Episode 29: Office Party

In this last episode of 2009 we decide to have a little T2HS year-end office party. Join us for some casual ASL talk with an old friend, a new friend, and a special guest. Here's an outline of our topics:

• Listener Mail
• Box Art Review
• What's In the Box
• ASL New Year Resolutions
• Quiz Show: Guns Part 2
• Movie Review: The Longest Day rebuttal & World War II in HD.

This is our longest episode to date, running about 1 hour and 48 minutes and we're trying out a more compact audio format to reduce the file size. Please let us know if you have any comments about the audio quality.

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Our New Podcast Home

Well, we're settling in nicely to our new web home. We still have a few "Extra" episodes to post and hope to get those up by this weekend.

There are some further technical issues we have to consider regarding this site and the related hosting services for the audio. Our goal is to be able to adjust these details with little -- or NO -- noticeable impact to our listeners.

Whatever goes on behind the scenes here, you can be sure

• we will always be "The 2 Half-Squads"
• our web address will always be http://www.the2halfsquads.com
• our email address will always be the2halfsquads@gmail.com
• we will continue to try to provide fun, interesting and informative content about the greatest game in the world, "Advanced Squad Leader".
  

Thanks for listening.

Roll low, and Rally well!

Dave and Jeff

The 2 Half-Squads

Episode 28: Get Thee to a Gunnery

Admit it — you LIKE playing with GUNS. The more, the better. You don’t want just one or two to choose from. You want LOTS of guns. Well, we guarantee you there is no better selection among ANY game on the planet than those available in ASL. Even the best video games pale in comparison to the bevy of beautiful, blazing artillery pieces provided in even the most basic of ASL modules. With that in mind, we present this first in a planned four-part series. Hardly comprehensive coverage, this is just a primer to the wonderful world of ASL guns. So gather your gumption and “Get thee to a Gunnery!”.

And you won’t want to miss the News Report. We have lots of goodies to talk about. We also have a double-feature of “What’s In The Box?” and Jeff reviews “The Longest Day”.



Show Links:

• West Coast Melee
• East Side Gamers
• Gamers Armory
• World War II - in HD
• Sacred Jewelery by Robin Hallett Mention “The 2 Half-Squads” in the seller notes and you’ll get your purchase beautifully gift wrapped AND Robbie will include a free gift. Each piece is hand made to order, so don’t delay.
• C4 Corner Cutter Mention “The 2 Half-Squads” when you order and receive a dollar back. It’s the “Buck-in-the-Box” promotion.

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Episode 27: Don’t Pass Me By

It’s great to have guests and do interviews, but sometimes it’s nice to get back to basics. This time it’s just the two of us and The Rule Book, hunkered down and in it deep. The main topic of this episode is Bypass Movement. It must have pained the Starter Kit designers to make the decision to leave out the bypass rules, and the introduction of bypass must be one of the top most compelling and enticing reasons to step up to Full ASL. If you don’t know anything about bypass, you’re going to learn a lot. If you already know bypass, you’re probably going to learn something new. In any case, don’t let this episode pass you by.

Of course, we also read some Listener Mail and find out “What’s In the Box”. Dave does a movie review of “Hart’s War” and Jeff imparts some of his vast knowledge of grenades. It’s Halloween, everyone, and this is one sweet treat.

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Episode 26: Round Table #1

Today we fill the broadcast foxhole to capacity and hold our first “round table” discussion. Can you guess the topic? Well, if you answered “Advanced Squad Leader”, you are absolutely correct. Joining us today are three Chicago-area ASL veterans, Louie Tokarz, Rich Spilky and Bob Holmstrom. Add to that mix ASL vet and T2HS co-host, Dave Kleinschmidt, and we have an ASL virtuoso quartet gathered for your listening pleasure. The forum is open and relaxed, and if you like sitting around talking about your favorite hobby with others of like ilk, then you’re going to like this episode a lot.

The running time for this show is nearly 90 minutes, but we only got to a small handful of the the topics we wanted to discuss. You know what that means . . . there will be more round table discussions in the future, with lots of different guests. Egad, so much to do, so little time!

If you’re looking for Listener Mail, Box Art Review, Quiz Show, History Report and other T2HS regular segments, sorry, but there was no time this time, but join us next time — which will be coming along in a short time.

