it off the shelf for another try. It’s nice to to have the time and less-stressed brainpower to dig these gems off our shelves and play them! When I was working, I was so overloaded and overwhelmed with exhaustion and stress that I couldn’t play these games at all. I enjoyed this ARR… gave me a push to consider digging it out for a try again, too! |
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Post by mikeh on May 10, 2023 23:24:20 GMT -5
Setting up for scenario 2 The Tractor Factory. This scenario teaches Satchel Charges, Flame Throwers and Smoke Rounds. Concealment also but as a solo gamer I will not worry about that.  Dig out that copy you have sitting on your shelf Em! Take a stroll down memory lane. |
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Post by Whiterook on May 13, 2023 19:44:19 GMT -5
…I quite agree! Last time I played this was with my buddy, Vic, and that was probably around 2008? He’s another fellow that will play Squad Leader, but Advanced Squad Leader he won’t touch!
Thats a strong position for thr Germans on the left, with those machine guns; but the building upper right is gonna be hell for the Allies! …are those Americans or Russians?
Have you ever bought into Lock ‘N Publishing’s squad-level games (used to be, Band of Heroes… now, Heroes of…)? I think you may have played one of my Play-by-Post games of Band of Heroes back at one of the old forums.
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Post by mikeh on May 14, 2023 12:41:19 GMT -5
They are Russians, the 9-2 leader and squad did not start where you see them at in the picture, I moved them forward for a better field of fire. They are doing quite well there too. I do need to get another picture up. This game solo's very well I would like to add.
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Post by mikeh on May 15, 2023 1:08:32 GMT -5
A total of 8 German squads, two stacks being pioneers attack the Tractor Works with satchel charges and flamethrowers. The Russians have taken a pretty good beating but still hold the factory. Both flamethrowers rolled higher then nine and are now considered out of fuel and have been removed from the game while not really inflicting many casualties. The satchel charges on the other hand worked like a charm.  |
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Post by Whiterook on May 15, 2023 17:22:03 GMT -5
Dat hel charges work amazingly well in Lock ‘N Load Publishing’s, “Band of Heroes”/“Heroes of Normandy” games, too! The trick is using them without getting shot, first, hahaha …kinda where I’ve had a problem  Don't you just love the old Avalon Hill mounted mapboards!??! …game companies complain that they are just too expensive to make, and too expensive to ship…yet, it’s what I always see folks asking for! Other than the plethora of paper maps you see today, with their nasty folds and maintenance headaches, what *passes* for “hardback” is typically some sort of card stock or chipboard at best, which a few exceptions like Academy Games and DVG, whom I’ve noted make nice, thick boards. I keep looking at your AARs and keep wanting to do a comparison between SL and ASLSK. Just on what I know, I think SL definitely beats SK, in my humble opinion; better boards and more mechanics in SL. Of course, the whole point of ASL was to “fix” the broken bits from subsequent SL modules, but at what was the cost, in over-complication? |
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and with many other types of games under my belt I found, at least with this first scenario, not that hard to get going. I also watched a 30 minute walk through on bgg to make sure I had the rules right and away I went.