Advanced Squad Leader: Starter Kit #3

Overview

Advanced Squad Leader: Starter Kit #3 is the concluding entry in Multi-Man Publishing’s introductory ASL trilogy. Building on the infantry (SK#1) and ordnance/guns (SK#2) foundations, this kit introduces armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) — tanks, armored cars, and other vehicles. It includes a comprehensive 28-page rulebook and a 12-page Historical Notes reference (ASL Chapter H) for all vehicles and ordnance contained. The kit is self-contained; players need not own SK#1 or SK#2 to play.

Components

Geomorphic map boards (hex-based tactical maps)
Die-cut counters including:
- 14 U.S. tank counters (Sherman variants)
- 44 German tank and armored car counters (including 2 Tigers, 4 Panthers)
- 32 Soviet tanks (T-34s, Shermans)
- 9 British AFVs (Shermans, Stuarts)
- 4 Italian tank counters (2 vehicle types)
- Infantry squads, leaders, support weapons, gun counters
28-page rules booklet (adds ~6 pages beyond SK#2)
12-page Historical Notes (Chapter H) vehicle/ordnance reference
8 scenarios
Dice
Charts and tables

Setup

Choose a scenario. Each scenario specifies map boards, forces, setup areas, victory conditions, and special rules. Place counters per the scenario instructions. One player controls the Axis, the other the Allies. Not all scenarios use vehicles; one is infantry-only, allowing gradual introduction of vehicle rules.

Turn Structure

The standard ASL turn sequence applies (same as SK#1 and SK#2):

Rally Phase: Rally broken units; repair malfunctioned weapons; start/restart vehicle engines.
Prep Fire Phase: Stationary units fire.
Movement Phase: Move infantry and vehicles.
Defensive Fire Phase: Non-moving player fires at moving units.
Advancing Fire Phase: Units that moved fire at reduced effectiveness.
Rout Phase: Broken units rout away from enemy.
Advance Phase: Advance one hex; possible close combat entry.
Close Combat Phase: Resolve close combat.

Actions

Vehicle Movement

Vehicles have movement point allowances based on type
Vehicles spend movement points per terrain type traversed
Vehicles can use roads for faster movement (road bonus)
Vehicles have a facing direction that affects fire arc and vulnerability
Bypass movement: Vehicles can move along hex edges
Bog: Vehicles risk becoming bogged (stuck) in certain terrain

Vehicle Combat

Vehicles have armor values on four sides (front, sides, rear) and a turret
To Hit: Vehicles fire using the To Hit process (similar to gun ordnance in SK#2)
To Kill: After hitting, roll on the To Kill table comparing gun penetration to target armor
Hull Down: Vehicles behind terrain features expose only their turret, making them harder to hit
Turret: Turreted vehicles can fire in any direction; non-turreted vehicles are limited to their covered arc

Anti-Tank Combat

Infantry can attack vehicles with LATW (bazookas, PIATs, Panzerschrecks) from SK#2
Close combat against vehicles uses different procedures than infantry close combat
Molotov cocktails and other improvised anti-tank weapons are available in specific scenarios

Combined Arms

Infantry and vehicles can operate together for combined arms advantages
Tanks can provide covering fire while infantry advances
Infantry protects vehicles from enemy close assault

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory conditions are scenario-specific and typically involve:

Controlling key map locations (buildings, hills, crossroads)
Destroying a specified number of enemy units or vehicles
Exiting units off map edges
Holding positions for a set number of turns

Scenarios cover actions in Crete 1941, Hungary 1944, Lithuania 1941, Sicily 1943, Arnhem 1944, Soviet Union 1943-44, and France 1944.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

Vehicles can be immobilized by hits that don’t destroy them
Crew survival: destroyed vehicle crews may bail out as half-squads
Vehicle wrecks remain on the map and affect line of sight and movement
One scenario is all-AFV (no infantry), testing pure vehicle tactics
The rules are fully upwardly compatible with full Advanced Squad Leader
Vehicles that start with engines off must spend time starting them
Smoke dispensers on some vehicles provide tactical concealment
Motion status vs. non-motion: vehicles in motion are harder to hit but fire less accurately

Player Reference

Vehicle Combat Sequence

Declare target and firing unit
Determine range and modifiers
Roll To Hit (modified by range, target size, motion, terrain)
If hit: Roll To Kill (compare penetration vs. armor)
Results: Destroyed, Immobilized, Shock, or No Effect

Armor Facing

Key Vehicle Types