Heat: Pedal to the Metal is an incredibly balanced, strategy-heavy board game that combines the excitement of auto racing, complex decision making, and just the right amount of luck. It has quickly become one of my favorite board games to play online and in person, but it took me a long time to become any good. Now, I can keep pace with the best of them and win fairly regularly even against other good players. I’ve compiled everything I’ve learned from many races to get you up to speed and racing like a seasoned veteran.
Reduce the number of turns it takes to finish
Unlike real racing, Heat: Pedal to the Metal is turn-based. All of the tips and strategies I list below are designed to help reduce the number of turns it takes to finish a race, which will result in more wins. Your entire approach to the game should be based on this central goal. Many players simply try to get to the front of the pack as soon as possible and stay there but this ends up being suboptimal in most cases.
According to the statistics on BGA, it takes the average player about 19.8 turns to complete a race while top players average around 16.5 turns. This will vary quite a bit based on the track and options in each game, but the point remains.
| Top Player #1 | Top Player #2 | Top Player #3 | Average Player | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rounds played | 16.73 | 16.89 | 15.99 | 19.82 |
You should always be looking for opportunities to reduce the total number of turns it takes to get around the track. It usually takes a well-planned sequence of two or three turns through one or more corners to gain a turn on other players, requiring effective management of Heat, Stress, cards in your hand, and maneuvering.
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Utilize your Heat effectively
Heat is literally the name of the game – it’s a valuable resource that, if used effectively, will allow you to push the limits of your car and leave your opponents in the dust. Knowing how and when to use your Heat to gain an edge is what separates good players from average players.
Spend Heat in bursts
In general, it is more economical to use your Heat in bursts instead of spreading it out across many turns. Each track is different (we’ll get to track-specific strategies later) but you should try to identify opportunities on each track to “gain a turn” by using your Heat.
It’s almost always more efficient to use your Heat in bunches than it is to use it piecemeal. That is to say, you’ll probably get more bang for your buck by using 3 Heat in one turn than you would using 1 Heat in three consecutive turns. If you have 6 Heat in your engine then you’ll probably get the most out of it by using it all in 2 consecutive turns than you would using it bit by bit all over the track.
Use your Heat to blow through corners
The best time to use your Heat to gain an advantage is through tight turns with low speed limits. This is especially true for rapid sequences of turns like turns 2, 3, 4, and 5 on the Great Britain track.
For example, in the image below you can blow through corners 2 and 3 (the blue dot to the red dot) in one turn by using 5 Heat. Similarly, you can make it through corners 4 and 5 (the yellow dot to the green dot) in one turn by spending 5 Heat. This is much more useful than spending Heat on things like Boosts because it reduces the number of turns it takes to work through the corners.
Save Boosting for opportune moments
Boosting is often a tempting option because it feels like you’re getting a leg up on the racers around you, but it’s usually not the best use of your Heat. The statistics on BGA bear this out, showing that top players tend to Boost less often than the average player (even when accounting for their fewer overall turns).
| Top Player #1 | Top Player #2 | Top Player #3 | Average Player | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boosts/Game | 2.33 | 2.61 | 2.66 | 3.0 |
Boosting is usually unreliable and random because you can rarely be sure of what speed you’ll draw from your deck. Spending one Heat just to draw a 1 from the deck is demoralizing and inefficient. Even if you draw a 4, it’s unlikely to be as useful to you as that Heat would be when used to help you get through a corner one turn faster.
That said, there are times when Boosting is the smart thing to do. Personally, I like to Boost when one or more of these conditions are met:
- I know I only have 3’s or 4’s left if my draw pile
- I am likely to end up in a position where I can also then Slip Stream
- It will position me better for an upcoming corner
- It’s the last turn of the game and I need to maximize my distance traveled
- I want to put distance between me and an opponent to prevent him from Slip Streaming
- It might exhaust my draw pile and let me reshuffle an advantageous discard pile
Use all of your Heat before the race finishes
Heat is the most valuable resource in the game, so you should make as much use of it as you can. When I was new to the game I once finished a game with 4 Heat still left in my engine and one of my opponents kindly told me that I should always try to finish a race with 0 Heat. That really stuck with me because it’s undeniably true – any Heat left in your engine at the end of a race is a wasted opportunity.
In the last few turns of a race, try to make a plan to use all of your Heat. This can be any combination of paying Heat for an overspeed corner, using Boosts, or upshifting to play more Speed Cards – just make sure you use it all to get as much out of your car as you can.
Manage your hand by discarding wisely
Hand management is an underrated but extremely important skill in Heat: Pedal to the Metal. Having the right cards at the right time can make or break your race, so developing this skill is crucial to success. Hand management is all about planning ahead and having a good sense of what cards you’re likely to pull from your draw pile.
Don’t be afraid to discard liberally
Top rated players tend to discard much more often than the average player. Once I realized this, I decided to imitate them and be much more liberal with my discarding. The results were immediate and pretty shocking – I started to win more games and be much more competitive overall. Let’s look at the stats:
| Top Player #1 | Top Player #2 | Top Player #3 | Average Player | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # of Discards/Game | 10.33 | 11.6 | 15.89 | 9.32 |
Clearly, top players discard more often than the average player – and this doesn’t even factor in the fact that top players discard that many cards over fewer turns than the average player!
