[Aslml] Complete Beginner

[Leann & Sean]

Hi Charles,

CCd this to both new and old ASLMLs.

>I'm a complete newbie to ASL (something of a rarity these days I 
>believe) and will be pestering the list for questions to dumb 
>questions on a regular basis.

OK, check out the FAQ (someone will give the location though it's on 
the MMP site I think,) it has a lot of info that is great for newbies 
(and grogs.)

>First off what is the best scenario for two absolute beginners to 
>play in order to begin to get a working grasp of the rules?

On MMPs site you'll find 8 Steps to ASL and Classic ASL downloads. 
That's a pretty good way to start.

>Secondly could someone explain infantry smoke placement in simple 
>terms to me. I'm OK with the MF involved and the fact it takes place 
>in the MPh but I'm mightly confused by the "exponent" part of A24.1. 
>To me exponent means "raise to the power of" but that makes little 
>sense in the context the rule uses it since, if I'm reading it 
>correctly, only a single die is rolled and for the MMC I have 
>raising their firepower to the power of the exponent results in 
>numbers well above six. Thus MMC can always place smoke but ends its 
>MPh if it rolls a six. Is that true or have I completely 
>misunderstood?

No, the "exponent" is the smoke number, it isn't really an exponent 
at all. To place infantry smoke you must roll that number or less on 
1 die.

>Thirdly do people tend to use the IFT or IIFT? Personally I lean 
>towards the IFT at the moment due to its simplicity but if the IIFT 
>is in common use I guess we should use that.

You'll get many responses bordering on and beyond ignorant ranting. 
It's a preference, some prefer the IFT (many have it mostly or 
completely memorized) while others prefer the IIFT. There are 
arguments that each creates artificial stacking (primarily with 
German 3/5/7FP MGs) and tactics as well as arguments that each is 
more realistic. The only rule that matters is IIFT is an optional and 
both players must agree to it's use.

>Fourthly is the "cowering" rule widely enforced or do folks tend to ignore it?

Enforced, if it's not in the optional rules (Chapter E), it's not optional.
One of the great moments in ASL is watching your opponent cheer for 
his snake-eyes on your 10-3 running in the open (-2DRM) and then 
collapse as he realizes it was his long range LMG shot without leader 
direction that now missed.

Good Luck in your games, hopefully we'll meet on VASL or FtF someday.

Sean
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