Advanced Squad Leader

Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) is a wargame that simulates small unit actions (company or battalion level) in World War II. It is not simply a game, but rather a detailed game system. There are approximately 200 official scenarios, and players can create their own. Between the ASL starter kit (12 page-rulebook, $24) and a complete set (14 modules, over $800) is a wide range of possibilities. Many wargamers feel that they can play either ASL or other wargames.

There are other game systems with long histories (e.g., Star Fleet Battles), but the singular quality of ASL is its rulebook. The rules are not easy to understand and don't feel "natural" at all times but they are truly complete, are free of contradiction, and give sensible results.

The game was introduced by Avalon Hill in 1985. Today it is printed under license from Hasbro by Multi-Man Publishing, a gaming company started by Curt Schilling and his partners to preserve ASL and other Avalon Hill games.