
- BGG rank
- BGG #15,476
- BGG rating
- 8.5
This Is Not a Test: Post-Apocalyptic Skirmish Rules
- 2 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2013

Rules assistance for VOR: The Maelstrom – Union
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
VOR: The Maelstrom – Union is an expansion for VOR: The Maelstrom released in 1999 for 2–10 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Mike Nielsen and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Secret Unit Deployment.
Leave no Man Behind! Earth is facing its most desperate hour. The Union Armed Forces, well trained and equipped with the best weapons technology can offer, have mobilized to defend their world from the sinister Neo-Soviet empire and all Maelstrom-borne threats. Orbital strikes, high-powered laser cannons and specialized missiles allow the Union to dominate a battle from a distance as their special forces squads, drones, and power-armored troops close with the enemy to deliver the decisive blow! The Union Forcebook describes the fierce and determined Union Armed Forces, providing background on the formation of the Union and describing its unparalleled military organization and weaponry. The Union Force List offers new units, drones and the Ares assault suits. This book also contains a North America Battle Terrain Table, rules for orbital strikes and deployment, and new campaign rules, including force traits.
VOR: The Maelstrom – Union supports 2–10 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for VOR: The Maelstrom – Union is 90 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 VOR: The Maelstrom – Union 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.
VOR: The Maelstrom – Union belongs to these categories: Wargame, Dice, and Miniatures. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Secret Unit Deployment. 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 VOR: The Maelstrom – Union are: Mike Nielsen. 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 VOR: The Maelstrom – Union as an expansion for VOR: The Maelstrom. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need VOR: The Maelstrom to use it. Check that your edition of VOR: The Maelstrom is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.