The Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit (ASLSK) is an introductory, simplified version of the full Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) tactical wargame system produced by Multi-Man Publishing. It is designed to help new players learn the core concepts of ASL without being overwhelmed by the full rulebook’s complexity.
The Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kits (ASLSK) offer an incredibly rewarding way for retirees to explore a mentally stimulating, historically rich, and strategically deep board game—without the overwhelming complexity of the full ASL system. Whether you enjoy World War II history, tactical strategy, or simply want a new hobby that keeps the mind active, the Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kits offer the perfect entry point.
ASL Starter Kits are designed for two player action with up to to 4 hours per scenario. The kits are of medium complexity and perfect for solitaire play.
How the Starter Kits Differ From Full Advanced Squad Leader
While Advanced Squad Leader is widely known as the most comprehensive WWII tactical board game ever made, it can also be one of the most complex. The Starter Kits, however, are designed to remove the barriers to entry by simplifying rules and focusing on gradual learning.
Each Starter Kit focuses on specific game elements:
- Starter Kit 1: Infantry-only combat
- Starter Kit 2: Infantry + Guns/Ordnance
- Starter Kit 3: Infantry + Guns + Vehicles
- Starter Kit 4: Adds the Pacific Theater (Japanese, U.S. Marines, jungle terrain)
The Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit uses streamlined rules, fewer exceptions, and smaller counter mixes, making it much easier to learn while still capturing the feel of squad-level WWII combat. Boards and most infantry counters are fully compatible with full ASL, so the Starter Kit also serves as a gentle stepping-stone into the full system.
You can count on continued expansion of the Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit products with their own Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit Historical Modules, Bonus and Expansion Packs
What are the Key Differences Between Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kits and Advanced Squad Leader?
- The first thing is Lower Cost & Commitment: No need to buy multiple modules or expansions just to start playing.
- Simplified Rules: ASLSK trims down ASL’s thousands of pages of rules into accessible, scenario-focused booklets.
- Gradual Complexity: Each Starter Kit introduces only the rules you need—infantry first, then guns, then vehicles.
- Faster Learning Curve: Perfect for beginners who want to play rather than study long rulebooks.
For retirees new to wargaming, the Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kits offer an economical and easy learning path with plenty of depth to stay engaging for years.
If you want to know more about ASL, read my article on How Can Advanced Squad Leader Inspire A Positive Retirement Hobby?.
Brief Overview Of What The Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kits Is
The Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kits are tactical WWII board games where players command small units—squads of infantry, crews, leaders, and supporting weapons—on modular hex-based maps. Each scenario recreates historical engagements, focusing on movement, positioning, firepower, morale, and smart decision-making.
Games are turn-based, but highly interactive, with players responding to each other’s actions through defensive fire, morale checks, and tactical reactions. This keeps play exciting, immersive, and mentally engaging.
Infantry, Guns, and Tanks: A Quick Overview
One of the biggest strengths of the Starter Kits is how they introduce new units step-by-step.
Infantry (Starter Kit 1)
You begin with the heart of tactical combat: squads, half-squads, leaders, and support weapons. Infantry operations teach you the fundamentals—movement, fire attacks, cover, morale, and close combat. teaches new players the basic concepts of the major Infantry and Terrain rules from Advanced Squad Leader by using an abbreviated and illustrated rulebook. The ASL Starter Kit #1 is a stand-alone game and can be played using full Advanced Squad Leader rules if desired. ASLSK #1 includes 2 8×22 Geomorphic Maps, Countersheets and 6 scenarios, and a 12-page rules booklet with plentiful color illustrations.
Support Weapons and Guns (Starter Kit 2)
Next, you learn how to handle heavier battlefield tools: machine guns, mortars, and anti-tank guns. These pieces provide long-range power and tactical variety. What does ASL Starter Kit #2 add? GUNS! Artillery pieces. Anti-tank guns. The famous and deadly German “88”. Mortars and bazookas! ASLSK#2 adds the “to hit” procedure to the foundation you learned in ASLSK#1. And if you didn’t get ASLSK#1? There are two “infantry only” scenarios to get you up to speed!
“Do I need ASLSK#1 if I buy ASLSK#2?”. The short answer is a resounding no! You can dive right in with ASLSK#2. But if you do, and you like the game, ASLSK#1 adds more boards and scenarios (infantry only) for you to enjoy. ASLSK #2 includes 2 8×22 Geomorphic Maps, Countersheets and 8 scenarios, and a 22-page rules booklet with plentiful color illustrations.