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Episode 25: Mark(ing) Time

One of the benefits of producing a netcast like this one is the opportunity it gives us to interview various ASL “celebrities”. So far none of them have shown any self-awareness of that “celebrity” status, though they all most assuredly deserve the title, given the time and effort they dedicate to the hobby and — more importantly — donate to the community.

Our guest today is no exception, though his contributions to The Game are exceptional indeed. Mark Pitcavage (Dr. Mark Pitcavage, if one were to honor his PhD in history) is a name well known in ASL circles, and we were very pleased to “meet” him today for the first time to chat about our favorite topic. We think you’ll find the discussion entertaining and informative. If you’ve never visited Mark’s web site, dedicated to Advanced Squad Leader, then you’re missing out. Check it out as soon as you can at http://www.desperationmorale.com/

Yes, we are very lucky to get to talk to so many NICE gamers, any one of whom you should have no fear taking home and introducing to your mother. Oh wait. That would be a wee bit creepy.

Before we start Mark(ing) Time, though, we still make room to sift through some listener mail (of course!) and indulge in our other usual antics. Stick around. This is a good one.

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Episode 24: Get Movin’!

August was a busy month for us, especially with a fun-packed, four-day excursion to Indianapolis for GenCon. But we were still able to record a couple of fantastic T2HS (The 2 Half-Squads) episodes — the first of which we offer here for your approval.

In “Get Movin’!” we continue our series covering, in detail, the phases of the game.  And if you can’t guess which phase is covered this time you should go back to playing “Chutes ‘n Ladders”.

There’s a lot to cover, but we still carve out some time for listener mail, a quick movie review, and some other goodies.

You’re going to like this episode. How can we be so sure? . . . because it’s ASL. What's not to like?

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Episode 23: Prep School

Ah yes, we hate to say it but the end of summer break is drawing nigh (here in the Northern latitudes, anyway) and soon the kids will be back in school. With all the homework, projects, sports, and other scholastic activities monopolizing the lives of our youngsters, how are we adults to fill the empty hours? Hmmm. How about some ASL?

In this episode, we go to prep school — Prep Fire Phase school, that is. With the ASL’ers favorite cheat sheet (the trusty ASOP) in hand, we take a detailed view of every event in this first action phase of the game turn. Why do we love Prep Fire so much? Because we finally get to FIRE!

We are happy to break from our studies to talk with Matt Shostak of the Texas ASL club. You know Matt and friends of course if you’ve ever laid eyes on the excellent Banzai!! [sic] publication, a newsletter — and so much more — put together and offered for free by that honored group from the greatest state in the lower forty-eight. Did we mention they offer Banzai!! for FREE? How’s that for a sample of Texas hospitality?

Put on your thinking caps and join us!

Web Links for this show:
Texas ASL Club
The Banzai newsletter (all 50 issues in one zip file)

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Episode 22: Light ‘em Up! (LIVE)

This episode’s main topic is Fire weapons: Flame Throwers and Molotov Cocktails.

This episode was our first LIVE audience show. Thanks to technology provided by TalkShoe we were able to broadcast our audio live on the internet and were joined live by listeners. It was pretty cool. We had about twenty-five people joining us via chat and call-in. We need to work out a few kinks in the technology, but all in all it was a great experience. The Quiz Show segment with instant answers from the audience was pretty cool for those able to participate.

Note: If you were not listening “Live”, this episode may seem a bit confusing and disjointed; for that we apologize. We have a number of ideas about how to improve on this format and fully expect future Live casts to be much better. Also, it’s possible we will re-record the main segment on Flame thrower weapons and MOL’s; there was a lot of good content there that deserves proper presentation.

This episode of The 2 Half-Squads featured the music of American composer Leroy Anderson.

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Episode 21: Lighten Up!

Now that we’ve spent a couple of episodes talking about tanks, we thought it time to take a look at a lighter topic — what the lonely soldier could do to combat those nasty AFV’s. With that in mind, this installment examines the ins and outs of Light Anti Tank Weapons (aka LATW’s). Join us for an in-depth quiz show that is sure to inform and delight. So sit down, keep your hand near the buzzer . . . and Lighten Up!

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ASL Extra #9 88’s At Zon + More

Hello! This episode should have photos if you use itunes! We will also put them on the flickr side bar. This episode features Tim Klepaczyk’s Germans defending against Ron Schatz’s Americans in a Starter Kit #2 scenario called 88’s at Zon. Neutral commentary is provided by Dave and special guest Larry Schroeder provides a lively end game analysis. Don’t miss the exiting finish to this game!

