All posts by Derek Ritter

Post #133 – ASL Journal 17. ASL Companion #4. From the Cellar Sale. Dinant CG.

Journal 17

ASL Journal 17 is a 44-page magazine for Advanced Squad Leader featuring articles, 14 new scenarios printed on card stock, and a new 19.25” x 28” map for use with scenario J282.


ASL Journal 17 articles include:

  • View From The Box is Bill Cirillo’s intensive examination of Twilight of the Reich’s components and Scenario Specials Rules.
  • How Did The Grognard Cross The Road? The Dashing Sean Deller examines Dash and Street Fighting rules.
  • Stalin’s SS Tom Morin takes a thorough look at the NKVD and their use in ASL.
  • Pre-Combat Check: 303 La Mort de Charlemagne, 305 No Brothers, No Friends, and J282 Paths of Vengeance provide hyper-detailed examinations of these three scenarios by Sean Deller.
  • No Strategy in the Götterdämmerung by John Slotwinski offers one player’s approach to J282 Paths of Vengeance.
  • You Can’t Get There From Here by Carl Nogueira provides a thorough analysis of Roadblock use (and how to Clear them!)

ASL Journal 17 has 14 ASL scenarios:

  • J270 Streets of Rostov (Russian vs German, 24 July, 1942)
  • J271 Thor’s Hammer (German vs Russian, 15 January 1943)
  • 272 Streets of Kharkov (Russian vs German, 13 March 1943)
  • J273 Rail War (German vs Allied, 7 June 1943)
  • J274 Soon To Be Dead (British vs German, 10 February 1945)
  • J275 Banana Flambé (German vs British, 10 February 1945)
  • J276 Blood For Poppies (British vs German, 14 February 1945)
  • J277 Max Schmeling’s Right Hook (Russian vs German, 15 February 1945)
  • J278 Twilight’s Last Gleaming (German vs American, 25 February 1945)
  • J279 The End Is Nigh (German vs Pole, 13 March 1945)
  • J280 Tidying Up (German vs British, 24 March 1945)
  • J281 Tip of the Spear (German vs American, 31 March 1945)
  • J282 Paths of Vengeance (Russian vs German, 28 April 1945)
  • J283 Beast At The Bridge (German vs Russian, 29 April 1945)

ASL Companion #4

The fourth instalment of Jim Stahler’s Magnum Opus is now here.

ASL Companions 3 & 4 Combo Deal

Missed out on Companion #3? Here’s a last chance to get it before it too is OOP. When purchasing both there is an extra discount.

From the Cellar SALE

All From the Cellar Packs are on sale until the end of August for 20% off. No coupon needed!

Dinant Campaign Game:

Here are a couple of videos recapping our CG so far of Rommel’s crossing of the Meuse. The CG is still ongoing and I plan on releasing all of the log files and commentary as we go.

Projects:

I am working on a 3D printed overlay organizer. Here is a prototype for the DASL overlays. Stay tuned.

Where the Irons Crosses Grow Team Tournament Redux

I am doing a feasibility study on renewing the ‘Where the Iron Crosses Grow’ team tournament here in Kernersville NC. Because of limited space, I am considering running the event several times a year. Some of the unique features would be no entry fee, live streaming, and a team system that brackets skill levels with each other so all are welcome and can be competitive. I have purchased a small office space (would accommodate around 16 Players) that I plan on finishing into a small dedicated venue if the response from the public is strong. Located the building are several AirBnB’s, a restaurant bar , plus many local bars/breweries/food trucks within 200 feet. Stay tuned for updates.

Post #132 -Companion 3. Action Pack 22. RAACO. Puzzle #131 Solution.

ASL Companion Book 3

Available alone or with the first two books (while supplies last)

This marks the third installment of LFT’s Magnum Opus written by legen Jim Stahler on every aspect of the great game. It concludes chapter 4 and brings us all the way to chapter 7. So far LFT is making good on it’s promise of one release every 3 months.

Action Pack 22

3 new Fortenberry style maps (27a, 28a, 29a) along with 12 new scenarios (1941-1945).

