[ASLML] Similar to the J74 question but to do with SS ELR and blurry rules.

[David Reenstra]

Hello all,

Peter writes:

>
>Hi all,
>
>Simiilar to the little discussion going on about J74, I've faced a
>similar problem in 105 Going to Church.  At least similar in what I
>call a "blurry line" definition.
>
>The ELR of SS is 5 by virtue of their underlined morale.  The ELR
>stated on the SS OB is 4.  So my opponent and I think they mean that
>for all of the OB so check for errata/Q&A and find none.  Couldn't
>find any, so I play as the rule is written - they have 5 ELR (the 4 is
>probably a minor tweak for the leaders).  So I ask the question
>anyway, "do the SS MMCs have an ELR of 4?".  The response suprised me!

I'm confused.  Why would you assume that the printed ELR doesn't apply to the
entire OB?  A19.13 clearly states that a unit with an underlined ML can have an
ELR < 5.  They *typically* don't, but you should learn early that this game is
all about the Exceptions.  A19.132 states that if an SSR (not just the OB) gives
units with an underlined ML an ELR <=4, then they undergo Unit Replacement
normally.  In "Going to Church", the lower ELR is OB given, not SSR given, so
the entire OB has ELR = 4, with squads being replaced with two same class HS on
ELR failure and HS Disrupting on ELR failure.

>
>The response, after a little discussion, leads me to conclude a new
>rule.  The ELR of an OB that contains underlined morale unit takes on
>the ELR printed UNLESS there are other units in the OB that could in
>fact have the lower ELR - thereby giving the underlined morale unit
>back the 5 ELR.

Ummm, are we still playing ASL or have we strayed into some kind of "ASL with
kludge of House Rules" game?  ;)  SS units can have an ELR < 5, so there is no
need to say the lower printed ELR on the scenario card only applies to the
leaders, making the SS squads always have ELR = 5.

>
>Apparently there are other scenarios around with a lower ELR for SS
>printed on the card.  I do not know off the top of my head any, but I
>seem to recall always reading SSR clarifying the ELR situation.

Most of the ABtF scenarios come to mind.  They are all played the same way, the
units with underlined ML take on the lower printed ELR, just like the rest of
the units in the OB.  Pretty simple.

>
>The trouble with this "new rule" is it gives no clear boundary.  Do
>SMCs count as other units?  AFV?  Was it a mistake?  We can't second
>guess this so must play as the rules are printed.

Right, so why make up a HR when the rule is so clear?

>
>The rule book is very clear about underlined morale.  To me it is even
>suggestive of the idea that an SSR needs to lower underlined morale
>units ELR, and even needs to clarify if quality is lost the underlined
>morale way (splitting into HSs), or the stepping down the quality
>ladder way.

Here you've lost me again.  A19.13 states that even when a unit with underlined
ML has an OB given ELR < 5, it still always is replaced with two broken HS of
the same class.  There is no need for an SSR to state that the ELR is < 5 or
what to do when a unit with underlined ML exceeds ELR, the rules are clear.  If
the designers do want the unit to actually be replaced with a lower quality unit
(such as in ABtF), then an SSR would be required.

>
>ASL is a game of explicit definitions, and when a "vague" notion is
>thrown at us (well me anyway), I can only go by what the explicit
>definition is.  It is the only fair thing to do.

There is nothing vague in A19.13.  When you start assuming you need to make up
HR to cover perceived "gaps" in the rules, then it is time to assume it is your
perception that is flawed and to start taking a closer look at the rules or to
ask questions here.

Hope that helps,

Dave Reenstra