Then join us for a round table discussion of ASL in general at the end of this episode. Wow! We’ll be doing a lot more of these in upcoming episodes.

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ASL Extra #8: Monty’s Gamble

Finally, another ASL Extra! The scenario featured this time is S23 MONTY’S GAMBLE from Starter Kit #3. As you have requested we are taking care of our Starter Kit listeners. Of course we hope ALL our listeners will enjoy listening to Ron Schatz and Dave analyze this one. Also included is an interview with Ron at the end. Break out board U, or pull it up from VASL and have a grand old time mocking our strategies. Oooooh-Laaaah!

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Episode 20: The Thuring Point

This time we are happy to have Lars Thuring join us via Skype from his home in Germany. Lars is a long time ASLer and one of the master-minds behind the upcoming (and FINAL) ASL module, Hakkaa Paalle!. Join us as we mercilessly throw him the really tough questions such as, “how do you pronounce ‘hakka palle’”, “do you make big money designing scenarios”, and “can you get MMP to put Dave’s name on a counter”? And lots more.

Of course, it wouldn’t be T2HS without an engrossing reading of Listener Mail. We also feature a heart-warming reunion with the contents of “What’s In the Box”. Plus there’s “Scenario Report” and a special 45 minute segment of “Box Art” Just kidding. Actually there’s NO Box Art this time. Do we hear a collective sigh of relief? Or are those whispers of despair?

Dig in and enjoy.

Show Links
C4 Corner Cutter
St. Louis ASL Tournament
Winter War books and video
Schwerpunkt #3

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Episode 19: Rally [Phase] Ho!

Dim the lights and get comfortable as we raise the curtain on another brilliant ASL drama. After some fascinating listener mail, Jeff discusses the benefit of Preparation H, after which Dave dazzles with yet another engrossing Box Art Review Oh, the humanity! We then get into the meat of the show, a dramatic dialog on the ASOP (Advanced Sequence of Play) section on the Rally Phase. Finally, Dave presents a history report on a very personal WW II hero, Cpl. Edward F. Kleinschmidt of the 12th Armored Division’s, 43rd Tank Battalion.

During intermission and after the show, join the campaign to get Dave’s name on a counter! Let’s demonstrate the power of the T2HS listening audience by emailing MMP and requesting — nay, DEMANDING! — they create a German SMC counter (no less than a 9-1) with the name “Kleinschmidt” for inclusion in the upcoming Hakka Palle module. Send an email to info@multimanpublishing.com. Don’t delay. And email often!

Show Links:
The C4 Corner Cutter
Battles Magazine
The Game Vault
Croix de Guerre
Doomed Battalions

How do you pronounce “cupola”? Leave us a comment.

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Episode 18: Tanks 2 U.

Welcome to Tanks University. Here’s our university level course on tanks. We’re happy to welcome visiting Professor of Tankology (PhT) Bob Holmstrom for a lesson on Vehicle Overrun. Strap on your thinking helmets and be prepared to take copious notes as Dr. Bob leads us through this oft-avoided — but oh, so fascinating — territory. We also discuss Platoon Movement of tanks, discuss the ASL Open, and lots more.

Show Links

C4 Corner Cutter by Counter Culture
Contact Alex Key: hobbies747@gmail.com
Le Franc-Tireur: http://www.lefranctireur.org
Schwerpunkt: http://mysite.verizon.net/resvy9ue
The Texas ASL club celebrates publication of their 50th issue of Banzai! http://texas-asl.com/

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Newbie-Do Part 1

Newbie-Do is a mini-series designed specifically for the new ASL player. In this first installment, Jeff and Joe play through two turns of Starter Kit 1’s first scenario, “Retaking Verville”. We cover victory conditions and setup, and then walk step-by-step through each phase — explaining in each event in detail as we progress. If you never played ASL before or are confused by the phases and such, grab out your Starter Kit and follow along.

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Episode 17: Monkey Business

It’s business as usual in the broadcast foxhole, which means our carefully laid plans to talk in-depth about Phases in ASL quickly fall apart amidst a lot of other monkey business. Still, we do finally get down to a good discussion of the pre-game sequence. We’ll be covering the rest of the phases (hopefully) next time. We hope you enjoy this one. Thanks for listening!

