The ASL Companion 4 : Le Franc Tireur

THE reference guide for understanding Advanced Squad Leader

The ASL Companion #4 is the fourth instalment of Jim Stahler’s major work dedicated to a detailed understanding of the Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) system, published by Le Franc Tireur.

This volume continues the work begun in the previous issues with Chapters 7 and 8, focusing respectively on infantry movement and infantry fire.

The ASL Companion is designed to be much more than a simple restatement of the ASL Rulebook. Jim Stahler explains the rules in a more conversational manner, puts them into practical perspective and helps players understand how and when they should be applied during play. Le Franc Tireur specifically describes the Companion as a commentary on the Rulebook, rather than a replacement for it.

CONTENTS

Chapter 7 – Movement

Chapter 7 examines the various aspects of infantry movement:

• Men on March
• Movement Phase Actions
• Movement Costs
• Hazards of Movement
• Assault Movement
• Minimum Movement
• Infantry Bypass Movement
• Dashing Across the Street
• Infantry Overrun
• Column Movement

The chapter explores movement costs, the different tactical movement options available to infantry and the decisions players must make during the Movement Phase.

Chapter 8 – Infantry Fire

Chapter 8 focuses on one of the central elements of ASL combat: infantry fire.

Topics include:

• Rifles and Machine Guns
• Infantry Fire Attacks
• Firepower Factors
• Fire Groups
• Firing Machine Guns
• The Firepower Column
• Dice Roll Modifiers
• Leadership
• Results of Fire
• Losing Leaders
• Encirclement
• Summary of Immunity
• The Infantry Fire Table
• Fire Phases
• Assault Fire
• Opportunity Fire
• Spraying Fire

This chapter covers the fundamentals of infantry fire, Fire Groups, machine-gun employment, DRM, leadership effects and the different types of infantry fire available during play.

THE APPROACH

The ASL Companion is intended as a genuine companion for ASL players.

Jim Stahler brings exceptional experience to the project. He was involved in the early playtesting of Squad Leader and ASL, worked on numerous Squad Leader and ASL modules and has written extensively about the system. His approach combines explanations, practical examples and analysis to make the rules easier to understand and apply.

For experienced players, this makes the book particularly useful when looking beyond the wording of the rules and considering the tactical implications of movement and fire decisions.

PRODUCT DETAILS

Title: The ASL Companion #4
Author: Jim Stahler
Publisher: Le Franc Tireur (LFT)
Game system: Advanced Squad Leader
Type: ASL reference guide / companion book
Language: English
Contents: Chapters 7 and 8

Important note

The ASL Companion is not a replacement for the ASL Rulebook. It is intended as a complementary work designed to make the rules easier to understand and to shed light on their practical application during play.

For ASL players looking to deepen their understanding of infantry movement and fire, The ASL Companion #4 is a valuable reference and study companion.