1. ASL 101: LEARNING ADVANCED SQUAD LEADER Session 9: Mortars and Guns
with Russ Gifford

2. ASL 101: Fire Combat We’ll learn about: Using Mortars Using Guns
Goals for this Session
We’ll learn about:
Using Mortars
Using Guns
To Hit #
Modified To Hit #
Using HE

3. ASL 101: Fire Combat You will also learn Firing SW Mortars
Goals for This Session
You will also learn
Firing SW Mortars
How to fire a Gun against Infantry Targets Types
How to fire a Gun against an Armor Target

4. German Defensive Fire:
ASL 101: Fire Combat
Using Mortars
German Defensive Fire:
2-4-7 HS has a mortar behind the stone wall in M7.
Poor little HS, out numbered 3 to 1/2.

5. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Mortars
Mortars are treated as Indirect Fire, which means:
Uses ‘To Hit’ DR, but resolves on IFT Table
Uses Area Target Type, but keeps ROF!
Can use spotted fire
SW mortars:
Have no covered arc, fired by HS or Squad with no penalties (does not need a crew as with Guns)

6. ASL 101: Fire Combat German 50mm Mortar:
Only HE – and thus halved for Area Fire on IFT
High ROF!
Only 2-13 hexes
Short barrel - *
Too heavy to move easily.

7. Ideally, the mortar is better at a longer range.
ASL 101: Fire Combat
Using Mortars
German Prep Fire:
Ideally, the mortar is better at a longer range.
Look at the C3 Table!

8. ASL 101: Fire Combat Mortars have their own line on C3:
Direct Fire
Mortars have their own line on C3:
Notice the To Hit is BETTER at for Mortars!

9. The 7-4-7 in G10 declares double time (CX) – what’s that?
ASL 101: Fire Combat
Using Mortars
American Move:
The in G10 declares double time (CX) – what’s that?

10. ASL 101: Fire Combat What does declaring CX (double time) do?
Declared before moving, it gives the unit 2 extra MF.
Declared during move, it give 1 extra MF.
It stays with the unit until the end of its next movement phase, since units may not declare CX in back-to-back turns.

11. ASL 101: Fire Combat American Move:
Using Mortars
American Move:
The in G10 now (CX) and moves into the woods in H9, spending 2 MF.

12. ASL 101: Fire Combat American Move:
Using Mortars
American Move:
The in G10 now (CX) and moves into H9, spending 2 MF.
The German announces a MTR shot for Def. First Fire.

13. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Direct Fire
Mortars have their own line on C3:

14. ASL 101: Fire Combat On C3, at range 0-6, there is only 1 number
Mortars
On C3, at range 0-6, there is only 1 number
So the To Hit value is 7!
Move on to table C4:

15. ASL 101: Fire Combat C4 modifies the To Hit using Gun length & ammo:
Indirect Fire
C4 modifies the To Hit using Gun length & ammo:

16. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Mortars
On C4, there is a line for * guns, but at range 0-6, the modifier is 0
So the Modified To Hit value is 7!
Move on to table C5:

17. ASL 101: Fire Combat Chart C5 are Firer-Based DRMs:
Direct Fire
Chart C5 are Firer-Based DRMs:
SW Mortars don’t care about CA: A is NA This is Def. FFire, so no movement B

18. ASL 101: Fire Combat Chart C5 are Firer-Based DRMs:
Direct Fire
Chart C5 are Firer-Based DRMs:
Watch these notes out front. Cases C1 – C4, E, G, and L do not apply to Area Target Type!

19. ASL 101: Fire Combat Chart C5 are Firer-Based DRMs:
Direct Fire
Chart C5 are Firer-Based DRMs:
Case D: German is not pinned, F: not IF so NA Case H: SW Mortars allow Infantry use, so H is NA

20. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Mortars
On C5, net DRMs = +0
Move on to table C6:

21. ASL 101: Fire Combat Chart C6 is Target Based Modifiers
Area Fire
Chart C6 is Target Based Modifiers
Case J does not apply. (Inf. did NOT Dash.)