Show Guide:

• Listener feedback — We get a LOT of email. Sorry if you don’t get to yours on this show. We’re doing our best. Please keep writing!
• What’s in the Box — Another splendid offering from Schwerpunkt
• Scenario Report — What we’ve played recently
• Box Art — Egad! What can one say about it?
• ASOP: Pre-game Sequence — an in-depth look at what needs to happen before the first dice roll.

Show Links:

• Counter Culture — C4 Corner Cutter
• Schwerpunkt — Tampa Bay ASL Group
• ASL Scenario Archive — Monkey’s with Typewriters. Free Scenarios!
• Texas ASL Group — Great ASL newsletter
• Cheeta the Chimp

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ASL Extra #7: The Burial Mound

In this Extra Episode Mike Stubits plays Dave K. in AP 44 The Burial Mound. Set up your boards and follow along if you dare. Rich Spilky provides the neutral commentary in this after action report of a scenario that is on the ASL Open list. Hope you can learn something from this scenario analysis. You need boards 56, 57, and 58. Don't have all the boards? You can look them up as VASL or click here.

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Episode 16: Happy Mortars Day

It’s Spring! A time when a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of . . . mortars? Well, that’s where our thoughts have turned. It’s too early (at least here in mid-western North America) to bring out the gardening tools, so instead we celebrate the season by hauling out another handy tool — the mortar. Test your knowledge (and endurance) with our mortar quiz show.

Also in this episode:

• What’s in the Box? — it’s something from the Tampa Bay ASL group. Can you say “Schwerpunkt“?
• History — about the . . . hmm, we can’t pronounce it, so how can we type it?
• Listener Feedback
• And lots more

 

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Episode 15: Dalton, Part 2

After too long a break, we are back with the next exciting installment. And here we are very happy to announce The 2 Half-Squads t-shirts!

We can’t remember what made us think anyone would want to admit — let alone advertise — they listen to this podcast, but here they are, and to tell the truth, they’re pretty darn nice shirts. If you want one, here’s how to order.

1. Send us an email stating how many and what size(s) you want and your shipping address.
2. We’ll email you back to let you know if your shirt(s) is available.
3. Make a donation on this site ($20 for each shirt in the continental USA, $30 everywhere else).
4. We’ll email you when your shirt(s) ship.
5. Go to your front door and start watching for the mail man.

We also have a little conversation with Keith Dalton from MultiMan Publishing to see what’s up in 2009 for ASL.

There’s also a “What’s in the Box” segment, covering Action Pack 5: Eastern Front.

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ASL Extra #6: Mayhem In Manila

Join us for a great game of scenario A103 MAYHEM IN MANILA. Two excellent and well respected players give us a glimpse of their thought and strategies as Bob Holmstrom’s Japanese try to defend a stone building or two from Bob Miller’s attacking Americans. You need deluxe boards a-d to follow along (or just a good imagination, or go on VASL and look at the boards there). Addendum: Click on the link on Will’s name in the comments section. It is a link to the board set up.

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Episode 14: The Spilky Way

Happy New Year to all from The 2 Half-Squads! It’s going to be a great year for ASL, thanks in part to the efforts of our guest today, Rich Spilky. Rich is a long-time ASLer with a passion for finding better ways to play the game. And to him that means simplifying the decoding of complicated rules and complex circumstances. Available for download at the link below, Rich has created a variety of tables and charts that clearly present results for common situations that might otherwise cause lengthy and abstruse delving into The Rule Book.

So download Rich’s Player Aid Pack and read along as Rich discusses the utility of these great player aids. It’s ASL smarter, faster, better. It’s ASL The Spilky Way. (Rich Spilky’s email address is richspilky@comcast.net)

We also have a great book report from Dave, who just finished reading not one, but TWO ASL scenario builders handbooks (generously donated to us by a listener from Anchorage, Alaska). There’s also listener feedback AND we announce the soon-to-be-available T2HS t-shirts.

Oh yeah. It’s going to be a GREAT year for ASL!

Links for this episode

• Rich Spilky’s Player Aid pack
• The Official War Journal of the Philippines Historical Boardgamers Club
• Scenario Designer’s Handbook by Michael Dorosh
• Scenario Designer’s Guide by Mark Pitcavage
• Mark Pitcavage’s Desperation Morale web site
• Dave King’s C4 Corner Cutter

Jay Richardson’s excellent ASL Starter Kit tutorials, parts 1 through 5 on BoardGameGeek.com

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5

Triple Point Blank Fire

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