Action Pack #22: A WORLD AT WAR contains:

✧ three 11˝ × 16˝ double-sided geomorphic mapboards (27a/b, 28a/b, 29a/b)

✧ 12 ASL scenarios:

• AP237 Andiamo – 6½ turns, 4 March 1941, Chakara River, near Dembecha, Ethiopia (Ethiopian vs Italian)

• AP238 Italian Crescendo – 6 turns, 28 September 1941, Petrykivka, Ukraine (Russian vs Italian)

• AP239 Buna Mission – 6½ turns, 31 December 1942, Buna Mission, Papua New Guinea (Allies vs Japanese)

• AP240 The Army It Had – 6½ turns, 1 March 1943, Sevsk, Russia (Russian vs Hungarian/RONA)

• AP241 Moreh Melee – 6½ turns, 22 March 1944, Moreh, India (Commonwealth vs Japanese)

• AP242 Seton Block – 5½ turns, 2 June 1944, Kamaing, Mogaung Valley, Burma (Chinese vs Japanese)

• AP243 Hell’s Comin’ – 6½ turns, 10 July 1944, Hauts-Vents (American vs German)

• AP244 Heavy Metal Noise – 5½ turns, 13 August 1944, Oględów, Poland (Russian vs German)

• AP245 Villains at Ville-sur-Illon – 6½ turns, 13 September 1944, Ville-sur-Illon, France (Free French vs German)

• AP246 Stumbling In Place – 6½ turns, 19 November 1944, Apweiler, Germany (American vs German)

• AP247 General’s Orders – 5½ turns, 22 December 1944, Stoumont, Belgium (American vs German)

• AP248 Black Devils of Bure – 5½ turns, 6 January 1945, Bure, Belgium (Canadian vs German)

RAACO Handibox –

After much debate regarding whether we could continue to offer the RAACO line for your storage needs, we finally reached an agreement with our European suppliers with only a slight inflationary price increase due to tariffs/shipping/US dollar. We only received 12 units total but hopefully we can continue to stock this fine product. Available empty (for you DIY 3D printers), with 64 x A5 dividers, or with the 96 custom color 3D printed inserts, the Handibox remains the Cadillac of ASL storage solutions.

Puzzle #131 Solution

It is the last German MPh. In order for the Germans to win, they must exit Panther 302 off the south edge road hex I10. What does the US player need to score a hit and a kill in hex I9 or I10 assuming the TD already has depleted APCR and no ROF. Your answer can be in fractions (eg. 7/36th TH and 11/36th TK or Shock.

Note: All hedges are Bocage. The German player is fully versed in the rules (do not count on him not taking advantage of every rule available to him). Vertex H9-H10 in too narrow to bypass.

So this was somewhat of a trick question as there is no way for the US player to score a hit on the lucky Panther if the German player is aware of Rules B9.36 & B9.521. The Panther moves to I8 (1MP), I9 (2MP) and claims the wreck TEM, I10 (2MP) and claims the wreck TEM, and offboard for the Win. Because the Panther is claiming the In-Hex TEM instead of the WA, it remains out of LOS to the US Player because it is Bocage and not a Hedge.

Post 131 – ASL Companion Chapters 3 and 4. Winter Offensive Pack 17 (2026). Puzzle 131 and solution to puzzle #130

Puzzle #131

ASL Companion Chapters 3 & 4

The newest Companion is on its way and should ship to you by the end of the month. 100 full color pages of Jim Stahler’s breakdown of the game, tactics and terrain including LOS. Please take advantage of our special promotional sale price for both the new Companion and the combo until March 1st.

As we sold out of the first instalment, we know that you may have missed your chance to get Chapters 1 and 2 so we are offering both as a package deal now as we are receiving a few dozen on the first magazine at the same time.

Chapter I – Chapters 1-4

Winter Offensive 17 – 2026

Puzzle #131

It is the last German MPh. In order for the Germans to win, they must exit Panther 302 off the south edge road hex I10. What does the US player need to score a hit and a kill in hex I9 or I10 assuming the TD already has depleted APCR and no ROF. Your answer can be in fractions (eg. 7/36th TH and 11/36th TK or Shock.

Note: All hedges are Bocage. The German player is fully versed in the rules (do not count on him not taking advantage of every rule available to him). Vertex H9-H10 in too narrow to bypass.