22. ASL 101: Fire Combat Chart C6 is Target Based Modifiers
Area Fire
Chart C6 is Target Based Modifiers
Case J3 does apply. -1 (Target is not assault moving.) The trees stop J4 . (Isn’t open ground.)

23. ASL 101: Fire Combat Chart C6 is Target Based Modifiers
Area Fire
Chart C6 is Target Based Modifiers
Case K not concealed. L doesn’t apply to Area fire. Not Bore Sighted, not Acquired, Not Hazardous.

24. ASL 101: Fire Combat Chart C6 is Target Based Modifiers
Area Fire
Chart C6 is Target Based Modifiers
Case Q: TEM does NOT apply to Area fire. There is no LOS hindrance, so no Case R.

25. ASL 101: Fire Combat On C6, -1 FFNAM = - 1 DRM
Mortars
On C6, -1 FFNAM = - 1 DRM
So the To Hit DR is 7 -1 DRM
DR =
HIT!
And the mortar retains ROF!

26. A 50 mm mortar, but it is Area Fire.
ASL 101: Fire Combat
Using Mortars
Resolving the Hit:
First what is the FP?
A 50 mm mortar, but it is Area Fire.

27. ASL 101: Fire Combat
IFT Results
Find the column with the HE equivalency of the Gun size.
But this is Area Fire.

28. ASL 101: Fire Combat
IFT Results
Divide the 6FP in half for the Area Target Type: 3FP. No 3 FP column, it drops to 2FP.

29. ASL 101: Fire Combat Woods is normally a +1 TEM, but:
Mortars and Air Bursts
Woods is normally a +1 TEM, but:
Indirect Fire vs. Infantry (or CE or OT vehicles) in woods results in Air Bursts, which are a -1 TEM!
So on the resolution on the IFT, there is a -1 DRM!

30. ASL 101: Fire Combat On the Effects DR, the German rolls 3,2 = 5
IFT Results
On the Effects DR, the German rolls 3,2 = 5
With the -1 DRM, that’s a 4, or a 1 MC!

31. ASL 101: Fire Combat Resolving the Hit:
Using Mortars
Resolving the Hit:
If the American rolls a 1,6 = 7 +1 DRM = 8 = Broken!
Remove the CX and place the DM!

32. ASL 101: Fire Combat Resolving the Hit:
Using Mortars
Resolving the Hit:
If the American rolls a 1,6 = 7 +1 DRM = 8 = Broken!
Remove the CX, flip the unit and place the DM – and -1 Acquired!

33. The HS also gets a First Fire marker – not the Mortar.
ASL 101: Fire Combat
Using Mortars
The HS also gets a First Fire marker – not the Mortar.
Why only the Half Squad?

34. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Mortar Quiz
Why don’t we place a First Fire counter on the mortar?
Can we shoot the broken unit again?
Could we fire at some other unit?

35. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Mortar Quiz
Why don’t we place a First Fire counter on the mortar?
It retains ROF and can fire again!
Can we shoot the broken unit again?
Yes, it expended 2 MF, so we get another shot.
Could we fire at some other unit?
Only if they move! This is Def First Fire Phase!

36. ASL 101: Fire Combat If the mortar now waits. Back to Movement Phase:
Using Mortars
If the mortar now waits. Back to Movement Phase:
The in I8 Assault moves to J7. Can you calculate the To Hit?

37. ASL 101: Fire Combat If the mortar now waits. Back to Movement Phase:
Using Mortars
If the mortar now waits. Back to Movement Phase:
The in I8 Assault moves to J7. Can you calculate the To Hit?

38. Mortars and Walls/Hedges
ASL 101: Fire Combat
Mortars and Walls/Hedges
Again, TEM does not count on the To Hit.
Since there is no FFNAM or FFMO (J3 and J4) the To Hit # is 7.
But again, DR = 2,3 = HIT with ROF.
Walls and hedges have their TEM reduced by 1 for Indirect Fire (mortars) so the IFT is 2 FP +0 DRM!

39. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Using Mortars
With the hit, the -1 Acquired marker shifts to the new target, and the 2 FP + 0 DRM. If the DR = 2,3 = 1MC

40. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Mortar Quiz
The passes the 1MC. Can we shoot them again?
No. It only expended 1 MF, so we can’t shoot at them
Could we fire at some other unit?
Only if they move! This is Def First Fire Phase!

41. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Using Mortars
If the final now moves into L8, and the mortar Def First Fires and rolls snake eyes, what happens?

42. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Using Mortars
DR = 1,1 is a critical hit! The attack strength is doubled, the TEM is reversed!
So the attack is
12 FP – 3 DRM !

43. ASL 101: Fire Combat What DR would make that a 1KIA?
Mortar Quiz
What DR would make that a 1KIA?
DR = 5 would become a 1 KIA!
Could this rubble the building?
No, the normal rubble rules say the Gun must be at least a 70 mm to rubble! But a possible Flame could occur.

44. 2-2-8 crew fires 75L at 7-4-7 in Stone Bldg.
ASL 101: Fire Combat
Direct Fire Guns
German Prep Fire:
2-2-8 crew fires 75L at in Stone Bldg.

45. ASL 101: Fire Combat Situation: Target Type: Infantry Distance:
Example of Direct Fire
Situation:
Target Type: Infantry
Distance:
8 hexes

46. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Direct Fire
First, use chart C3:

47. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Which number to use?
On C3, at range 7-12, there are two numbers, one black, one red – which do you use?
The Nationalities chart tells you.
Germans always use the BLACK ‘To Hit’ numbers.
Russians use RED ‘To Hit’ numbers.

48. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Direct Fire
Now, use chart C4:

49. ASL 101: Fire Combat
C4 Modifications
On C4, at range , there are no modifications unless firing SMOKE.
Above 12, the mods start:
Long (L), and Extra Long (LL) guns get help +1 (or +2 for the LL at 25 hexes!)
Short (*) guns are penalized (-1) after 12 hexes.
Some ammo have problems at longer range.

50. So right now, we have a Modified To Hit # of 7.
ASL 101: Fire Combat
Example of Direct Fire
So right now, we have a Modified To Hit # of 7.
Now check C5 and C6.

51. ASL 101: Fire Combat Chart C5 are Firer-Based DRMs:
Direct Fire
Chart C5 are Firer-Based DRMs:
This is Prep Fire, and we did not change covered arc, so none apply.

52. ASL 101: Fire Combat Modified To Hit of 7. +0 DRM Now check C6!
Example of Direct Fire
Modified To Hit of 7.
+0 DRM
Now check C6!

53. ASL 101: Fire Combat Chart C6 is about the Target – lots here!
Direct Fire
Chart C6 is about the Target – lots here!
This is Prep Fire, none of the J cases apply. Only Case Q applies: +3 for the Stone Building.

54. ASL 101: Fire Combat So: C3: Basic To Hit: 7 C4: +0
Example of Direct Fire
So:
C3: Basic To Hit: 7
C4: +0
=Modified To Hit: 7
DRMs: +3

55. ASL 101: Fire Combat Modified To Hit = 7 (C3 modified by C4).
To Hit Notes
Modified To Hit = 7 (C3 modified by C4).
DRMs to the To Hit Dice Roll = +3.
So what do I have to roll to get a hit?

56. It is a Modified To Hit # 7:
ASL 101: Fire Combat
Example of Direct Fire
It is a Modified To Hit # 7:
So to hit is 4 or less!

57. ASL 101: Fire Combat Your DR is 1,3 = 4 +3 (TEM) = 7. Now what?
To Kill Notes
Your DR is 1,3 = 4 +3 (TEM) = 7. Now what?
1: You got a Final To Hit DR of 7. That’s a HIT!
2: And, since the colored die is 1, we got ROF!!
3: We will place a -1 Acquisition marker
Since it is on Infantry, we move to the INFANTRY FIRE TABLE to resolve it.
(The IFT, or A7)

58. ASL 101: Fire Combat
To Kill Notes

59. ASL 101: Fire Combat
To Kill Notes
Find the column with the HE equivalency of the Gun size.
In this case, 75mm = 12 IFT. Roll!

