This study investigates the small sample powers of several tests designed against ordered location alternatives in randomized block experiments. The results are intended to aid the researcher in the selection process. Toward this end the small sample powers of three classes of rank tests — tests based on ‘within-blocks’ rankings (W-tests), ‘among-b locks’ rankings (A-tests), and ‘ranking after alignment’ within blocks (RAA-tests)— are compared and contrasted with the asymptotic properties given by Pirie (1974) as well as with the empirical powers of competing parametric procedures.