- BGG rank
- BGG #18,198
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Team Yankee
- 2 players
- 360 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 1987
- BGG rank
- BGG #18,913
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Test of Arms
1988
Rules assistance for Test of Arms
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 120 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.2/5
Rules assistant for Test of Arms
For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Test of Arms is a board game released in 1988 for 2 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Frank Chadwick, Marc W. Miller, and Lester Smith and its main mechanics are Modular Board and Hexagon Grid.
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About the game
Test of Arms is part of GDW's First Battle series. It covers post-WWII tactical engagements, with scenarios for Ogaden War, the Angolan Civil War, the Korean War, Lebanese Wars, Arab-Israeli Wars, Indo-Pakistani Wars, Libya vs. Egypt, Libya vs. Chad, Indochinese Wars, the Persian Gulf War, Soviets in Afghanistan, the Contra War, the Falklands War, and the Assault on Grenada. It uses geomorphic mapboards to represent the different lands fought over. Game scale is 200 meters per hex, individual vehicles, infantry units are squads, weapons teams and individual leaders. Each game turn represents approximately 5 to 8 minutes (not specifically mentioned in the rules). Contents: - Rules Booklet - Scenario Booklet (29 Scenarios) - 2 Counter sheets (240 x 2) - 6 Geomorphic Maps (#'s 1 to 6) - 1 Campaign Map - Counter Tray with lid - 1 D6
Categories
Mechanics
Publishers
- Game Designers' Workshop (GDW Games)
Questions and answers
Test of Arms supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Test of Arms is 120 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Test of Arms for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Test of Arms has a complexity rating of 2.2 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Test of Arms belongs to these categories: Wargame, Modern Warfare, and Korean War. Its main mechanics are Modular Board and Hexagon Grid. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Test of Arms are: Frank Chadwick, Marc W. Miller, and Lester Smith. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Test of Arms as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.