This is something a little different from me. I've been a long time ASL player and having posted the below AAR on facebook though I would also post it here (apologies in advance for the heavy ASL terminology and acronyms).
Hatten in Flames was always going to take a special place
for me in the ASL compendium. I am lucky enough to have met the designer Andrew
Rogers, and his friend, and my opponent for this game David Shannon, soon after
moving to Melbourne many years ago now.
After completing this first play (i.e. HF1) it has indeed taken
up position alongside my other all-time favourite Red Barricades.
This AAR focuses on the last moments of the game. Earlier
however, Dave asked if he could take the German defenders “to get some practice
on the defence he claimed”. Fair enough I thought, I’m partial to the Yanks
although not keen on the 6 morale (more on that later!). In picking out the OOB
I randomly chose Lt Rogers from the counter mix when looking for the 9-1 – good
omen I thought! This seemingly unlikely pick was an augury of things to come.
Dave’s defence was considered and despite early bad luck
breaking his INF gun and MMG, fought a tenacious withdrawal to hold the last 2
victory locations with just a single turn left to play. The victory conditions
call for the Yanks to take all the victory locations, or if they have a functioning
M18 surviving at game end, to take all but one.
I would say that during the game, luck swung wildly for both
sides, but mostly with Dave’s dice (his now infamous ‘Samurai’ dice – from ASL
Precision Battle Dice). More on this topic later.
My last turn saw me in a tough situation, and I decided to
focus on one of the victory locations (K5) and save one of my Hellcats in the
process. I had to have things go my way. Suffice to say, I managed to get Lt
Rogers, with 3 squads another 7-0 and a hero (created earlier) into the victory
location in the advance phase, and to knock off the defenders in a 4-1 Melee
(not H-t-H). All I had to do now was survive and fight off the counterattack in
his player turn.
Enter the Samurai dice. Germans Prep Fired into K5, 8 at +2 Leader
directed… and the roll… 1,1!! Lt Rogers and the 3 squads break, the 7-0 Pins and
the hero wounds – bloody Yank 6 Morale. From the jaws of victory … Dave poured
in more fire (ineffective this time), then assault moved his counterattack
adjacent. My defensive first/final fire ineffective. It would have been very different
if Lt Rogers’ stack had not all broken (would have had 36+ at +1 at the adjacent
troops!!). Best laid plans …
After the Advancing Fire, my Pinned 7-0 and Wounded hero
stood fast (more so than my player morale which was severely shaken). Lt Rogers
Low Crawled away in fright into the street, and I had to decide to leave the
Pinned 7-0 leader with the Hero to double my firepower for the upcoming CC –
despite the added Ambush risk.
Dave advanced into the hex and I avoided being Ambushed,
despite his -3 modifier (Concealed unit and 8-1 leader). The odds were now in
Dave’s favour, the tables turned. Consulting my Rat Pocket Chart I wondered
what the chances of surviving the H-t-H Melee that he had just declared – after
all the whole scenario came down to this last roll. The 4-1 odds had a kill# of
11, and with a -1 leader, that meant 12 to Casualty Reduce. Lucky I avoided the
Ambush I thought!
 |
| Situation at the beginning of the close combat phase ... all the action in K5 is spread out. |
 |
| Close up! |
Enter the Samurai dice. Dave rolled first… 6,6!! There was
no point withdrawing. My roll was too high. OK, now double check the numbers
and confirm a random selection is required to see who cops the Casualty Reduction!
I’m in with a chance here – despite the odds. The leader … a 1, the Hero … a 1!!
Argh!! OK – this is getting ridiculous. Now for the wound checks (+1 for the
already wounded Hero). All I need to do is have one of these 2 men survive for
the win … 1 YES! and 1!
We shook our heads then hands. What an amazing end to the
game. Thankyou Dave for being a great and gracious opponent, and to Andy for
what is so far a blast of an HASL module. I’m looking forward to HF2.
Facebook post is here (private group). If you are in Melbourne and want to play more ASL, join the facebook group or drop me a note in the comments!
