Gateway war games to “lure” in new ASL(SK) players?

[mrking42]

While I’ve been learning ASLSK I’ve also been trying to get some friends/family into it that I think might be interested in learning/playing the game also, but with not much in the way of positive responses.

So I’m looking for suggestions on war games/systems that are simpler/easier to get into that might also serve to get someone to try ASL(SK).

I am only previously familiar with Panzer Leader, so I don’t have experience with any of the other many game types/systems/publishers and what they have to offer in terms of ease of play and enjoyment factor.

Being able to play on VASSAL or similar would be a plus of course.

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EDIT: Candidates

Lock ‘n Load Tactical (various) 3-4.33? (LnL)
_X_ Combat Commander (Europe|pacific) 3.25 (GMT) P500
Old School Tactical (various) 3.11 (FPG)
[Ref. Point: Panzer Leader 3.10 (AH)]
Combat Leader (DTP?) 3.00 (Minden)
_X_ Conflict of Heroes (3rd Ed. AtB) 3.00 (Academy)
_X_ Band of Brothers (ghost panzer|screaming eagles|old breed) 2.77 (Worthington) Kickstarter
_X_ Combat Infantry: WestFront 2.67 (Columbia)
_X_ Retro (tactical ww2 war game variant rules). 2.62 (Minden)
Valor & Victory (PnP, probably a no-go). 2.58 (freebie/self-published)
_X_ Memoire ‘44 2.27 (Days of Wonder)
_X_ Undaunted: Normandy 2.24 (Osprey)


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Cheers,
TK

[Neal]

Combat Commander is the first that comes to mind (since I've also played it a bit). It's a card based tactical wargame with a lot of similarities to ASL. I think of it as "Casual ASL" tho some might take exception with that. It's a great system on it's own, but would definitely give someone the flavor of all the details waiting in ASL, with a very manageable ruleset, about 20 pages.

Rules available online.

https://www.gmtgames.com/p-928-combat-c ... nting.aspx

[mrking42]

Thanks Neal for the suggestion.

I’ve updated the OP with a list (that will grow) with Combat Commander. I do like the look of the rules, but even so might be too high of a bar for the people I have in mind. Might work well as a stepping stone and I went ahead and did the p500 thing.

Cheers,

[mrking42]

Neal’s suggestion got me started on a deep journey looking for different levels of “less difficult than ASL(SK)” games to hopefully cover the different entry levels that may be required to get people into war gaming that might lead them towards ASL. I basically used the BGG site for reviews, ratings, and complexity estimates (while I’m not on board with a lot of their community “leanings”, their database is extensive and, I’m guessing, unmatched).

So I ended up acquiring “Undaunted: Normandy” and “Memoir ‘44” for the lowest level that I think I might still be interested in playing. Best case is I may be able to get my wife to play them based on some of the discussions I’ve read. Not knowing too much about CDG war games, at least I’ll get some idea if I might like how “Combat Commander” plays.

Next level up are “Retro 5th ed.”, “Combat Infantry: West Front”, and “Band of Brothers”. I won’t be getting the BoB stuff for another year because I did the kickstarter on that one for the Old Breed game. I’m excited for Retro because it appears that I will be able to use all the ASL(SK) stuff I have now (irrational FOMO purchases, anyone?) and if it’s possible to get someone to try that one and enjoy the experience, then it seems like an easier step to ASL. Combat Infantry looks interesting in that it is a block game and that may be more appealing than cardboard counters to some - plus I like the look of the block games (e.g., Commands & Colors).

Finally there is “Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear” which I got as a bundle, including solitaire pack. I have lowest expectations for “gateway” game but at least I may get something from the solo play.

I ordered the P500 of “Combat Commander: Europe”. It may end up being where I should have started, but it looks like I may not know for a while. It’s complexity puts it above “Panzer Leader” for which in my experience I had difficulty finding opponents; so I didn’t want to venture any higher in complexity for the “gateway game”.

“Lock ‘n Load Tactical” looks interesting, but I had a difficult time zeroing in on its complexity. Plus the plethora of expansions, etc. for it makes me want to avoid going down another ASL-like purchasing frenzy/FOMO rabbit-hole.

Rambling. Will report outcomes sometime in the future.

Cheers,

[minor clarifying edit]

[PT_109]

Hi, OST (Old School Tactical) might be another system to try as it's very similar to Squad Leader and actually ASL as well.

[mrking42]

Hi, OST (Old School Tactical) might be another system to try as it's very similar to Squad Leader and actually ASL as well.

Thanks, I do have OST on the candidate list, but it’s (guesstimated) complexity puts it right at Panzer Leader level. Over the years I had trouble getting takers with PL - usually receiving a “that looks too complicated” type response, with my retorts falling on deaf ears. I am focusing my efforts at lower levels of complexity and “simpler”-looking games to start.

I am interested in OST personally, however, and may check it out at some point.

Cheers,