Tanks and Vehicles (Starter Kit 3)
Finally, tanks and armored vehicles enter the battlefield. This introduces armor penetration, facing, movement limitations, and combined-arms tactics. It also opens up the most cinematic battlefield moments—perfect for history enthusiasts. What does ASL Starter Kit #3 add? You get the famous and deadly German “Tiger”. The reliable “Sherman”. And the tank which won the east – the T-34. ASLSK #3 includes 3 8×22 Geomorphic Maps, Countersheets and 8 scenarios, 28-page rules booklet with plentiful color illustrations and vehicle and ordnance notes and a 12-page vehicle and ordnance notes booklet.
Pacific Theater of Operations (Starter Kit 4)
ASL Starter Kit Module #4 PTO brings ASLSK to the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO), and adds the Japanese and the United States Marine Corps to the ASLSK lineup. At the heart of this module are the rules for using the Japanese Imperial forces who fought amongst the jungle and island atolls of the Pacific in terrain completely different from the European Theater of Operations and with tactics different than their European counterparts. ASLSK #4 includes 3 8×22 Geomorphic Maps, Countersheets and 8 scenarios and a 32-page rules booklet with plentiful color illustrations and vehicle and ordnance notes.
All of the Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kits are stand alone, self-contained products and require nothing else to play it.
Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit Historical Modules
Decision at Elst
Decision at Elst (DaE) is the first Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit Historical Module and covers the battle at Elst, Holland, in September 1944 between British and German units during Operation MARKET-GARDEN. Decision at Elst contains: a 22″ x 32″ historically-accurate map of the battlefield, three countersheets with British and German infantry, tanks, and guns, and game markers, 4 historical scenarios and one Campaign Game, a 28-page ASL Starter Kit basic rules booklet, and one 20-page DaE Campaign Game rules booklet, including new rules for the steeple, offboard artillery, polder terrain, and German SS units.
The Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit Historical Modules are stand alone, self-contained products and require nothing else to play it.
Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit Expansion and Bonus Packs
Looking to expand your ASL Starter Kit options. Look no further. Its as simple as purchasing any of the available Bonus or Expansions Packs at MMP’s ASL Starter Kit page.
Unlike most Starter Kit products, the Bonus Packs and Expansion Packs are NOT STANDALONE GAMES. Ownership of ASL Starter Kits #1-#4, may be required to play all the scenarios herein.
These packs typically include new 8″x22″ geomorphic mapboards, a new set of scenarios, additional counters, a rulebook, and Vehicle and Ordnance Historical Notes. Drop by the MMP ASL Starter Kit page and check them out
Starter Kit Compatability With Advanced Squad Leader
So you want to step up from the ASL Starter Kit into ASL, and you want to know if you can use your ASL Starter Kit gear in ASL? Let’s talk about it.
What Is Compatible With ASL
- Mapboards: Starter Kit boards are fully compatible with full ASL. They are standard geomorphic ASL boards and can be used in any ASL scenario.
- Infantry & Basic Counters: Infantry counters (squads, leaders, SWs) from ASLSK use the same values and symbology as the full system.
They behave the same once you’re using full ASL rules. - Many Concepts and Core Rules: ASLSK introduces: movement, fire attacks, morale, rout, support weapons, basic line of sight
All of these translate directly into full ASL.
What Is NOT Compatible With ASL
- The Starter Kit Rulebook: The ASLSK rulebooks (SK1, SK2, SK3) do not replace or serve as a subset of the full ASL rulebook.
- Starter Kit Scenario Cards: Many SK scenarios rely on the limited SK rules set, meaning they can’t simply be played using only full ASL unless you: convert the missing rules, adjust values, or substitute counters.
- Vehicles & Ordnance Differences: SK vehicles and guns don’t have the full ASL data blocks. They can be used in full ASL only if you have the corresponding full ASL counter sheets.
If you own the Starter Kits, you can absolutely reuse the boards and infantry when moving into full ASL.
To fully play ASL, you’ll still need the ASL Rulebook and Beyond Valor. Nothing you bought in the Starter Kits becomes useless — they remain valuable as you grow into the system.
In Conclusion
The Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kits (ASLSK) offer an ideal entry point into one of the most rewarding strategy games ever created. Designed to simplify the famously deep ASL system, the Starter Kits teach the game in manageable steps—beginning with infantry combat, then adding guns, and finally vehicles. Each kit builds confidence through clear rules, engaging scenarios, and hands-on learning without overwhelming complexity.
For retirees, ASLSK is especially beneficial. The game keeps the mind active through tactical decision-making, problem-solving, and historical exploration. Scenarios are flexible in length, making it easy to enjoy at a relaxed pace—whether playing a turn each day or finishing a full scenario in an afternoon. The Starter Kits also open the door to a welcoming worldwide community, offering social connection through local clubs, conventions, and online play.
Engaging, mentally stimulating, and endlessly replayable, Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kits provide retirees with a meaningful new hobby—one that challenges the mind, sparks curiosity, and encourages new friendships, all while having a lot of fun.
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