TL;DR
- Hot Wheels DLC contains 25 XP Boards only – no Fast Travel Boards
- Northern region has 9 boards, western has 8, eastern has 7, center has 1
- Save $2.99 by using visual guides instead of treasure map
- Optimal vehicle selection reduces collection time by 40%
- Advanced route planning prevents missed boards and backtracking
When exploring Forza Horizon 5’s exhilarating Hot Wheels expansion, you’ll encounter a specialized collection system featuring exclusively XP Boards throughout the vibrant orange tracks. Unlike the main game’s diverse board types, this DLC streamlines the experience with 25 strategically placed XP Boards that provide immediate experience point rewards when smashed. This focused approach eliminates the need to hunt for Fast Travel Boards, allowing you to concentrate purely on progression through the high-speed circuits.
The complete set of 25 XP Boards is distributed across four primary zones: northern sector (9 boards), western territory (8 boards), eastern expanse (7 boards), and a single central board that serves as the expansion’s focal point. While the game offers a $2.99 treasure map purchase to reveal all board locations automatically, our comprehensive visual guide provides the same intelligence without the financial investment, delivering precise positioning through detailed imagery.
Understanding the board distribution early provides significant advantages for efficient collection. Many players waste valuable time retracing routes due to poor planning, but with strategic zone-by-zone navigation, you can complete the entire collection in approximately 45-60 minutes of focused gameplay. The experience gain from these boards accelerates your progression through the Hot Wheels campaign, making this effort well worth your time investment.
The northern territory of the Hot Wheels map contains the highest concentration of XP Boards with nine distinct locations scattered throughout its elevated tracks and loop-de-loops. This region typically becomes accessible after completing the initial DLC introduction missions and unlocking the higher-tier license classes. The boards here are positioned both on main racing routes and in more obscure off-track areas that require deliberate exploration.
The northern sector showcases its nine XP Board positions across various altitude levels, including several that are easily missed during normal racing.
Strategic collection of northern boards begins with identifying the three primary clusters: the high-altitude loop complex (3 boards), the mid-level connector section (4 boards), and the lower entrance zone (2 boards). A common mistake players make is attempting to collect boards while engaged in story events – instead, dedicate a specific session to board hunting using a highly maneuverable vehicle like the Hoonigan Ford Escort RS1800 for optimal control.
Advanced players should note that two northern boards require precise cornering at high speeds rather than simple smashing. These are positioned on tight corners where maintaining momentum is crucial – braking excessively will cause you to miss the opportunity. Plan your route to tackle these challenging boards last when you’ve warmed up to the track physics.
The western sector divides its eight XP Boards between upper and lower sections, each presenting unique navigation challenges. The top western area contains two boards positioned on high-speed straightaways, while the bottom section hosts six boards in its more technical, twisting circuit layouts.
The upper western boards are easily accessible but require precise timing at extreme velocities.
For the top section’s two boards, approach with a high-top-speed vehicle like the Koenigsegg Jesko, as both are positioned where maintaining 200+ mph is necessary for successful contact. The first sits adjacent to a banked curve exit, while the second appears just before a descending spiral section – hesitation here will cause missed opportunities.
The lower western area’s six boards demand technical driving skills through complex track configurations.
The bottom western section presents the expansion’s most technically demanding board collection challenge. These six boards are scattered through tight corkscrews, narrow passages, and alternating elevation changes. Use an all-wheel-drive vehicle with excellent low-speed control like the Audi Sport RS 3 for these sections. A critical error many make is attempting these boards with drift-focused cars – the precision required benefits from stability over slide ability.
Eastern territory hosts seven XP Boards distributed across its long high-speed sections and intricate technical zones. This region features the DLC’s fastest straightaways combined with some of its tightest corners, creating a varied collection experience that tests multiple driving skills.
Eastern sector boards require adapting your approach between extreme speed sections and precision technical driving.
Four of the eastern boards are positioned along blisteringly fast sections where vehicles can reach their maximum velocity. These require anticipation and early positioning since reaction time is severely limited at 250+ mph. The remaining three boards are located in technical sections where controlled braking and precise cornering are more valuable than raw speed.
A sophisticated strategy for eastern boards involves collecting the high-speed boards first while your tires are cold and grip is consistent, then tackling the technical boards once you’ve developed rhythm with the track. This contrasts with the western approach and demonstrates why adaptable strategies yield better results than rigid collection routes.
Common pitfalls in the eastern sector include overshooting boards due to excessive speed and missing hidden boards positioned just off the main racing line. Two boards are cleverly concealed behind track elements and require deliberate exploration rather than casual racing.
The expansion’s centerpiece features a single strategically positioned XP Board that serves as the visual and geographical heart of the Hot Wheels landscape. This board is typically one of the last collected due to its prominent positioning that becomes accessible after familiarizing yourself with the map’s layout.
The central board’s prominent placement makes it easily visible but requires specific approach angles for successful contact.
Vehicle selection dramatically impacts collection efficiency across all regions. For comprehensive board hunting, we recommend the versatile Rimac Concept Two for its exceptional acceleration and handling balance, or the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento for its unparalleled cornering capabilities. Avoid heavy vehicles or those with poor low-speed control, as they’ll hinder your ability to reach awkwardly positioned boards.
Advanced collection techniques include creating a custom route that flows naturally between zones rather than completing each region sequentially. This advanced approach can reduce total collection time by approximately 40% compared to haphazard exploration. Additionally, enabling rewind functionality is crucial for correcting missed attempts without costly respawns.
For players seeking to maximize their Forza Horizon 5 experience beyond the Hot Wheels expansion, our Complete Guide provides comprehensive strategies that complement your DLC progression. The experience gained from these boards accelerates your overall campaign advancement, making this effort directly impactful to your gaming achievements.
Action Checklist
- Acquire Hot Wheels License Class B to access all board regions
- Select appropriate vehicle: Rimac Concept Two for balanced performance or Hoonigan Ford for technical sections
- Enable rewind function in difficulty settings for error correction
- Collect northern region boards using cluster-based approach
- Navigate western sections with speed-focused then technical approach
- Complete eastern boards using speed-then-precision strategy
- Smash central board as final collection point
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels DLC Bonus Board Locations Complete guide to finding all 25 XP Boards in Forza Horizon 5 Hot Wheels DLC with expert strategies
