Heat: Pedal to the Metal

2022

Experience the thrill of racing in Heat: Pedal to the Metal. Manage speed, select upgrades, and outmaneuver opponents to claim the championship!

60
minutes

1 - 6
player(s)

10+

Medium

About the game

Welcome to the world of ‘Heat: Pedal to the Metal’, a thrilling, high-octane board game that plunges you into the heart-pounding universe of competitive street racing. The game is set in the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles, where the nights are ruled by fearless speedsters ready to defy all odds for the pursuit of glory and respect.

The theme of the game is strongly influenced by the underground street racing culture. The narrative unfolds under the neon lights of the city, where the roar of engines and the smell of burning rubber set the stage for an immersive experience. The beautifully designed game board and pieces accurately depict the urban setting, complete with colorful race cars, detailed city streets, and dynamic race tracks.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Heat: Pedal to the Metal is an exciting board game that brings the thrill of high-speed car chases to your table. Here is a detailed list of all the components included in the game, along with their functions and interactions:

1. Game Board

This is the main surface upon which the game plays out. It depicts a cityscape with various kinds of terrain, roads, and important locations. The game board helps in determining the movement and interaction options for players.

2. Player Tokens

Each Player Token represents a player’s vehicle on the game board. The position of these tokens on the board determines the player’s current location and affects their possible actions.

3. Deck of Cards

The Deck of Cards is a crucial component that drives the game’s progression. It includes various kinds of cards like Action Cards, Event Cards, and Equipment Cards, each having different effects and uses in the game.

Action Cards allow players to perform special actions during their turn, such as speeding up, taking a shortcut, or blocking a rival.
Event Cards bring unexpected incidents and opportunities into the game, such as traffic jams, police chases, or sudden bursts of speed.
Equipment Cards represent vehicle upgrades and tools that players can use to gain advantages, like nitro boosts, smoke screens, or reinforced bumpers.

4. Dice

The Dice are used to introduce randomness into the game, influencing the outcomes of certain actions and events. Players roll dice to determine the success of their maneuvers, the movement of non-player entities, and the effects of certain cards.

5. Speed Markers

Speed Markers are used to keep track of each player’s current speed. The speed influences how far a player can move during their turn, and may affect the outcomes of certain cards and events.

6. Damage Counters

Damage Counters are used to keep track of the damage sustained by each player’s vehicle. Accumulating too much damage can hinder a player’s performance and can even result in their elimination from the game.

7. Game Manual

The Game Manual contains the rules of the game, explanations of all components, and guidance for gameplay. It is essential for understanding how to play the game and resolve any disputes that may arise.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

‘Heat: Pedal to the Metal’ is a fast-paced, competitive board game that simulates a thrilling car race. Players take on the role of daring racers, with the goal of crossing the finish line first. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game.

Step 1: Player Roles

All players in Heat: Pedal to the Metal are racers. Each player should choose a racer token to represent them on the game board. These tokens are placed at the starting line at the beginning of the game.

Step 2: Board Placement

Place the game board in the center of the playing area where it is easily accessible to all players. The board represents the race track, consisting of several lanes and special sections like ‘turbo boosts’, ‘pit stops’, and ‘hazard zones’.

Step 3: Initial Resources

Each player starts with a hand of five ‘Action’ cards. These cards are drawn from the shuffled ‘Action’ deck. Action cards provide the players with various actions they can perform on their turn, like ‘Accelerate’, ‘Decelerate’, ‘Drift’, ‘Draft’, and ‘Pit Stop’. Additionally, each player receives a ‘Gasoline’ token, representing their car’s fuel level.

Step 4: Random Elements

The ‘Event’ deck is shuffled and placed face-down next to the game board. These cards represent random events that can happen during the race, like ‘Oil Spill’, ‘Traffic Jam’, or ‘Thunderstorm’. At the beginning of each player’s turn, they reveal the top card of the ‘Event’ deck and resolve its effects.

Step 5: Starting the Game

The player who most recently had a driving lesson goes first. If there’s a tie or it’s not applicable, the youngest player goes first. The game is now ready to begin!

