GSASL is a new way to play Solitaire Advanced Squad Leader (SASL). Group Solitaire Advanced Squad Leader (GSASL) combines the solitaire campaign system found in Section S17 of the ASL Rulebook into a group campaign in which many people each command a Company. Battalions, Regiments, and Divisions are formed from these Companies.

How do you play GSASL?

Playing GSASL requires a player to be familiar with ASL and SASL. More details on the Rules for GSASL may be found here. You must own the ASL Rulebook, the Solitaire Advanced Squad Leader module and the ASL modules necessary to play SASL. These items are all published by The Avalon Hill Game Company, Baltimore, Maryland.

How can I enter a GSASL campaign?

Getting involved as a company commander in a GSASL campaign depends upon the availabilty of companies to command. GSASL campaigns are not always advertised to the wargaming public when they begin, though vacancies can occur as a campaign progresses. Your best bet is to email the GSASL Web Master and have your name placed on a waiting list.

It varies, but an entire GSASL campaign can take many months to play. GSASL players are given 2-4 weeks to complete their assigned GSASL mission(s) for a campaign "month" and the campaign cannot move forward until all GSASL players have played their individual missions and submitted an After Action Report (AAR) to their superiors. For example, a campaign covering Operation Barbarossa from late June - early December using two GSASL missions per game month could take a year or more if all players use all of the time alloted to them to play their missions.

How do I submit an AAR?

Your Battalion Commander will give you his email address and all of your AARs are submitted to your Battalion Commander. A form for composing your GSASL AARs is found here. This should be easy to cut-and-paste into an email message format.

Why can't the Company CO generate his own missions and mapboards?

Not even in the fantasy world of the old TV show COMBAT! did the squad/platoon pick their own ground and mission. All orders come from above. Divisional, Regimental and Battalion HQ decide what needs to be done (i.e, the missions) and they have the intellegence info and maps for the general terrain over which the missions will occur (i.e., layout of the mapboards). It is not until the Company CO reaches his mission area that he knows things like the city has been blown to bits and is on fire, the stream is flooded and, hey, isn't there supposed to be a bridge there? You get the idea. You receive the orders and carry them out. You have no choice, it's your job.  The one exception to this rule is that the Company CO may generate his own mapboards when any mapboards are activated during a mission.  In this instance, playability is valued more than the protocol of command. 

What if I have problems finishing a mission, will be away from the game for an extended period of time or just want to quit?

We hope that this does not happen, but most ASL players have lives outside of ASL. If these kind of situations arise, tell your Battalion Commander IMMEDIATELY! If the absence is temporary, your place in the campaign will be held for you. If an absence will be temporary, but for a longer period of time, another player may sub in his own company in your place temporarily. If the player wants to quit, he will be replaced and his place in the campaign lost, though all SASL players will be encouraged to come back and participate at a later date as their time allows.
 
 

Again, we hope that this does not happen, but try to resolve things between yourselves first. If problems persist, contact the Campaign Master with detailed email outlining the problem and he will attempt to resolve it. Keep in mind that this is, after all, just a game. Try to keep a good attitude and have fun!

How long will I be on the "waiting list"?

Waiting time will vary and is strictly dependent upon the number of drop-outs in the main campaign.  Usually, there are at least one or two drop-outs after each GSASL mission, so there is always expected to be a few "promotions" with the close of each mission.  For example, the campaign with the German 29th Motorized Division started out with 24 players.  Five more slots of the Division's recon were added for overflow, then an additional 12 slots of "Division Reserves".  Finally, interest became so great a "Training Cadre"--a true "waiting list" was added to maintain players' names and email addresses.  Normal progression of "promotion" (usually on a first-come-first-served basis) dictates being placed into the "Training Cadre", then moved into "Division Reserves" and then into the regular OOB structure.  All players receive GSASL mission orders except those in the "Training Cadre".  One caveat:  Long-time GSASL players who have requested "R & R" and placement in the "Training Cadre" for a short period of time will get priority promotion to be immediately placed into open slots in the OOB.