Episode 13: TANKS! (part 1)

Just in time for the holidays, our gift to you is our biggest episode yet. It has to be BIG because the topic is . . . TANKS! Tis the season to give TANKS and we’re right on track. We take ‘em apart and put ‘em back together to bring you better understanding of these oh-so-amazing armored fighting vehicles. There’s a lot to cover so we call in a guest armor leader, Joe, who scopes out vehicle counter symbols. Jeff then deftly breaks down tank movement rules, and Dave dispenses a wealth of knowledge about vehicle smoke dischargers.

Oh, and there’s so much more. You won’t want to bypass this one, so pour yourself a cup of cheer, gather your family and friends close and tune in to this roaring, fully-tracked adventure. You’ll go to bed with visions of turrets dancing in your head.

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ASL Extra #5: Raff's Dilemma

Once again this episode is not for everyone. It is a scenario analysis and after action report. ASL Scenario AP 29 "RAFF’S DILEMMA" (from Action Pack #4) is the chosen one for this extra episode and Rich Spilky plays a tenacious German defense against Dave’s attacking Americans. Break out boards 11 and 54, set up the pieces with us, and follow along if you wish. Or perhaps you just want to have a listen.

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Episode 12: Dalton, Part 1

We are especially excited about this episode because we hold our first phone [actually, Skype] interview. And it’s with none other than Keith Dalton from Multiman Publishing. It was really great that Keith could take time out from his busy day to talk with us. While we had to deal with some frustrating technical issues this first time out –  including an abrupt end to the conversation — we are very pleased with the result and optimistic about working out the kinks in the near future. No doubt this type of thing will become a pretty regular part of the show. We’ll chat more with Keith, as well as other ASL celebrities, players of note and other interesting guests.

Our tasty talk with Keith starts about 2.5 minutes into the show and runs for about 32 minutes. We then go back to the appetizer course for some listener mail, followed by a surprise entre from some friends in Sweden. There are the usual helpings of chatter and banter, and Dave serves up a fine dessert of History a la Sniper. It’s an ASL smorgasbord. Feast on it!

 

Show Links:

• C4 Corner Cutter from Counter Culture
• Friendly Fire scenario packs
• Triple Point Blank Fire blog
• Pavilchenko song

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ASL Extra #4: Flanking Flamethrowers

In this ASL extra Dave K plays Mike S in scenario J104 “Flanking Flamethrowers” from one of the Journals. Following the usual “Extra” format, it is a scenario analysis and after action report. Also has a mini interview with Mike at the end.

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ASL Extra #3: Prelude to Festung Brest

This episode features an analysis and after action report of Starter Kit scenario S7 “Prelude to Festung Brest”. We chose this one because it is available for FREE on the MMP website. Go and get the free scenario, set up your boards all you rookies, and follow as we try to give you some helpful playing advice. Dave T and Jeff battle each other in this one, and Dave K gets a chance to offer neutral commentary (it’s fun because you get to criticize the others).

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Episode 11: Interview with Dave Goldman

We’re very happy to be joined this time by ASL veteran David Goldman. Dave talks about his history with gaming, playing ASL, and the trials and tribulations of running the annual “ASL Open” tournament in Chicago.
We also look to see “What’s in the Box” — and it’s something you might find indispensable to your ASL collection.

And this week we sprung open the coffers and blew a wad on new equipment for the studio. We hope you enjoy the improved sound quality.

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Episode 10

We’re back to the standard format show with Episode 10. Today we cover some listener mail — which always leads to interesting discussions. Then we take a look at “What’s in the [some-kind-of-container-but-not-necessarily-a] Box.” We closely examine some oft forgotten details about Snipers. And lots more. Dave finishes up the episode with an art major’s view of some ASL box art.

Lots of fun for everyone! Dig it!

Show Links:

• C4 Corner Cutter
• Boardgame Geek
• Fear the Boot (RPG podcast)
• Dragons Landing (RPG podcast)
• Starter Kit Scenarios
• Operations Magazine
• Cold Steel Wargame Club of NE Alabama

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ASL Extra #2: Frontal Assault

Here is the episode that was intended to be the first ASL Extra. Some lost tracks were reclaimed, thanks to the miracle of putting the tracks on CD as a back up. Once again, this episode is NOT FOR EVERYONE as it is a scenario analysis and after action report. Scenario J86 “Frontal Assault” from Journal 5 is the chosen one. Dave and his friend Rick give you a pre-game and a post-game discussion straight from the heart. Please have mercy on them as they reveal their ASL shortcomings. This is not as technically clean as we’d like, but, it’s only an “extra” episode after all.

