
 @@@@@@@  @@@@@@@@  @@@
@@@@@@@@  @@@@@@@@  @@@
!@@       @@!       @@!
!@!       !@!       !@!
!@!       @!!!:!    @!!
!!!       !!!!!:    !!!
:!!       !!:       !!:
:!:       :!:        :!:
 ::: :::   :: ::::   :: ::::
 :: :: :  : :: ::   : :: : :


@@@@@@@    @@@@@@   @@@@@@@@@@    @@@@@@    @@@@@@@@  @@@@@@@@
@@@@@@@@  @@@@@@@@  @@@@@@@@@@@  @@@@@@@@  @@@@@@@@@  @@@@@@@@
@@!  @@@  @@!  @@@  @@! @@! @@!  @@!  @@@  !@@        @@!
!@!  @!@  !@!  @!@  !@! !@! !@!  !@!  @!@  !@!        !@!
@!@  !@!  @!@!@!@!  @!! !!@ @!@  @!@!@!@!  !@! @!@!@  @!!!:!
!@!  !!!  !!!@!!!!  !@!   ! !@!  !!!@!!!!  !!! !!@!!  !!!!!:
!!:  !!!  !!:  !!!  !!:     !!:  !!:  !!!  :!!   !!:  !!:
:!:  !:!  :!:  !:!  :!:     :!:  :!:  !:!  :!:   !::  :!:
 :::: ::  ::   :::  :::     ::   ::   :::   ::: ::::   :: ::::
:: :  :    :   : :   :      :     :   : :   :: :: :   : :: ::

CEL DAMAGE FAQ
For play on Nintendo GameCube
Presented by BoredGamer
Last Updated: 6/3/02
Version: 0.7
Phase: Quater finished

THE FOLLOWING SITES HAVE HOSTING PRIVILEDGES:
GameFAQs (www.gamefaqs.com)
NeoSeeker (www.neoseeker.com)
Cheat Happens (www.cheathappens.com)

The E-mail Dealy...
Okay, I have two different E-mail addresses that I'd prefer you use for
different purposes.

If you are e-mailing me about feedback, questions, or anything having to do
with any FAQ, please send it to Blublublublu1129@cs.com.

If, however, you are e-mailing me on something that does not concern a FAQ,
e-mail me at Liverboyjoe179@cs.com.

If any e-mail is sent to Blublublublu1129 that does not concern a FAQ, it will
be deleted/ignored.  Please try to refrain from sending FAQ information, etc.
to Liverboyjoe179.

Please stop sending me files.  I will not download them unless they are someone
I know, and by this I mean someone I know -personally- like family or best
friends.  I have suspected that some files that have been sent to me are
viruses (with good justification after being persecuted) and did not download
them.  This also means not to send me FAQs or any other material to critique.

This FAQ is under heavy construction.  It probably won't be complete until some
time this Summer, as I will be finishing up my junior year of college over the
next few weeks.

_______________________________________________________________________

UPDATE HISTORY

5/20/02
-1:50 PM Update
Saw that there we no FAQs for this game last night and decided to begin writing
one.
-5:30 PM Update
Section 1B complete.  I may add more, though, as I see fit.

5/28/02
-1:10 PM Update
Added ASCII art.  Section 4A complete.  Section 1A complete.  Added some info
on Violet.
-4:30 PM Update
Started work on Section 5.  Also added some questions to the FAQ Section.
-6:10 PM Update
Integrated Sections 1B and 1C.  Added some info on Sinder, Fowl Mouth, and
Whack Angus.  Got a start on Section 3, but since my file doesn't have all
weapons unlocked yet, it won't be complete for a while.  I think that's a wrap
for today.  I should be adding more in the future, possibly even later tonight
if I get bored enough with my gaming.

5/29/02
-7:52 PM Update
I'm going to change a lot of the info I have on weapons.  I've decided that two
categories isn't enough.  Did a little work to the game mode section, too.  Not
a major update, but surprising that there even is one considering I have
homework to do.
-11:54 PM Update
Meager update before I go to bed.  Added info for Flemming and Dominique Trix. 
I'll probably play as B.T. Bruno soon so I can add some stuff on him.

6/3/02
-4:15 PM Update
Very small update.  I'm mainly going to be spending today updating my Robotrek
FAQ.  Changed the Freeze ray data a bit.  Also added a new question to the FAQ.
 Look for a bigger update on this maybe next week when I don't have school
(Monday, Tuesday; My last final is on Thursday).



Reference credit goes to:
Instruction manual for a bit of the plot outline and driving stats.


