Episode 353: BDG, ASLOK and More

The ASLOK interviews continue with an interview with Alan Findlay of Broken Ground Design. Alan walks us through all of the amazing new products that are available. He gives us a super close up look. Thank you Alan.  Remember to volunteer to playtest the Chaco Wars scenarios for Steve Swann and Alan.  Box Art Review makes it's return featuring the art from Journal #14. We end with a brief look at a game that Bendis and Summers (they're famous) played at ASLOK. 

SHOWTIMES
0:02 MASH Parody Song (lyrics by D. Donovan, Performed by The 2 Half-Squads Singers)
3:34 Greetings 
12:00 Interview with Alan Findlay 
27:00 Contest Drawing
29:00 New Contest Announced (Entrants due by December 13)
31:50 Box Art Review
40:45 Bendis and Summers Play at ASLOK
45:05 Total Running Time
                                                    

M*A*S*H  KOREA SONG
Lyrics by Dennis Donovan, performed by The 2 Half-Squad Singers

The Forgotten War is here you see
A new venture for MMP
It’s Post World War 2, you see
The Korean War in the ‘50s

[REFRAIN]:

In Forgotten War the scene is
The UN, ROKs and Marines

Versus the KPA and the Chinese

The Chosin Few designers know

They put into it heart and Seoul

If they screwed up module 15

That they’d be in some deep kimchi

There are new rules pages
Updated Chapter H is
Included with 16 scenarios

The 4 new maps have rough terrain

Which Chapter W explains
There’s 7 brand-new counter sheets

The jet aircraft are pretty neat

Forgotten War will cost us
About one hundred dollahs
And I will take three copies if you please

I brave man once asked Perry

To tell us “When will it ship, please?”
Is it to be or not to be
Why oh why ask me?

Did you see the new box?
Papyrus font really ROKs
and you can figure the rules out with some ease.

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Episode 352: ASLOK Take Two

Hey, look what's in the mailbag! We got some letters, and we open the show with that. After a look at some cool technological advances in playing aids, Wai Wong and Jonathan Kay from Canada give us a look at ASLOK and their thoughts on all things Advanced Squad Leader.

SHOW TIMES
0:32 Banter
3:40 Letters
16:10 Latest ASL Gaming Aids
42:00 Interview with Jonathan Kay and Wai Wong
49:44 Total Running Time

LINKS

Victory Games on Youtube

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Episode 351: Wrong Way to Cincinnati

Don't take the wrong way to Cinicnnati.  ASLOK's not there!  ASLOK was near Cleveland, in Aurora,Ohio as a matter of fact. this show features two of our interviews from the tourney. The first is with Ed Beekman of the North Texas Shootout Tournament.  Ed discusses his gaming background and the Northern branch of the ASL gaming groups. And he offers a copy of "A Fistful of Scenarios Pack" as a prize. Offer ends 11/15/2024.  Dave Wiesanhahn joins us and gives us the scoop on the DC Conscripts. 

SHOW TIMES
0:02 Song "Wrong Way to Cincinnati"
3:40 Banter
16:10 Interview with Ed Beekman

25:10 What Have You Been Playing Lately?

DC Conscripts Game Day

31:00 Interview with Dave Weisenhahn

51:51 Total Running Time

LINKS
DC Cosncripts

ASL North Texas Shootout

LYRICS by Dennis Donovan

The Wrong Way, to Cincinnati

Off to Cincinnati

Went some ALSOK noobs one day

They were chomping at the bit  

and couldn’t wait to play.

Bringing ‘long ASL goodies

food and lots of beer

Till a wife she got frustrated

And said  “Listen to me Dear!”

Chorus                                  

Go to Cleveland, not Cincinnati

That’s the wrong way to go

Go to Cleveland, not Cincinnati

Re-read the directions, Joe!

Good luck, darling husband

Hope you make it there.

Don’t take the wrong, wrong way to Cincinnati

Because ASLOK’s not there.

Joe he sent a rebuff

To his wifey MaryJo

Saying, “Should we not quite make it,

I will let you know!”