Solution to Puzzle #130

The Russian player thinks that barring an Improbable Hit (Final TH #of 1), he is guaranteed the victory, but little did he count on his German opponent being the sleaze heavyweight champion of the World. Before I give the answer, I want to say that I would never use this tactic against anyone, ever (except maybe George). This is because I believe it does go against the spirit of the game. That being said, here it is…

Truck moves to D5-C5-B5 at which point the ATG pivots to CA A7-B6 and declares a shot using APCR* (If no APRC then AP) at the truck in B5. The fact the LOS is clearly blocked does not prohibit the shot nor the checking of LOS as it is at the shooters discretion and eyesight what shot looks blocked to him. After stringing it which obviously shows that the shot is indeed blocked, this puts the ATG with the correct CA ready for the truck to enter A6 with either a ROF shot or an IF shot and no penalties for changing CA. At worst, this is a 4 TH and if Rate was kept, a 6 TH.

*The reason I waste an APCR shot on the woods is for an additional chance at rolling a colored 2 and keeping ROF (if I have APCR then there is a 5 in 6 chance I also kept Rate).

Post #130 – All is Well.

This has been without a doubt the most product filled and chaotic quarter I have ever seen. No fewer than 8 brand new products, then in come the tariffs, Europe declining to ship to the United States, my pre-order software giving me it’s ‘2 minute notice’ and here we are… And yet, all is well in the ASL World again.

So as a recap, here are the 8 new products released in the last 60 days…

Inor Player’s Guide – LFT

Quick 6 VIII – LCP

Journal 16 – MMP

Action Pack 20 – MMP

Action Pack 21 – MMP

Steel Fury at Zamoly I

ASL Companion – LFT/Stahler

Hazardous Movement 6

Each of these products offer a completely different ASL experience and design style. For quick scenario play without a lot of thought or rules diving, the Action Packs and Quick 6 are your go to. Getting into more complex and nuanced scenarios would be the Journal and Hazmo fare. For some great bedtime reading the Inor Player’s Guide, the Journal and of course the ASL Companion will keep you up into the wee hours. Lastly, for an immersive dive into history with all the chrome and flavor ASL has to offer and then some, Zamoly and Inor absolutely top the charts.

NB: Missing Scenario 7 from Zamoly I

A few people have noticed that scenario 7 is not included in Zamoly so just a note that Scenario 7 uses maps that will be released in Zamoly II so it is not missing at all but will be included in the next module.

Intel report:

While looking for missing copies of From the Cellar 12, I came across a few copies of the long OOP magazine Recon by Fire 2 by Heat of Battle. These may be the last issues anywhere on the planet and I am liquidating them for 30% off.

Low Stock Warning:

The following products are out of print with only a few copies left in inventory.

ASL Companion

Orsogna – Advancing Fire.

Zamoly I – Advancing Fire

Tournament Pack – Advancing Fire

Green Hell of Inor – LFT

Fight For Seoul

Le Franc Tireur 15 – LFT

Le Franc Tireur 16 – LFT

HazMo Sceraio 55 replay with Chuck Hammond

This scenario is replayed on VASL with the designer in three parts, each about an hour in length. A free give-away as part of the new HazMo VI pack, available for download on the Hazardous Movement’s webpage HERE. The scenario pits the defending US player against desperate 1945 SS as tank destroyers on both sides are eclipsed only by the insane firepower of 6-6-7’s and 6-5-8’s at close range. Throw in some HEAT, DC’s, and MG’s and it’s a miracle anyone survived.

Puzzle #130

June 1941 – It is the final Russian turn which finds the Soviet player 4 Exit CVP short for the win. If he can manage to get his Truck off the east edge he will be awarded the Order of Stalin and bragging rights at the local ASL club. After calling his wife to prophesize about his upcoming victory, his celebrations are cut short when his German opponent stops the Truck dead in it’s tracks in hex A6. The German player wins the game and loses a friend over this sleazy move that Ivan never saw coming.

The BA-6 spent a total on 1/2 MP in the AT Gun’s LOS as it entered A6 from B5. The ATG rolled a 4 (3,1) on this TH attempt and a 5 on the TK with AP. How did the ATG hit on a 4? And why will Ivan never play Fritz again.