Discard cards you won’t use in the next two turns
In general, I like to discard any cards that I know I won’t be using in the next two turns. This is just a rough guideline, but I find that it applies in almost all cases. For example, if I have just entered a long straightaway and I know I’ll be wanting to max out my speed for three turns I’ll go ahead and discard and 1’s and 2’s from my hand to open up more space for higher speed cards.
Similarly, if I’m entering a sequence of turns where control and flexibility are more important, I’ll go ahead and get rid of 4’s (and anything higher). This gives me a better chance of drawing lower speed cards that give me more control over my speed while still staying in a higher gear.
Keep a diverse set of cards for more flexibility
Maintaining a hand with a diverse array of cards gives you a lot of optionality and flexibility. It’s nice to have a hand with several different speed cards and useful garage module upgrade cards so that you can adapt to situations as they arise.
In general, I like to discard speed cards so that I never have more than 2 of the same speed. So, if I have three 2’s in my hand at the end of a turn then I’ll usually discard one of them so that I’ll have a better chance of drawing a more useful/flexible card. One notable exception to this is if I have three 4’s in my hand and I’m entering a straightaway.
Track your discards
One of the most challenging (and rewarding) skills in Heat: Pedal to the Metal is tracking your discards so that you always know what is left in your draw pile. This can give you a huge advantage when you’re deciding when to discard or use a Boost because you know the exact probabilities of drawing a good card.
For example, imagine you are considering using a Boost on this turn but you’re worried that if you draw a 4 it’ll put you past a corner and cause you to spin out. If you have been tracking your discards then you might realize that all of your 4’s are currently in your discard pile or your hand – meaning there is no chance of you spinning out.
Manage your Stress with upgrades and timing
Stress cards are a very cool but annoying mechanic that simulates the stress a driver feels as a race progresses. They add uncertainty to your driving, making it difficult to move your car around the track with precision, so knowing how to manage your stress is crucial to success
Combine Stress Cards with flexible Upgrades
One really helpful tip for managing Stress in Heat: Pedal to the Metal is to play them in combination with flexible Garage Module Upgrade cards. I particularly like the Brake cards that give you a choice of Speed when played. Similarly, Gas Pedal cards can be played directly from your hand to give you same added speed, if necessary.
When played together, you can see what speed you draw from the draw pile for your Stress card and then choose the speed you want from your Upgrade card to complement it. This makes it far less likely that you overshoot a corner or undershoot a potential Slip Stream opportunity because some of the randomness is mitigated by your ability to choose your speed.
Play Stress Cards when you don’t need precision
Another way I like to get rid of stress cards is to play them in straightaways where precision is less important. Sure, you may run the risk of drawing a less-than-helpful 1 or 2, but at least you’re clearing the Stress Card out of your hand and there is no real penalty for not having complete control over where you land on the track.
The flip side of this is, of course, to avoid playing Stress Cards when navigating corners or when precise maneuvering is required. An unlucky draw can cause you to spin out or effectively lose a turn compared to other players.
Play Stress Cards when your draw deck is low
Stress management is another compelling reason to count cards (track your discards). If you are actively and accurately tracking your discards then you’ll always know what’s left in your draw pile, removing a lot of uncertainty when you have to play a Stress Card.
For example, let’s say you’ve been tracking your discards and there are only 3 cards left in your draw pile. You realize that there are only two 3’s and one 4 Speed card left in the draw pile because you’ve either played, discarded, or currently hold all of the other speed cards. You can then confidently play one or more Stress Cards on a straightaway knowing that you’ll only draw 3’s or 4’s. This is a huge advantage for the player who is willing to put in the work of tracking their discards.
Avoid spinning out at all costs
If you’ve played Heat: Pedal to the Metal for any length of time you’re bound to have experienced the agony of spinning out. It’s a race-ruining penalty that is almost impossible to recover from if you’re playing against competent opponents. In fact, I’ve only ever won one race after having spun out – and even that was a close thing.
You should almost NEVER take any chances with spinning out. Sometimes it can be very tempting to roll the dice with a Stress Card to get you around a corner, but if you don’t have the Heat left to pay for drawing a 4 (and there are any 4’s left in your draw pile) it’s simply not worth the risk. Just play it safe and look for another opportunity to gain some ground.
The only time I would even consider risking spinning out is if I’m neck and neck with another player coming into the last corner of the race. If I know my opponent will make it around the corner and I must also do so, it might be worth risking it to try to come in 1st. However, it still comes with the risk of not even reaching the podium because other players could pass you after you spin out.
Predict your opponent’s location to Slip Stream
It’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing on your own play and ignoring your opponents, but experienced Heat: Pedal the Metal players know that you have to actively race against your opponents to win. This means predicting their movements and using them to your advantage. It’s often beneficial to be in the middle or back of a tight pack of cars because it gives you more opportunities to Slip Stream.
