# Heat: Heavy Rain ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2024 - **BGG Rating**: 8.1 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-7 (Best with: 5) - **Duration**: 60-0 min - **Weight**: 2.38 / 5 - **Designers**: Asger Aleksandrov Granerud, Daniel Skjold Pedersen - **Artists**: Vincent Dutrait - **Publishers**: Days of Wonder, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, Galápagos Jogos, Gémklub, Hobby Japan, Hobby World, Korea Boardgames, Lord of Boards, Rebel Sp. z o.o. - **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Racing, Sports - **Mechanics**: Catch the Leader, Hand Management, Push Your Luck, Race, Simulation, Simultaneous Action Selection, Solo / Solitaire Game, Track Movement, Variable Set-up ## Verdict A must-have for those who love the base game and want more map variety and a touch of climatic chaos.New maps bring fresh gameplaySeventh player expands the partyRain mechanics add tactical depthNew upgrades deepen the strategyRequires base game to playIncreases management complexityHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description Get your tires ready and hold your breath, because the asphalt is about to get dangerous! 'Heat: Heavy Rain' arrives to give your favorite racing game a necessary upgrade, introducing weather conditions that will test the patience and skill of any driver. The star of the show is the rain, which transforms the track into a tactical challenge: submerged track sections now require an extra heat to downshift, forcing you to think twice before slamming on the brakes. But it's not just about the water. The expansion grows the garage with a new driver (complete with orange components), allowing the group to increase the competition to up to 7 racers. For those who crave variety, the two new maps—Japan and Mexico—are a game-changer, each with unique curves and quirks that completely shift the race dynamics. Strategically, the most interesting addition is the new upgrade cards. We now have the 'purple drop,' a different type of cooldown that lets players retrieve heat cards from their discard pile and place them back into their engine. It's that fine-tuning that can be the difference between a podium finish and a disastrous spin. Additionally, the game gets a boost with more stress, championship, sponsorship, and event cards, making the overall experience richer and more unpredictable. If you already enjoy the tension of managing engine heat while trying to overtake the leader, this expansion adds layers of complexity in just the right amount, without slowing down the pace, but making every decision feel heavier. It's the perfect dose of chaos and strategy for anyone looking to take the competition to the next level. ## How to Play Hello, speed and strategy enthusiasts! Welcome to the complete guide for "Heat: Heavy Rain," the expansion that brings the thrill of the Japanese Grand Prix to your table. Prepare for a race under a heavy sky, where the treacherous track and new mechanics will test your driving and resource management skills. Let's accelerate! Game Objective In "Heat: Heavy Rain," players take on the roles of racing drivers competing in the challenging Japanese Grand Prix. The central theme revolves around the unpredictability and dangers of racing in heavy rain, where the track becomes a trap and every decision can mean the difference between victory and retirement. The main objective is to be the fastest and most efficient driver, crossing the finish line first and accumulating the highest possible score at the end of the race. Setup Setting up for a race in "Heat: Heavy Rain" involves assembling the board and distributing the starting components to each player. Follow these steps: Place the double-sided game board, choosing the Japan track. Each player receives a player board, a Gear Lever, a race car, and a set of 5 Stress cards. Deal 12 Basic cards and 3 Initial Upgrade cards to each player. The 15 Heat cards are prepared according to the general rules of the base game. The Advanced Upgrade cards (numbered 49 to 54, 2 copies of each), 2 Track cards, 4 Event cards (1964 Season), and 7 Sponsorship cards are added to their respective decks, as indicated in the manual. For the Weather and Track Conditions Module, draw only one Track Condition Token for each Chicane. Game Flow The game progresses in rounds, with each player taking their turn in sequence. The exact turn structure and maintenance or global event phases are detailed in the base game manual. However, the "Heat: Heavy Rain" expansion introduces elements that can alter the flow: Flooded Spaces: If you start a Round in a Flooded Space, downshifting in Phase 1 will cost 1 additional Heat. This means a single downshift will cost 1 Heat in total, and two downshifts will cost 2 Heat. Chicanes: These consist of 2 consecutive Corner Lines with the same Speed Limit and 1 or more Spaces between them. If the Weather and Track Conditions Module is used, the Track Condition Tokens associated with the Chicanes can modify the sector after the Chicane or both Corner Lines. Aggressive Legends: If a Legend starts its turn in a space with a chevron above the diamond on the track, it can move through an additional Corner Line in that Round. This rule can also be applied to the Great Britain track in the base game by drawing a Chevron on the "0" space in front of corners with a Speed Limit of 6, 5, and 4. Actions and How to Play The actions available to players are those described in the base game manual. The "Heat: Heavy Rain" expansion introduces new elements that can influence the choice and execution of these actions: Advanced Upgrade Cards: These cards, numbered 49 to 54, are added to the Upgrade decks. Event Cards (1964 Season): These 4 cards can be used to play the 1964 Season or added to a custom Event deck. Sponsorship Cards: In Press Corners, players receive 2 Sponsorship cards instead of one. Supercooling Symbol: This is an Optional Symbol for Phase 5. It allows you to look at your discard pile and remove up to # Heat cards, returning them to your Engine space. If there are no Heat cards in the discard pile, the symbol is lost. Refer to the manual for details on specific actions and card usage. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when a player crosses the finish line. The final score is calculated based on various criteria, including final position in the race and other factors detailed in the base game manual. Victory and defeat conditions are determined by the total accumulated score. Refer to the manual for details on the exact end-game trigger, all scoring criteria, and specific victory and defeat conditions. Tips for Winning To excel on the treacherous tracks of "Heat: Heavy Rain," consider the following tips: Carefully manage your Heat, especially when facing Flooded Spaces, as the additional cost can impact your ability to downshift. Pay attention to Chicanes and their associated Track Condition Tokens, as they can significantly alter track behavior and require adjustments to your strategy. Take advantage of the opportunities offered by Sponsorship cards in Press Corners to strengthen your hand and gain strategic advantages. ## FAQ ### Do I need the base game to play? Yes! This is an expansion, so you need 'Heat: Pedal to the Metal' to use these new components. ### How many players can play now? With the addition of the new orange driver, the race can now accommodate up to 7 racers simultaneously. ### What changes with the rain on the track? Rain creates submerged sections. In these areas, you must spend extra heat to downshift, making braking more risky. ### What is the 'purple drop' in the upgrades? It's a new type of cooldown that lets you retrieve a heat card from your discard pile and put it back into your engine, giving you more hand flexibility. ### Do the new maps change the game much? Yes! Japan and Mexico bring different layouts that require new movement and heat management strategies. ### Does the game become much harder? The complexity increases slightly due to the new weather rules and upgrades, but it remains accessible to anyone familiar with the base game. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 33.41 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=5289469&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/50445/heat-heavy-rain?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com