Notes: The Road is intact and fully usable by the Truck. No hexes are Bore Sighted. Although legal, the solution is definitely not in the ‘Spirit of the Game’. Good luck with this one, it will teach you a new trick that I hope no one ever uses.

Please submit your answers to puzzle #130 for fame and no fortune in the comments

Post 129 – ASL Companion. Hazardous Movement 6. Quick 6 VIII. Zamoly Arriving. Rules Discussion with Mike McGrath

The Advanced Squad Leader Companion

the first installment of Jim Stahler’s long awaited Magnum Opus has been released. This 100 page journal is packed with history and explanations that will guide you through everything you ever wanted to know about the people, rules, and subtle nuances of the greatest game ever made. Future volumes will become available shortly.

Hazardous Movement 6

Hazmo has done it again with 10 new scenarios and a double sided mapboard. Click the link for a full description, mapboard, and a sneak peak at one the new scenarios.

Quick 6 VIII by Lone Canuck

Quick 6 Package Deal

Conversation with Mike McGrath about the new ASL Rule proposals:

Zamoly I – Arriving this week.

Actual photo of Zamoly crossing the Atlantic

The long awaited module from Advancing Fire shipped to us the 26th of November and should be arriving the first week of December. This will mark both the end of the pre-order special pricing* and the end of entries for the dice tower raffle. Thanks to everyone that made this possible and note that there are only about 30 unreserved copies of Zamoly once orders are fulfilled so if you want one, now is the time.

*If you pre-ordered but have not been able to pay due to website difficulties, rest assured that your copy will be held at the pre-order price until the end of January, 2026. Please call me anytime to make arrangements for completing your order at 336-462-4035.

Advanced Squad Leader Companion #1 by Jim Stahler – LFT

100 pages

the ASL Companion is divided into 90 chapters grouped into twelve parts, as you may see in the Comprehensive Table of Contents of the magazine.

PART I
The Many Facets of ASL

Chapter 1 Welcome to Advanced Squad Leader
Chapter 2 Warriors and Weapons
Chapter 3 The Lay of the Land
Chapter 4 The Play of the Game
Chapter 5 The Role of Fate

Chapter 1, “Welcome to Advanced Squad Leader” introduces the reader to ASL and discusses the history of the Squad Leader and ASL game systems.

The next four chapters will discuss the four main components of ASL, the pieces, the mapboards and overlays, the scenarios, and the dice. These five chapters form Part I, “The Many Facets of ASL”.

In issue # 1, you will find Chapters 1 & 2.

ASL New Rules Proposals – A conversation with Mike McGrath.

We discuss the 46 new rule suggestions by Steve Pleva and Mike McGrath as found in Journal 16. Please remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE and LIKE buttons on my Youtube channel.

Journal 16 can be ordered on my site alone and in a bundle with the 2 new Action Packs by clicking the links below…

All three at a 10% discount

Post 128. MMP Tsunami – 2 New Action Packs and a New Journal. More on Zamoly. Green Hell of Inor Back in Stock. From the Cellar 10/Task Force Faith Back in Stock.

MMP

10% discount when purchasing all 3 new products

MMP has outdone itself for ASLOK this year with 3 brand new products. Action Pack 20, Action Pack 21, and Journal 16. Our wholesale order has been placed and should be shipping to us next week. We are offering a combo deal at 10% off for all three products.

Green Hell of Inor & FTC 10:

After a crazy shipping nightmare not seen since the days of the Murmansk Convoys, we finally managed to get our hands on the long awaited LFT restock. After French refusal to ship to the USA, driving to Canada only to be turned away at the US Border customs office for missing paperwork and no assigned broker, a Canada Post workers strike, UPS has come through albeit at enormous additional cost. We are now taking orders for both LFT combos. So Task Force Faith is again available with her sister product FTC 10 (depicting the gruelling battles of the Korean Winter) in addition to Inor Player’s Guide being available again with her parent Green Hell Of Inor. Thanks to everyone who has been patiently following this saga.

FTC 10 & Task Force Faith Back in Stock

Green Hell of Inor & Inor Player’s Guide Back in Stock

Steel Fury – Zamoly I: Sneak Peak

Here is a sneak peek at some of the components in the upcoming monster from Advancing Fire. The game is still at pre-order pricing for the next couple of weeks.