 “If I make mistakes in driving,

Mary, dear,” said he,

 “Remember, it’s the map that’s bad,

Don’t lay the blame on me

Chorus                                              

Go to Cleveland, not Cincinnati...

 “We can’t seem to find ASLOK,

we must be close, you know?

Would you check on Google Maps

And tell us where to go?”

 “Head northwest from Cincinnati

look for the hall of fame.

If you can get there in a hurry

You might have time to game!”

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Episode 350: Bout That Rate of Moving Guns

Oh boy, have we got a show for you!  

Not only do we bring back our special guest from last show, Mike Ryzy, but we also give you a great opening SONG with lyrics by D. Donovan and beautiful vocals by Megan K.

But that's not all! We also present a rip roaring edition of Quiz Show/ Rules that finishes rule C10. Would you believe that we have  the usual and somewhat interesting BANTER?

Not only that, but we also provide you with a look at ASL Action Pack #18: Roads to Rangoon

SHOW TIMES
0:02 Song "All About That Rate"
3:40 Rules
40:10 Banter
47:30 What's in the Box?
1:02:20 Total Running Time

LINKS
They are in the write-up above. Look for the blue letters.

LYRICS
Because you know I'm all about that rate
'Bout that rate, no re-zid
I'm all about that rate
'Bout that rate, no cowers
I'm all about that rate
'Bout that rate, no malfing
I'm all about that rate
'Bout that rate... 

Yeah, Rate of Fire’s, in A9.2
And I can make it, make it, it’s not that hard to do            
'Cause I got that good luck, that all the guys crave
And all the right rolls in all the right phases

You’ll see my machine guns, workin' that R.O.F
You know my luck’s unreal, I just can’t make it stop
When I get lucky rate runs, I use ‘em up
By shooting up all your kill stacks from the bottom to the top

Yeah, my mentor he told me "Don't worry about the SAN"
He says, "Boys like a little more shooty in a fire fight"
You know with ordnance, guns and MGs I get rate with them all
So defeating you in two turns – won’t take very long

(Chorus)

I'm bringing shooty back                      

                        
So many shots you’ll have a heart attack.
So, when we’re playing, I know I’ll squish you flat
But I'm here to tell you...
Gonna shoot up all your kill stacks from the bottom to the top

Yeah, my mentor he told me "Don't worry about the "SAN"
He says, "Boys like a little more shooty in a fire fight"
You know I will get a one on the colored die when I roll
Yo, just letting you know my rate runs can last all year long

(Chorus x2)

Because you know I'm all about that rate
'Bout that rate, no treble
Yeah yeah... ohh... You know you like this rate... Hey...

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Episode 349: It Came in the Mail

Mike Ryzy brings the box for this show and he gives us a look inside Special Ops #12. Why Special Ops #12? Because it came in the mail. It has a new map and 4 scenarios (2 for Starter Kit), and a look at Jim Bishops article on the third die for R.O.F. 

Rule C10 finishes off the show for today. 

SHOW LINKS
Special Ops #12

SHOW TIMES
00:01 "ASL Edelweiss" Song
2:00 Much Chit Chat

12:00 Contest Winner Announced

13:00 What's in the Box?

29:00 Rules

49:43 Total Running Time

"ASL Edelweiss" Lyrics by Rich Spilky 

Performed by The 2 Half Squads Singers

A-S-L, A-S-L, Every die roll enchants me

Rule book thick, games not quick, Line of Sight is no problem

Eight on the eight is an N-M-C, Will my morale sustain me?

A-S-L, A-S-L, Special ammo forever!

A-S-L, A-S-L, Please save me from slow players!

Wind and rain, brush and grain, Each board looks lovely to me

A two is good and a twelve is bad, Yet target types perplex me

A-S-L, A-S-L, Skulking safely forever!

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you.

The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

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Episode 348: Pleva Part Two

 Sleeze Freezer! An Advanced Squad Leader parody song replay from episode 180. It relates well to the Heretical rules Sleeze Freeze rule rewrite from last episode. From part one of the Pleva interview.  This show presents part two of said interview. Enjoy!