60. ASL 101: Fire Combat So if you roll a 2,4 => that’s a 2 MC.
To Kill Notes
So if you roll a 2,4 => that’s a 2 MC.
(The DR on the IFT is NOT modified by the terrain – you already did that on C6 to get the hit!)
Let’s say your opponent rolls a 1,1 = + 2 MC = 4.
Drat – he passed! Anything else?
Snakes on an MC = Heat of Battle! (A15.1) He rolls: 2,3 (-1 Elite) =4. That’s a Hero!

61. ASL 101: Fire Combat So is that it? Wait – we got ROF!
Example of Direct Fire
So is that it?
Wait – we got ROF!
We get to shoot again!

62. This Time – Try Area Fire
ASL 101: Fire Combat
This Time – Try Area Fire
What are the differences with Area Fire?
Starts at 7 to Hit
Does not pay terrain price to hit
If you hit, IFT is time ½, and terrain modifies.
Area Fire does not get rate of fire.

63. ASL 101: Fire Combat So: C3: Basic To Hit: 7 C4: +0
Example of Area Fire
So:
C3: Basic To Hit: 7
C4: +0
=Modified To Hit: 7
DRMs: ?

64. ASL 101: Fire Combat Chart C5 are Firer-Based DRMs:
Area Fire
Chart C5 are Firer-Based DRMs:
This is Defensive Fire, and we did not change covered arc, so still none apply.

65. ASL 101: Fire Combat Chart C6 changes this time!
Area Fire
Chart C6 changes this time!
Terrain does NOT apply to Area Target Type! But Case N does! -1 Acquired target!

66. It is a Modified To Hit # 7:
ASL 101: Fire Combat
Example of Direct Fire
It is a Modified To Hit # 7:
+0 C5
-1 Acq
Final To Hit = 8 or less!

67. ASL 101: Fire Combat So this time, you will hit with 8 or less:
Area To Hit Notes
So this time, you will hit with 8 or less:
But if you hit, you resolve at ½ FP on IFT
You add the TEM to the IFT DR
You cannot get ROF
If you roll 4,3 = is it a hit?
If yes, which column do you use to resolve the hit?

68. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Area IFT Notes
Find the column with the HE equivalency of the Gun size.
And cut in half for area.

69. ASL 101: Fire Combat
IFT Notes
Find the column with the HE equivalency of the Gun size.
So 12 * ½ = 6 FP

70. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Area Result Notes
So we got the hit, and now we resolve it on the IFT:
What is the result of a 1,1 on the IFT?
(Since with Area Fire, have to pay Terrain DRM here, it is 2 +3 = 5.)
5 = 1 MC. If the hero rolls 4,5 – what happens?
What if the squad rolls 3,4?

71. ASL 101: Fire Combat If a hero rolls 4,5 = 9 +1 MC = 10
Answers
If a hero rolls 4,5 = 9 +1 MC = 10
(Heroes don’t break – they wound. Roll another die:
1-4 lives, but wounded. 5-6 he dies.
If the squad rolls 3,4 = 7 +1 MC = 8, they break.
We have no further fire, so trade the -1 Acq marker for a larger -2 AREA Acq marker. On to other Prep Fire!

72. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Tactics
The right way to use Guns at Infantry in a building:
If there are many DRMs, and a hit is unlikely, they use Area Target Type to ‘build up’ the acquired marker.
Once they get a -2 Acq, they switch to Infantry Target Type, and the -2 Ac balances off the +2 or +3 building TEM. And the potential for ROF when it could matter is much more important.

73. For Further Information
ASL 101: Fire Combat
For Further Information
For further information:
Read Section C2.0 to C7.0 (all) ,
in the rule book for
ADVANCED SQUAD LEADER.

74. ASL 101: Fire Combat
Coming Next Session
Well, that was a start on direct fire combat. We have more to learn!

75. ASL 101 was created by: Russell Gifford
Learning the Great Battles of the American Civil War (CD Rom learning series, 2005)
SQL Fundamentals (Workshops, 2011)
SQL Server Reporting Services (Workshops, 2011)
Infinite Campus Data Schema(Workshops, 2011)
Infinite Campus & Access (Workshops, 2011)

76. Additional Information
Advanced Squad Leader, ASL, and all artwork
© MMP, 2011
This Presentation is
© 2011 by Russell Gifford
May be used with permission
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