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ASL Extra #1: Village of the Damned

And now for something completely different! A scenario analysis of AP18 “Village of the Damned” from Action Pack Three. This very unique podcast is not for everyone as Dave and Jeff talk aloud as the game is set up, revealing why you should never fear them if you meet them at a tournament. They also give an after action report. This one is a little rough as it is Dave’s first effort at producing a show on his own (Jeff is the true techie). It is recommended that you get out the scenario, set up your boards and follow along. Designed as the 2nd in a series, it becomes the 1st, due to technical problems with the other bonus episode. Fate has seemed to smile upon this scenario analysis.

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Episode 9

And we’re back with an action-packed episode featuring — you guessed it — MMP’s ASL “Action Pack 4“, also known as “Normandy 1944″. Our pal Joe joins us in the broadcast foxhole as we unwrap and reveal the contents of this highly-anticipated (at least to us ASL addicts) addition to the ASL arsenal. Watch out for those “bocage” rules!

We also cover some listener comments, talk more (yes, MORE) about counter storage, ASL boxes, snipers, and lots more. It’s 81 minutes and it’s all ASL. Dig it!

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Episode 8

In this episode we interview Steve and Dan, two new ASL players (and we mean REAL NEW) to see what they think of the greatest game in the world, and get a few newbie’s questions answered. We compare ASL with Hollywood’s vision of WWII. Dave played his 1,000th game! There is some listener mail, and more discussion about counter storage. We hope you enjoy our efforts to bring you the finest in ASL entertainment!

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Episode 7

We recorded this one back in June, but didn’t want to release it too close on the heels of Episode 6.

In this Episode, we check out “What’s in the Box?” (it’s Starter Kit 3!), Dave whips out a list — which he compiled during his most recent re-reading of The Rules — of rules he forgot he knew. Jeff gives a little history lesson at the end of the show. And there’s plenty of the usual madness.

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Episode 6

This episode addresses some requests to help new ASL players. We discuss ways to find other players, what you need to buy to get started playing and how to store all that stuff. Then we cover some differences between the Starter Kits and the “full” rules, and get into a beginner’s discussion of the Defensive Fire Phase.

Here are some links to web sites we discussed:

• Board Game Geek
• VASL
• MMP’s list of differences between Starter Kits and full rules
• Plano storage solution

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Episode 5: Interview with Bob Holmstrom

In Episode 5 we interview Robert (Bob) Holmstrom, one of our favorite local ASL masters. Bob chats about his ASL history, discusses tournaments, helps us with the “What’s in the Box” segment (it’s Valor of the Guards!) and more. We hope you like it.

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Episode 4

It’s our first show since going public. We’ve had nearly a thousand listeners and have received some very positive and encouraging responses. A special “thank you” to all of you who took the time to write a comment or send us an email. Your input and support is very important to us. We love hearing from you! 

In this episode, we read some of the listener feedback. Then, in our Favorite Scenarios segment, Dave picks a battle with an extra dimension of excitement from the “Partisan” module, while Jeff continues with updates from the “Blood Reef: Tarawa” campaign (we’ll be posting pictures on this soon). Dave tells us “What’s in the Box?”, we play the ASL Quiz Show, and Dave gives an interesting history lesson. And, of course, we have lots of fun.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

As always, thanks to Penmachine.com for providing our theme music.

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Episode 3

Hurrah! We fixed the audio issues we had with episodes 1 & 2. The embedded player is now working!

Tonight we’re joined in the broadcast foxhole by our pal, Joe Pellam, who talks about his gaming history, his fascinating visits to Iwo Jima while in the Navy, and his love of ASL. A great guy, and a good friend, we’re pleased to have him as our guest.

Do you have a topic you would like to hear discussed on “The 2 Half-Squads”? Do you have an idea for a show segment? Do you know someone that would be a good guest? We’d like to hear from you! Leave us a comment here, or send an email to the2halfsquads@gmail.com

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Episode 2

Undaunted by the mistakes and problems in Episode 1, we plunge ahead for 78 thrill-packed minutes.. This time we talk about the release of the long-awaited “Valor of the Guards”. We wonder about how many ASL players there are in the world. Jeff whips out the “Top Ten” list: “Why You Should Play ASL”. Of course we play “What’s in the Box?” and discuss a favorite scenario. Then Dave reveals a short list of rules that he used to forget and gives a little WW II history lesson.

This episode includes some intro music courtesy of Penmachine.com

We had some technical problems with the audio on this episode. It will not play with an embedded player. You will have to download it. Right-click here and select to save the file.

Episode 1

Here we go with our first episode. This is our first experience with podcasting, too. We’ve scraped together some equipment, loaded up some software and popped open a couple of cool beers. We learned a lot and discovered some better ways of doing things, but rather than re-record the show, we’re publishing it as is and you can expect much better production values in future episodes.

We had some technical difficulties with the audio on this web site. If the embedded player does not work for this episode you can download this episode. Right-click here and select to save the file.