SHOW LINKS
None today

SHOW TIMES
00:01 "Sleeze Freezer" Song
4:00 Steven Pleva Part Two

59:07 Total Running Time

"I'm a Sleeze-Freezer" by Jim Bera and Dennis Donovan (not The 2 Half Squads Singers).

Victory is only true in fairy tales,
Earned by other guys, but not by me
Luck was out to get me. That's the way it seemed.
When I play Squad Leader I get creamed

Then I saw that page About our pet peever
It's D2.3, and it's quite the find
VBMmmmmmm, it's called sleeze-freezing But its not cheating, lighten up guys

I thought "maybe I should try a different game."
Seems the more I played, the more I lost.
What's the use in tryin'? I'll get crushed a-game.
When I need a victory, I get slain.

Then I read that page, now I'm a sleeze-freezer
Not a trace of shame in my mind
VBMmmmmmmm, I'm a sleeze-freezer I'm not a cheater, lighten up guys

Aaaarg. Luck was out to get me.
Well that's the way it seemed.
Disappointment haunted all my games
But then I used that rule, now I'm a sleeze-freezer
Not a trace of shame in my mind.
Bet your boots, I'm a sleeze-freezer . . . But not a cheater, lighten up guys...

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you.

The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

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Episode 347: Positively Pleva

The marvelous Steven Pleva is our guest today. Steve is one of the better players of the game and has won many tournaments during his storied career. In part one of this interview Steven discusses the Pleva Heretical Rules and several other topics. 

We are unworthy!

SHOW TIMES
00:01 Right into the interview.
8:00 Pleva Bidding System

21:00 ASL Memories of Opponents

25:00 What Makes a Great Player pt. 1

31:00 Heretical Rules
45:14 Total Running Time

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you.

The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

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Episode 346: ASL After Midnight

ASL After Midnight! Finally an Advanced Squad Leader parody song that is about the victorious side of the game, rather than all of our wargaming foibles and faults. Donovan's game must have improved over the years. We finish off our coverage of the rules in section A with rule 26: Victory Conditions. Now you will be able to go back to all those games you  have on hold and tally up the winner of each one.  That only took us 16 years. 

Picture of Vincent Maresca's Dice Tower

SHOW LINKS
None today

SHOW TIMES
00:01 "ASL After Midnight" Song
7:00 Rules VC 

30:00 Dave's Digression

34:00 Rules VC Part 2
46:28 Total Running Time

ASL After Midnight
Lyrics by Dennis Donovan
Performed by The 2 Half Squad Singers

ASL after midnight, rolling dice till the dawn
AFVs all burning wreckage, they're gone, they're gone

I took the building 'bout 1 A.M. Rolling, rolling.
Close Combat phase skills showing again, rolling, rolling.

My squads lit up in his IR light
Its time to assault move to the right.

ASL after midnight, rolling dice till the dawn
AFVs all burning wreckage, they're gone, they're gone

Got T-34's, 1.8 inch thick steel, rolling, rolling
Ready to target a German Stug, rolling, rolling
The dice are heavy, the games at stake
Can't roll boxcars and see the MA break

ASL after midnight, rolling dice till the dawn
AFV's all burning wreckage, they're gone, they're gone

The air's electric, with Armored power, rolling, rolling
My dice are hotter, by the hour, rolling, rolling

The VC Buildings, are mine for the win
The buildings rockin' as my squads advance in

ASL after midnight, rolling dice till the dawn
AFV's all burning wreckage, they're gone, they're gone

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you.

The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

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Episode 345: Can't Explain (the Rout Rules)

It's those scary rout rules! Yes, we finally

tackle them in the rules section. They read fairly easy but require that 2 page example in the rule book.  Must be a bit challenging. 