If you can accurately predict where your opponent(s) will end up then you can tailor the cards you play to give you the option of Slip Streaming and gaining two free spaces. If you’re unsure between two spaces they might land on, aim for the space closest to you since you’ll be able to use Slip Stream either way.
Slip Stream around corners to conserve Heat
Slip Streaming is most useful on corners since the additional spaces you get to move don’t count toward your Speed value on the Check Corner step. When you have some cars close in front of you, it’s usually a good idea to try to land on the s
For example, in the race above I’m Black. I know that Gray has no Heat left, so it’s likely that he’ll make the next corner at speed 2. I can play cards to achieve a Speed of 3, putting my right in front of the corner line and (very likely) a space behind Gray. I will then be able to Slip Stream around the corner, only having to pay one Heat even though I’ve moved 5 spaces around a corner with a speed limit of 2. Green and Yellow have similar opportunities, and perhaps even better since I’m in front of them and could provide an additional chance to Slip Stream off of.
Choose engine upgrades for the track you’re on
Playing with Upgrade Cards from the Garage Modules brings a whole new level of complexity and enjoyment to Heat: Pedal to the Metal. They cards add a lot of customization and flexibility to your racing that you don’t get with just the base cards. The Upgrades your draft at the beginning of a race can have a huge impact on the outcome of a race depending on:
- Your racing style
- How well the cards synergize with one another
- How well the cards work on the chosen race track
For tracks with longer straightaways and fewer tight turns (think Italia, USA) you’ll probably want to draft Upgrades with higher top speeds since you’ll need less control and more straight-line speed. For more technical tracks like Great Britain and France, drafting Upgrades that give more control (Brakes, Body, Wings, etc.) is probably going to be a better choice.
Spend most turns in 2nd and 3rd gear
Most of the turns in a race should be spent in 2nd or 3rd gear, with few exceptions. It gives you the best combination of flexibility, speed, and Cooldown (from 2nd gear). 4th gear should usually be reserved for straightaways where playing more cards gives you more top speed, and 1st gear should rarely be used except in case of emergency or when you have to get rid of a lot of Heat from your hand in a hurry.
The data from BGA seems to agree with this recommendation. Top players spend the vast majority of each race in 2nd and 3rd gear, sometimes shifting up to 4th but only very seldom into 1st. Keep in mind that the top rated players have fewer turns overall (since they finish faster).
| Gear | Top Player #1 | Top Player #2 | Top Player #3 | Average Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turns in 1st | 1.04 | .64 | 1.28 | 2.03 |
| Turns in 2nd | 7.11 | 7.39 | 7.74 | 8.6 |
| Turns in 3rd | 5.83 | 5.31 | 5.36 | 6.35 |
| Turns in 4th | 2.76 | 2.65 | 2.51 | 2.83 |
Save high-speed cards for the home stretch
In my experience, most races in Heat: Pedal to the Metal amongst similarly-skilled opponents end with more than one player crossing the finish line on the same turn. In these cases, the winner is determined by who travels the furthest past the finish line so it’s important to save up some high-speed cards to use on the home stretch on your last turn of the game. This will propel you further across the finish line and give you a better chance of winning.
This is just as important (if not moreso) when racing against bots (Legendary Racers). Their ‘AI’ works in such a way that they are VERY fast on straightaways, so unless you can play a lot of high speed cards on your last turn your chances of winning are pretty low.
It’s also a really good idea to save 1 Heat to use a boost on your final turn. Ideally, you’ll be able to be in 4th gear and also use a Boost, allowing you to use 5 movement cards on the home stretch.
Track opponents’ discards for an extra edge
My last tip is one that I definitely haven’t been able to utilize yet, but top players seem to have mastered it. Just like tracking your own discards can give you a big advantage, tracking your opponents’ discards can also be enormously helpful.
By keeping track of what cards your opponents have played (or discarded) into their discard pile, you can get a very good idea of the cards in their hand – especially when their draw pile is low. Then, you’ll be able to more accurately predict their movement based on:
- The cards they have available
- The gear they’re in
- How much Heat is in their engine
You can use all of that information to do things like give yourself more Slip Stream opportunities or block them from crossing a corner line. These little advantages add up, especially when the end result is that you gives you an ‘extra’ turn relative to your opponents.
Know where opportunity lies on each track
All of the strategies we’ve discussed so far can be applied on every track, but part of the fun of Heat: Pedal to the Metal is switching up the tracks to get a variety of racing experiences. Each track presents different challenges and opportunities, and knowing where to make your move can be the difference between winning and losing.
| Track | Best corner combos to expend Heat | Beneficial Upgrade Cards |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 3 & 4 | Top Speed (Turbo Charger, Cooling System, etc.) |
| Italia | 2 & 3 | Top Speed (Turbo Charger, Cooling System, etc.) |
| France | 2 & 3, 4 & 5 | Control (Brakes, Body, etc.) |
| GB | 2 & 3 | Control (Brakes, Body, etc.) |
Thanks for reading! If I missed something or you have your own opinions, please drop a comment below.
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Your strategy comments are excellent, well thought out and very helpful! Thank you
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