Contents According to Joe
-------------------------
Section 1: Introduction
1A: Cel Damage: Every Night @ 8
1B: Just Another Twisted Metal Clone? (Game Basics)
Section 2: Characters
2A: Readily Selectible Characters
2B: Unlockable Characters
Section 3: Weapons
3A: Regular Weapons
3B: Special Weapons
Section 4: Game Modes
4A: Smack Attack
4B: Gate Relay
4C: Flag Rally
Section 5: Tips
5A: Level Tips (as per mode type)
 1: Smack Attack
 2: Gate Relay
 3: Flag Rally
5B: Individual Character Tips and Ratings
5C: Mode Tips
5D: General Tips
Section 6: FAQ
Section 7: Legal Bit
Section 8: Thank You and Goodbye

What to expect in the future:
More info on characters (B.T. Bruno, Flemming, Brian, T. Wrecks, and that count
guy...)
More Weapons
More on game modes
More Tips, especially for given levels
More questions added to the FAQ

  -------------------------
/  SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION  \
-----------------------------

1A: CEL DAMAGE: EVERY NIGHT @ 8

An awkwardly familiar premise seen in many films before (e.g. Who Framed Roger
Rabbit, Cool World) seems to be the idea of a "toon world."  A world that is
dominated by cartoons rather than living human flesh and reality.  In the game
Cel Damage, such a world exists.  In fact, the game takes places in said world.
 This world is a lot like our own: It has many jobs that are fulfilled by
various high and low income people and there are some that would rather
entertain than try so hard to actually make it life.  Those who would martyr
themselves for the enjoyment of those viewing from home.  Such can be seen in
'Toon TV's hit show, Cel Damage.  In this show, several cartoons have come
together to battle it out in a various matches of global proportions.  There
are six very well known names that appear on this show: Violet, B.T. Bruno,
Sinder, Dominique Trix, and Fowl Mouth.  All together, they battle every night
at 8 PM.  All for what?  To make a living, of course.  I guess entertaining is
another factor in that as well...

1B: JUST ANOTHER TWISTED METAL CLONE? (GAME BASICS)

For those of you who haven't seen or played Cel Damage and are interested in
knowing just what it's all about...

I wouldn't go so far as to say that this is any "Twisted Metal Clone."  We've
seen many in the past (Rogue Trip, Vigilante 8, Star Wars Demolition). 
Although this game does carry in the tradition, it is not a fully clone. 
Rather, think of this as being a cross between Twisted Metal and Unreal
Tournament where you have the TM style of driving and destroying things, but
you have Unreal Tournament's different types of modes and winning conditions. 
Add in the element of cel-shading which gives the game a more cartoony look
(hence the name "Cel Damage") and voila.  You have the gist of the game pretty
much down.

This game does differ on some levels from Twisted Metal.  First, there aren't
as many characters to immediately select from.  Second, the weapon system is
much different.  In Twisted Metal, you start with some weapons and can pick up
more as time advances.  As you pick them up, they accumulate and you can switch
amongst which weapon you wish to use at a given time.  In Cel Damage, you only
start with one basic weapon (which differs from character to character, but
pretty much has the same effect).  This cannot, as far as I know, destroy any
of your opponents with the rocks, but you can build up your Smack (see the
section on game modes to get a better explanation on "building Smack") slowly
with this.  When you pick up a weapon, that is the only weapon you can use
until it runs out or until you grab another weapon.  Once you grab another
weapon, though, you lose the one you previously had.  So, if you grab an axe,
then grab a cluster bomb, you will lose the axe even after the cluster bomb is
totally consumed.  Another difference this game has from Twisted Metal is quite
a simple one.  The core idea to Twisted Metal is to destroy everyone else on
the screen.  There isn't a mode in this game in which you really have to
destroy everyone else.  The closest it comes is Smack Attack, which you build
up points by damaging the other cars.

As you've guessed, this is a driving game.  The environment presented is a 3D
cel-shaded one with much in the environment to give it an authentic feel.  Each
level has different stimuli you can mess with and activate by running over
certain bullseye signs.  There are even stimuli that don't need to be
activated, but are very much deadly such as lava, deep water, or even
man-eating plants.  As said before, you can pick up weapons by running over
particular signs.

To accelerate your car, you push to the R Trigger.  Deceleration and reverse
are the L Trigger.  You steer your car with the analog control.  Two buttons
you may be using a lot are A and B.  A fires your ready weapon, which could
either be your primary weapon or the weapon you just picked up.  B always fires
your primary weapon, and it also allows you to jump where applied (e.g. when
you're on the vines in a certain level).  B probably won't be used as much as
A.  X and Y are fairly useless buttons, but are there more for the hell of it. 
X blasts your vehicle's horn, while Y executes a taunt.  Finally, you have the
Z button, which toggles between your screen's radar and the leader of the game.

Button Breakdown:

Analog Stick: Steers vehicle (using left and right directions)
D-Pad Up: Accelerate
D-Pad Down: Brake, Reverse
D-Pad Left, Right: Steers vehicle
A Button: Primary Attack/Use Weapon
B Button: Primary Attack, Jump where applied
X Button: Horn
Y Button: Taunt
Z Button: Toggle between radar and match's leader
C Stick: Not used in game
R Trigger: Accelerate
L Trigger: Brake, Reverse

  -----------------------
/  SECTION 2: CHARACTERS  \
---------------------------

2A: READILY PLAYABLE CHARACTERS

NOTE: Some of the stats were taken from the instruction booklet.

