Test of Faith: The Arab-Israeli War of 1973 is an operational-level wargame covering the dramatic fighting between Israel and the Arab forces of Egypt and Syria during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. The fourth game in Compass Games’ Operational Scale Series (OSS), it covers both the Sinai and Golan Heights fronts and places a strong emphasis on command, equipment, operational timing, and the different capabilities of the forces involved.
On 6 October 1973, Syrian and Egyptian forces launched a coordinated surprise attack against Israel. The offensive was deliberately timed to catch the Israeli military as unprepared as possible, and its opening stages achieved considerable success.
In the Golan Heights, Syrian forces advanced against thinly spread Israeli defenders, while in the Sinai, Egyptian troops crossed the Suez Canal and established a strong defensive position along its eastern bank. Protected by an extensive surface-to-air missile network, the Egyptians prepared for the Israeli counterattack they knew would follow.
When Israel responded, its forces were confronted by determined Arab resistance and the effectiveness of modern Soviet-supplied weapons. The fighting soon developed into a demanding contest in which both sides had to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.
Test of Faith gives players the opportunity to take command during this fiercely contested campaign and explore whether different operational decisions could have changed its outcome.
Test of Faith is the fourth game in the Operational Scale Series and incorporates rules additions introduced in The Doomsday Project: The Battle for Germany, including its daily-turn structure.
The OSS system uses an impulse-based approach designed to place the focus on command and equipment while giving players considerable control over the tempo of operations. Decisions over where and when to commit forces become central to the game, creating a fluid operational contest across two very different fronts.
The design also includes a detailed Order of Battle, supported by extensive research and historical narrative to provide greater context to the campaign.
Seven scenarios allow players to experience different portions of the conflict, from shorter engagements through to much larger campaigns covering the fighting in the Sinai and Golan Heights.
Recreates the Arab-Israeli War of 1973
Covers both the Sinai and Golan Heights fronts
Fourth game in Compass Games’ Operational Scale Series (OSS)
Incorporates rules additions from The Doomsday Project: The Battle for Germany
Impulse-based operational game system
Strong emphasis on command and equipment
Detailed historical Order of Battle
Israeli forces represented primarily at battalion level
Arab forces represented at regiment and brigade level
Seven scenarios
Three full-size maps covering the two principal fronts
Designed for 1–4 players
High solitaire suitability
Players: 1–4
Complexity: Medium to High
Solitaire Suitability: High
Playing Time: Approximately 2–45 hours, depending on scenario
Scenarios: 7
Time Scale: 1 Turn = 1 Day
Map Scale: 4 Kilometres per Hex
Unit Scale: Israeli Battalions and Arab Regiments/Brigades
Recommended Age: 14+
Three 22" × 34" Maps
Five 5/8" Countersheets
Two Rulebooks
Several Charts and Tables
Seven Scenarios
Two 10-Sided Dice
Two 6-Sided Dice
The opening Arab offensives overturned many expectations about the balance of power in the region. Israel was forced to recover from the initial shock, adapt to new weapons and tactics, and mount counteroffensives of its own as the battle developed.
Test of Faith: The Arab-Israeli War of 1973 recreates this rapidly changing operational situation across the deserts of Sinai and the rugged Golan Heights. With command decisions, equipment, timing, and force deployment all playing important roles, players are challenged to discover whether they can equal the historical performance of their chosen side—or change the course of the war.
Test of Faith: The Arab-Israeli War of 1973 is an operational-level wargame covering the dramatic fighting between Israel and the Arab forces of Egypt and Syria during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. The fourth game in Compass Games’ Operational Scale Series (OSS), it covers both the Sinai and Golan Heights fronts and places a strong emphasis on command, equipment, operational timing, and the different capabilities of the forces involved.
On 6 October 1973, Syrian and Egyptian forces launched a coordinated surprise attack against Israel. The offensive was deliberately timed to catch the Israeli military as unprepared as possible, and its opening stages achieved considerable success.
In the Golan Heights, Syrian forces advanced against thinly spread Israeli defenders, while in the Sinai, Egyptian troops crossed the Suez Canal and established a strong defensive position along its eastern bank. Protected by an extensive surface-to-air missile network, the Egyptians prepared for the Israeli counterattack they knew would follow.
When Israel responded, its forces were confronted by determined Arab resistance and the effectiveness of modern Soviet-supplied weapons. The fighting soon developed into a demanding contest in which both sides had to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.
Test of Faith gives players the opportunity to take command during this fiercely contested campaign and explore whether different operational decisions could have changed its outcome.
Test of Faith is the fourth game in the Operational Scale Series and incorporates rules additions introduced in The Doomsday Project: The Battle for Germany, including its daily-turn structure.
The OSS system uses an impulse-based approach designed to place the focus on command and equipment while giving players considerable control over the tempo of operations. Decisions over where and when to commit forces become central to the game, creating a fluid operational contest across two very different fronts.
The design also includes a detailed Order of Battle, supported by extensive research and historical narrative to provide greater context to the campaign.
Seven scenarios allow players to experience different portions of the conflict, from shorter engagements through to much larger campaigns covering the fighting in the Sinai and Golan Heights.
Recreates the Arab-Israeli War of 1973
Covers both the Sinai and Golan Heights fronts
Fourth game in Compass Games’ Operational Scale Series (OSS)
Incorporates rules additions from The Doomsday Project: The Battle for Germany
Impulse-based operational game system
Strong emphasis on command and equipment
Detailed historical Order of Battle
Israeli forces represented primarily at battalion level
Arab forces represented at regiment and brigade level
Seven scenarios
Three full-size maps covering the two principal fronts
Designed for 1–4 players
High solitaire suitability
Players: 1–4
Complexity: Medium to High
Solitaire Suitability: High
Playing Time: Approximately 2–45 hours, depending on scenario
Scenarios: 7
Time Scale: 1 Turn = 1 Day
Map Scale: 4 Kilometres per Hex
Unit Scale: Israeli Battalions and Arab Regiments/Brigades
Recommended Age: 14+
Three 22" × 34" Maps
Five 5/8" Countersheets
Two Rulebooks
Several Charts and Tables
Seven Scenarios
Two 10-Sided Dice
Two 6-Sided Dice
The opening Arab offensives overturned many expectations about the balance of power in the region. Israel was forced to recover from the initial shock, adapt to new weapons and tactics, and mount counteroffensives of its own as the battle developed.
Test of Faith: The Arab-Israeli War of 1973 recreates this rapidly changing operational situation across the deserts of Sinai and the rugged Golan Heights. With command decisions, equipment, timing, and force deployment all playing important roles, players are challenged to discover whether they can equal the historical performance of their chosen side—or change the course of the war.
