Test of Arms


Test of Arms is a modern-day board wargame published in 1988 by Game Designers' Workshop.

Contents

Test of Arms is a two-player tactical wargame that simulates various worldwide post-World War II conflicts. The game includes six geomorphic hex grid map sections, 480 counters, and 29 scenarios drawn from post-World War II tactical conflicts around the world.

Gameplay

The game uses the rules system from GDW's previously published wargame, Team Yankee, using a simplified version of a traditional "I Go, You Go" system. The basic rules are not complex. During each turn, the first player has several phases:
  1. List artillery targets, and roll a die to see if air units are available
  2. Attack with some or all units where they are
  3. Movement.
  4. Attack (any unit that did not fire in Phase 2
  5. Fire artillery
The second player then has the same phases to complete the current turn.

Reception

Norman Smith reviewed Test of Arms for Games International magazine, and gave it 4 stars out of 5, and stated that "Despite its generalities the game gives a good representation of its subject and may have some appeal to the players of miniatures. It also plays well solitaire."

Awards

At the 1989 Origins Awards, Test of Arms was a finalist for a Charles S. Roberts Award in the category "Best Post-World War II Board Game of 1988."

Other reviews and commentary