Remember, the aim of the game is not just speed, but also strategy. Use your action cards wisely, manage your fuel, and react quickly to the event cards to outpace your opponents and cross the finish line first.

Game flow Round and round we go

Heat: Pedal to the Metal is an exciting board game where players compete in a thrilling car race. The game is structured into multiple rounds, each consisting of several phases. The phases are as follows:

1. Selection Phase:

Draw Cards: At the beginning of each round, each player draws five cards from their deck. These cards represent various actions players can take during their turn.
Select Cards: After drawing cards, players choose three cards from their hand that they wish to play this round. The remaining cards are discarded.

2. Action Phase:

Playing Cards: Players take turns playing their selected cards face-up on the table. Each card represents a different action, such as accelerating, braking, or taking a shortcut. The player must follow the action indicated on the card.
Resolving Actions: After all players have played their cards, actions are resolved in the order they were played. This can result in a change of positions among the cars on the board.

3. End Phase:

Check for Winner: At the end of each round, players check to see if any car has crossed the finish line. If a car has crossed the finish line, the game ends and that player is the winner.
Reset: If no player has won, all cards are gathered and shuffled back into the deck, and a new round begins.

Players continue to play rounds until a player’s car crosses the finish line, at which point that player becomes the winner of Heat: Pedal to the Metal.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In Heat: Pedal to the Metal, each player’s turn is divided into three primary stages: Draw Phase, Main Phase, and End Phase. Each stage permits different actions and strategic choices that significantly impact gameplay.

1. Draw Phase:

The player begins their turn by drawing two cards from their deck. This is the only action permitted during this phase.
The cards drawn may be action cards, vehicle cards, or upgrade cards. These cards offer different strategic options during the Main Phase.

2. Main Phase:

The player may perform any of the following actions in any order:

Play a Vehicle Card: Each vehicle has unique abilities and speed values. A player may choose to play a vehicle card from their hand onto the game board.
Play an Upgrade Card: Upgrade cards enhance a player’s vehicle’s abilities or speed. They can be played on a player’s vehicle card.
Play an Action Card: Action cards provide various effects that can be used to gain an advantage or disrupt opponents’ strategies. These cards can be played directly from the player’s hand.
Discard and Draw: If a player is not satisfied with their hand, they can choose to discard one or more cards and draw the same number of cards from their deck.

The player can perform as many actions as they want, provided they have the necessary cards in their hand.

3. End Phase:

The player concludes their turn by announcing the end of their turn. Any unplayed cards remain in their hand, and play passes to the next player clockwise.
It’s important to plan ahead as any cards left in hand will be visible to all players at the end of the player’s turn. This visibility may affect other players’ strategies.

Strategically choosing which cards to play and when is essential in Heat: Pedal to the Metal. The player must consider their current position, their potential actions, and the possible actions of their opponents when determining their strategy.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

The game of ‘Heat: Pedal to the Metal’ ends when either of the following conditions are met:

The Finish Line: The first player’s car reaches the finish line. This immediately triggers the end of the game, regardless of the positions of other players.
End of Rounds: The game ends after the completion of a predetermined number of rounds if no player has reached the finish line. The number of rounds is typically decided before the start of the game.

Before proceeding to the final scoring, players must perform the following actions:

Count Fuel Tokens: Each player counts the number of fuel tokens they have left. These tokens represent the player’s ability to maintain speed and make strategic moves during the race.

Check Position: The player who has their car closest to the finish line gets bonus points. If multiple players are equally near, the bonus is divided equally.

Calculate Damage: Each player calculates the damage their car has sustained during the race. More damage results in a deduction of points.

Once these steps are completed, the victory conditions are as follows:

Reaching the Finish Line First: The player who reaches the finish line first, assuming they have enough fuel tokens to do so, is the winner of the game. If multiple players reach the finish line in the same round, the player with the most fuel tokens left wins.
Most Points at the End of Rounds: If no player has reached the finish line by the end of the predetermined number of rounds, the player with the most points – calculated from their remaining fuel tokens, position bonus, and after accounting for any damage – is declared the winner.

