Heat: Pedal to the Metal Lecture Notes

Jul 12, 2024

Heat: Pedal to the Metal - Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • Host: Rodney Smith
  • Game: Heat: Pedal to the Metal
  • Designers: Esker Harding Granerud, Daniel Skjold Pedersen
  • Publisher: Days of Wonder

Setup

  • Choose one double-sided game board (Recommended first game: USA Track).
  • Each player selects a car, player mat, and gear pawn in their color.
  • Place cars on numbered starting spaces in ascending order.
  • Collect 12 speed cards (values 1-4) in your color.
  • Collect three starting upgrade cards.
  • Collect heat and stress cards based on board icons (e.g., 6 heat, 3 stress).
  • Shuffle speed, upgrade, and stress cards together; draw 7 for opening hand.

Core Game Overview

  • Objective: Complete the required laps and cross the finish line first.
  • Structure: Played in rounds with nine steps (some mandatory, some conditional).

Steps in a Round

1. Shifting Gears

  • Shift gear up/down by one, or by two with a heat cost.
  • Place gear pawn accordingly.

2. Playing Cards

  • Play cards matching the current gear's value (e.g., 3rd gear = 3 cards).
  • No heat cards can be played in this step.

3. Revealing and Moving

  • Reveal cards; resolve stress cards if any (draw until a speed card is shown).
  • Calculate total speed; move car accordingly.
  • Move in the order of cars in the lead to the car furthest behind.
  • Understand track spaces and race line for positioning.

4. Adrenaline

  • Applies only to the last car to move (or last two in 5+ cars).
  • Gain +1 speed and one cooldown symbol.

5. Reacting

  • Activate any generated symbols.
  • Use boost (optional, at cost of one heat).
  • Cool down symbols allow you to return heat cards to your engine.

6. Slipstream

  • Optional step if ending next to or behind another car.
  • Move two extra spaces.

7. Check Corner

  • If crossing a corner, check speed against the corner limit.
  • Pay heat equal to the difference if over speed limit; otherwise, a spin-out.

8. Discard

  • Optionally discard any non-heat/non-stress cards.

9. Replenish Hand

  • Draw back up to 7 cards.

End of Round

  • Complete required laps.
  • Continue rounds until all players have crossed the finish line after required laps.
  • Remove cars from track and place on Hall of Fame spaces.
  • Determine the winner based on finish order.

Advanced Play Options

  • Garage Deck Module: Custom car building through drafting upgrades.
  • Legends Module: Solo play versus AI-driven cars.
  • Weather and Road Conditions Module: Changes weather effects.
  • Championship Module: Multi-race series with historical context.
  • Tournament Mode: Added challenge.

Conclusion

  • Engage in forums, and discussions on BoardGameGeek.
  • Support via Patreon.

Additional Tips

  • Manage heat carefully to avoid penalties and ensure flexibility.