SHOW LINKS
None today

SHOW TIMES
00:01 "Can't Explain (the Rout Rules)" Song
3:00 Bantero

16:00 Letters
25:00 Rules
58:28 Total Running Time

Can't Explain
Lyrics by Dennis Donovan
Performed by The 2 Half Squad Singers

These rules here guys

A10 point five (can't explain)

Smartest guys in the world

Yeah, any Rout Rules, yeah

Grofaz (can’t explain)

Almost grokked them once

but they (hurt my brain)

Dizzy in the head when

reading Rout rules

They’re really complex,

you know that it’s true

They give me headaches

again and again

A Gordian Knot, dude

Can’t explain

Just what they mean

Tried to decipher them dude

But haven't a clue

And they hurt my brain

(can’t explain)

Yeah, they're giving me a headache, man

(can’t retain)

A bit of help would

make me real glad

From the Rosetta Stone?

That wouldn’t be bad

I get little glimpses every

now and again

About what they mean, but

Can't explain

A single word

I’ve studied those rules

Since ‘eighty two

And still can’t explain

(wracked my brain)

Even Oppenheimer,

(can’t explain)

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you.

The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

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Episode 344: In a Bitterest Stack

Jump with us into the box and land on a brand new Bounding Fire Production called Bitterest Day. It includes a wonderful map of the Sugar Loaf Hill area on Okinawa, a sheet of counters, scenarios and more.

SHOW LINKS
None today

SHOW TIMES
00:01 "In a Stack" Song
6:00 What's in the Box?
44:30 Contest Draw and New Announced
50:28 Total Running Time

In a Stack
Lyrics by Dennis Donovan
Performed by The 2 Half Squad Singers

I have three elite squads, I'll move them in a stack.
With the 10-3 leader, now no turning back

I need two more MF's to get across the road.
I'll chance the minus two and hope I don't get hosed.

I'm moving all my guys I'll move them in a stack.
If my mentor saw this, he'd have a heart attack!

My opponent shakes his head and chokes on his coffee.
No I'm not a newbie but it sure seems like it, eh?

I'm sure I'll kick myself and catch a lot of flack.
I'll probably cry poor if my guys all get kacked.

We might get blown away by ignoring all the facts.
It's not easy moving out, when facing a kill stack

My guys will hopefully survive 20 down 2.
I need to get into the woods in hex G2.

If I look hard enough into the rule book.
Maybe I will find an out before my goose gets cooked!

Maybe the Dice Gods will cut me a little slack.
No cover anymore it's too late to turn back!

I see the turns go by the end is getting close.
Desperate times they call for desperate measures dude.
----

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The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

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Episode 343: ASL Journal 9 in the News

We hope that you enjoy the reprise of  Dennis Donovan's ASL Journal Number 9 parody song that we open with. We take a look at the Mobelwagon and Ostwind in our Armored Fighting Vehicles segment and then touch on What's in the News. What we are playing lately is scenario FB8: For Want of Crust or Crumb. If you watch on Youtube you can be among the first to see the newly framed art from Hedgerow Hell.  Or just look to the right. 

SHOW LINKS

Richard Bog's Plane Found

D-Day Commemorative Coin

D-Day Changed the Sand

Clarence Bud Anderson Passes

D-Day Map Makers

SHOW TIMES
00:01  ASL Journal Number 9 Song

3:00 Chitty Chitty Chat Chat
10:30 What Have You Been Playing Lately?
17:00 Armoured Fighting Vehicles
30:40 What's in the News
44:24 Total Running Time

ASL JOURNAL 9

Dennis Donovan - lyrics and 'singing'

Jim "MixMasterJames" Bera - audio

I took my troubles down to Gaming Fools
You know that game store that grog nard dude
I went in Sunday when he opened up at nine
‘Cuz he plays A.S.L. and, he plays it all the time.

