What's the strategy for Twisted Metal 2?

After using passwords to brute force my way past the Moscow bowl (2nd stage) I'm pretty fed up with how it's a 5-on-1 or a 6-on-1 where they can shoot in any direction and turn in place faster than you can.
I've been hiding in weird areas and waiting for cars to come by and get stuck in the walls and shit so they spam their Specials at a wall hitbox while i slowly whittle them down.

pic unrelated, I'm playing as Grasshopper since her bio says she's Calypso's daughter.

First go around the stage to know where the power ups are, especially health. Stock up on the good stuff and use that, and when you can stall to wait for item respawns

Use a character with better armor until you're more familiar with the game

Learn to use abilities.
Up up right for shield.
Up up left to jump.
Left right up for ice.
Enemies do indeed only target you so get rid of Spectre, Sweettooth, Slam and Roadkill as they are the most annoying so higher priority.
Left right down is back attack.
Right left down puts mines.
Mines are actually pretty good. Enemies usually drive the center of the road so if you are being followed put several so the enemy gets reckt.
Use select down to have the weapon list so you know where each weapon is.
Use select right to put the back minimap.
That and the mini radar are very important. Keep an eye at all times on it to avoid get banged up.
Specifically grasshopper. A great way to use her is to use her special and then use the napalm or power missile after the special hits. It deals great damage. Try to use the shield more often to avoid damage.
Another good strategy is to use your shield, get close and then blow several remotes on the enemy. Enemies particularly receive double damage from explosives when on air or in vertical terrain. Basically if they arent in a flat surface.
Game is great so try to master it to play hard!

>>11858104 (OP)
>ultra tight

I always appreciated how the game ends at Amazonia if you play on easy.

>>11858104 (OP)
>starting as the worst vehicle in the game

>>11858104 (OP)
Holy fuck I love TM2. OP try a different character. The roster isn't quite balanced. Try grasshopper when you've mastered the game a bit more. You can beat the game with her, sure, but it's a challenge.

>>11858265
This is good advice. I would agree to use mines. The freeze ability will win you the game. Freeze, empty your inventory, ram, machine gun all in tandem. This is especially fun if you're using Mr. Slam.

Moscow Bowl is hard, but once you get the hang of the freeze and mines, it gets better. If you want a fast and zippy vehicle like Grasshopper, you could try Outlaw. The special is decent, knocks vehicles into the air, and allows for hit-and-runs or quick escapes.

What would be the best beginner character?
Axel?

>>11858443
Axel is a fun way to start. You get decent armor and a very powerful attack for ambush or get-away. When a dog pile happens, Axel is the one to end it.

>>11858443
Warthog is a good choice. Strong armor without being a big target, not as slow as the other heavy vehicles, and a good and easy to use special weapon.

>>11858476
I would agree Warthog is a good choice for beginners. The special is versatile enough.

>>11858443
thumper is ez mode, you can freeze and then basically one hit kill with a single special on the weaker half of the enemies

warthog is a good pick
outlaw is ok
axel roadkill and spectre is meh

grasshopper hammerhead shadow and twister are not good for starters

slam is fun but too slow and requires freezes

grimm is a probably a challenge run and asking to be annihilated

>>11858443
#1: Minion. Best stats, powerful special that also freezes the enemy, and capable of ramming and running over the smaller cars for massive damage.
#2: Axel. Good stats, strong special that will knock people into the air and away from you, decent at ramming.
#3: Thumper. Decent stats, special can 1 or 2-shot most enemies if you can pin them against a wall and give them the full flame, not enough armor for effective ramming.
Play through and beat the game on Normal difficulty in that order. Once you can finish as Minion, you are ready to try as Axel. Once you can finish as Axel, you are ready to try as Thumper. Once you can finish as Thumper, you can beat the game with just about everyone except Twister, Mr. Grimm, and the other weaker cars.

Favorite car hands down. The special goes through walls and detonates at your command. It also has the potential to send enemies flying into lava or off platforms. Second favorite is Mr. Slam, because flailing your opponent about is fun.

I always played Spectre because I'm a giant bitch who liked to hide and shoot people with the ghost missiles.

>>11858909
I killed Dark Tooth like this. It took forever but it worked. Valid strat.

didn't realize until today that the Hollywood sign in the background can actually be hit with a missile and explode, sending the HOLLYWOOD letters scattering.

>>11858104 (OP)
>ULTRA TIGHT

It is kind of difficult and jank and first but don't fret, you'll get better. As others have said, familiarize yourself with the button combo abilities (jump, freeze, etc) and the pickups on all the maps. The mindset you want to have is be a hoarder and don't fight fair. Pick up as many weapons as you can, you'll need every single one. And don't try to fight everybody at once. Once you're armed to the teeth, break off from the group and let one guy wander over to you so you can fight him one on one. Over time, you'll get a better feel for the different weapons and specials. Also, Twister sucks so if you're just starting out, go for someone more robust with a better special like Warthog or Shadow

>>11858915
Where did you hide to hit him? If you head upstairs in that chinese place, he can hit you and get up there too. If you hide in the subway tunnels, he sends a flood of bouncing bombs at you.

I suggest playing Axel, if you're new to the game. He is kinda begginer friendly. Try to use the special moves, as >>11858265
mentioned.

About Moscow, my strategy is avoid staying stand. Trye to be moving always, so you don't get hit.

>>11859132
It's been so long but If I remember correctly, I think I would dive into the tunnels for only brief periods to avoid the tidal wave of ricochet bombs and then flee. It wasn't perfect and I spent a lot of time running for my life.