Instead of the Doom Track we recently used a timer for the base Runebound game. We put 50 minutes of play time for each player making a total of 21/2 hours. The timer started at the beginning of the first players turn. When it ended the current round of turns was completed before starting the endgame. Has anyone else tried this or come up with any other variations on the Doom Track?

I enjoy the Doom Track but this seemed to do the same thing without the extra book keeping.

I've never considered just setting a timer in the manner you suggest. I've tried both the published Doom Track variant in the core rulebook and the variant threat track that can be found on boargamegeek.com that is based on Midnight expanion's threat track. I like the Threat Track better than the Doom Track personally, especially for solo play. My groups games seem to move along at a good enough pace for the most part that I haven't used the Threat Track too often in group play.

Setting a timer seems like a nice tool if you know going in you have a set time limit in which to complete a game. I think 2 1/2 hours is a pretty good pace for a 3 player game. Did you guys feel rushed whatsoever? I'd be even more interested in trying out a speed-Runebound variant and setting lower time limits to see if someone could be the Reds.