At ASL I am a flop with it
I haven’t won a game since 2006
He did a face palm and he sighed a mighty sigh
Said what you need my boy is, ASL Journal 9

He grabbed one and rang me up and gave me a wink
He said it will improve my game in under a week
It’s got a cool CG that’s called Suicide Creek
Scenarios, and articles, still in the shrink

I stayed up reading until dawn that night
I started playing every weekday night
And when I beat my friend for the thirty-second time,
I hugged my copy of, ASL Journal 9

It’s play-tested well, they’ve worked out all of the kinks
The 2 Half Squads they did a box art RE-view I think
You'll soon be a 10-3 just like ol’ Colonel Klink
Paid one-oh-five, it’s so worth it! That's what I think!

I go to every tournament in sightI became GROFAZ almost over night
And when I cornered Chas at ASLOK twenty nine
He signed my copy of A-SL Journal 9

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Episode 342: Cirillo and Deller Return!

It is part two of our interview with Bill Cirillo and Sean Deller. The conversation about Twilight of the Reich. and a little Festung Budapest continues. Stick around after the interview to hear about the new contest we are currently running. But first enjoy, one more time, Denns Donovan's classic song about the anticipated reissue of YANKS! from episode 166.

SHOW LINKS

Twilight of the Reich at MMP

SHOW TIMES
00:01 Yanks! (Song)
4:00 Interview
49:20 Contest
54:42 Total Running Time

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Episode 341: Cirillo and Deller: They're Stellar

We are honored to have Bill Cirillo and Sean Deller join us in discussing all things Twilight of the Reich. As well as a little Festung Budapest in this two part interview. The sun is setting so you better get listening!








SHOW LINKS
Twilight of the Reich at MMP







SHOW TIMES
00:01 Right into the Interview
4:45 Creation of Twilight of the Reich

LOS Examples


41:05 Possible New Project
50:01 Total Running Time



The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you.


The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

******

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Episode 340: Rushing Berserkers with Dennis

The dashing Dennis Donovan appears once again in the Broadcast Foxhole with us and we have a roarin' berserk time. We revisit Dennis's Russian Berserkers song that originally appeared in Episode 154.  In the Box is Winter Offensive Pack #15 and our rules segment finishes the basic nationalities in such as the Axis Minors, Ethiopians, and Swedes.

SHOW LINKS

Bitterest Day at Bounding Fire

SHOW TIMES
00:01 Russian Berserkers Song
1:45 Chitty Chitty Chat Chat
13:05 What's in the Box?
36:00 Upcoming Products
39:00 Rules
1:06:55 Total Running Time

Russian Berserkers
sung to "There's a Hole in the Bucket"
lyrics by Dennis Donovan
performance by The 2 Half-Squads Singers

There’s some Russian berserkers! Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
There’s some Russian berserkers! Herr Colonel! Berserk!

Well shoot them, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm!
Well shoot them, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm shoot them!

With what shall we shoot them? Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
With what shall we shoot them? Herr Colonel! With what?

Mit der Flakvierling, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm!
Mit der Flakvierling, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm Flakvierling!

Der Flakvierling’s kaputt, Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
Der Flakvierling’s kaputt, Herr Colonel! Kaputt!

Well fix it dear Volksturm, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm!
Well fix it dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm fix it!

With what shall we fix it? Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
With what shall we fix it? Herr Colonel! With what?

With a crew, dear Volksturm, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm!
With a crew, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm, a crew!

The crew it is broken, Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
The crew it is broken! Herr Colonel, broken!

Well rally them, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm!
Well rally them, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm, rally them!

With what shall we rally them? Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
With what shall we rally them? Herr Colonel! With what?

With a Feldwebel, dear Volksturm, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm!
With a Feldwebel, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm, Feldwebel!

Der Feldwebel is busy, Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
Der Feldwebel is busy, Herr Colonel, busy!

Doing what, dear Volksturm, dear Volksturm?!?! Dear Volksturm!
Doing what, dear Volksturm? Dear Volksturm, doing what?!?!

On the radio, Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
On the radio with HQ, Herr Colonel, HQ!

And what is he saying, dear Volksturm, dear Volksturm?
And what is he saying, dear Volksturm, saying?

There’s some Russian berserkers! Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
There’s some Russian berserkers! O! HQ, Berserk!

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The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

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