In case of a tie, the player who has the least amount of damage to their car is the winner. If there is still a tie, the player who started the game first wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In Heat: Pedal to the Metal, the scoring system is an integral part of the gameplay and is based on your performance throughout the race. The primary means of scoring are through crossing checkpoints, finishing the race, and achieving race objectives.

1. Crossing Checkpoints:

Every time a player’s car crosses a checkpoint, they score 5 points.
If a player is the first to cross a checkpoint, they receive an additional 2 bonus points.

2. Finishing the Race:

The first player to finish the race scores 15 points.
The second player to finish scores 10 points.
The third player scores 6 points.
All other players that finish the race score 3 points.

3. Achieving Race Objectives:

Each race has specific objectives that, if achieved, award points to the player. The points for each objective are specified on the game’s objective cards.

In the event of a tie at the end of the game, the following tie-breaking rules are applied:

The player who crossed the most checkpoints is the winner.
If there is still a tie, the player who finished the race first wins.
If a tie still persists, the player with the most completed objectives wins.
Finally, if all other tie-breakers fail to determine a winner, the game is decided by a sudden death race-off, where the first player to cross a designated checkpoint wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

The game Heat: Pedal to the Metal involves a unique blend of strategy and luck, and while the general rules are straightforward, there are a few special circumstances and exceptions to be aware of.

Special Rules

Jumping the Gun: Each player must wait for their turn before making a move. However, if a player jumps the gun and moves out of turn, that player must return their car to its original space and lose their next turn.
Shortcut Routes: Some routes on the board contain shortcuts. These can be used to get ahead faster, but they have their own risks. If a player chooses to take a shortcut, they must roll a six on the dice. If they do not, their car stays in place for that turn.
Speed Boosts: Speed boosts can be gained by landing on special spaces marked on the board. These boosts allow a player to roll two dice and move the sum of both rolls. However, if a double is rolled, the player’s car spins out and they lose their next turn.

Exceptions

First Turn Advantage: The player who goes first does not roll the dice on their first turn. Instead, they move their car directly to the first Speed Boost space.
End Game: If two players reach the finish line in the same turn, the player with the most remaining Speed Boosts wins. If they also have the same number of Speed Boosts, the player who moved first that turn wins.

Rule Clarifications

If a player lands on a space occupied by another player, the player who was there first is moved back to the nearest unoccupied space.
Shortcut routes can only be used once per game by each player.
If a player loses their next turn due to jumping the gun or spinning out from a double roll, they may not use a Speed Boost to counteract this penalty.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies for ‘Heat: Pedal to the Metal’

Timing is crucial: The key to winning in ‘Heat: Pedal to the Metal’ is timing. Always try to play your stronger cards when your opponents are less likely to counter them.
Control the Pace: Try to control the pace of the game. If you are leading, slow down the game. If you are trailing, speed up the game. This strategy can put psychological pressure on your opponents.
Card Management: Always keep track of the cards that have been played. This can give you an idea of what your opponents might play next.

Beginner Tips for ‘Heat: Pedal to the Metal’

Start by learning the basics of the game. Get familiar with the different types of cards and their abilities.
Play the game at a slow pace in the beginning. This will give you enough time to understand the game mechanics and develop your strategies.
Try to play with experienced players. This will give you a chance to learn from their strategies and improve your gameplay.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in ‘Heat: Pedal to the Metal’

Ignoring the Opponent’s Strategy: Always keep an eye on your opponent’s strategy. Ignoring it can cost you the game.
Mismanagement of Cards: Mismanaging your cards can lead to a loss. Always keep track of your cards and plan your moves accordingly.
Not Adapting to the Game: The game can change rapidly. Not adapting to these changes can put you at a disadvantage. Always be ready to adapt your strategy according to the game situation.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay in ‘Heat: Pedal to the Metal’

Practice regularly. The more you play, the better you will become at the game.
Always review your games. This will help you understand your mistakes and improve your future gameplay.
Try to predict your opponent’s moves. This can give you an edge in the game.