Character Name: Violet
Vehicle: APC
Primary Weapon: Skull Balls
Special Weapon: Mortar
Top Speed: Medium
Acceleration: High
Turning: Fair
Deceleration: Fair
Traction: Fair
Weight: Very heavy

Violet is a demonic anime chick.  This becomes self evident just by observing
the skulls in her hair, the bat wings, the purple hair color, etc.  Violet is a
decent character to play as.  She's almost perfectly rounded.  Her only
downside happens to be the fact that her vehicle is very heavy and can be hard
to control at times.

Character Name: Sinder
Vehicle: ATV
Primary Weapon: Flame Balls
Special Weapon: Woodchipper
Top Speed: Medium
Acceleration: Medium
Turning: Good
Deceleration: Poor
Traction: High
Weight: Heavy

Sinder was once a demon that worked for Satan down in Hell.  Unfortunately for
him, he was released from his duties in Hell due to the fact that he is just
too rambunctious.  Sadly, he walked off that very day and found himself right
in just the right place at the right time.  He "applied" for the show (watch
the intro movie and you'll see what I mean) and was instantly hired.  Sinder
is, in my opinion, one of the best characters for Smack Attack.  While he's not
incredibly fast, he is very easy to handle.

Character Name: Fowl Mouth
Vehcile: Studebaker
Primary Weapon: Bricks
Special Weapon: Tommy Gun
Top Speed: Slow
Acceleration: High
Turning: Good
Deceleration: Fair
Traction: Fair
Weight: Light

Fowl Mouth is a callous, ass-kickin' duck.  He was born in the black and white
era and his colors reflect as such.  This mean gangster duck may not have a
fast vehicle, but he handles very good considering that his frame is light and
the steering is great.  He's good for Smack Attacks, especially.

Character Name: Dominique Trix
Vehicle: Caddy
Primary Weapon: Spiked Balls
Special Weapon: Dynamite Crossbow
Top Speed: Fast
Acceleration: Medium
Turning: Fair
Decelation: Good
Traction: Poor
Weight: Light

Dominique Trix is a dominant little girlie obviously into S&M and subjegating
the opposite sex.  She favors very much pain and torment and has entered into
Cel Damage as a means to torture and and punish others.  Since her vehicle is
fast and light with fair turning, it's fairly good for Gate Relays.  However,
she has very bad traction.

Character Name: Flemming
Vehicle: Hovercraft
Primary Weapon: Shuriken
Special Weapon: Laser
Top Speed: Fast
Acceleration: High
Turning: Good
Deceleration: Poor
Traction: Poor
Weight: Medium

Flemming is a typical nerdy character who got on Cel Damage through his
elaborate vehicle and weapon designs.  Could it be this, or the girls (as his
intro movie suggests) that got him to join up Cel Damage?  If you look at one
side of his stats, you see that he's got high acceleration, a fast top speed,
and good turning.  However, he has very poor deceleration, poor traction and
weighs a bit.  Because of this he can get up fast, but can't slow down quick
enough.  He's an effective killer and can go very fast, but when you need to
turn around in Gate Relays, he can be a very frustrating character to use due
to his lacking maneuverability.

2B: UNLOCKABLE CHARACTERS

NOTE: Stats were not taken from the book and were assessed by me.

Character Name: Whack Angus
Vehicle: Dragster
Primary Weapon: Dung Balls
Special Weapon: Clevers
Top Speed: Fast
Acceleration: Medium
Turning: Fair
Deceleration: Fair
Traction: Poor
Weight: Light

Whack Angus is a pissed off bull.  Much of his bretheren have been taken to the
slaughter house.  Because of this, Angus very much supports the vegan movement
and fights with much ire.  He can be unlocked by winning all 9 of the desert
levels (3 for each mode of gameplay).



  --------------------
/  SECTION 3: WEAPONS  \
------------------------

NOTE: Each weapon is rated out of five stars.  Weapons are also listed in no
particular order

Weapons are a fundamental part of this game.  Using them greatly increases your
chances of winning a battle.  It is also beneficial to master each weapon you
unlock.  Learn where the best places are to use the weapon, best situations,
which weapons are good and bad according to your playing level.  You can unlock
weapons for use on other levels by completing levels.  Should you complete a
level that has a weapon you have not yet unlocked, that will unlock the weapon,
in other words.

3A: Regular Weapons

Regular weapons are those that can be picked up by any character.  These you'll
see in the form of different signs and such around the arena.  Grabbing one
will immediately equip it and allow you to use it either until it runs out or
you grab another weapon.  Bear in mind that you can use your primary weapon
when you have any other weapon equipped.  This may help your weapon to last,
but it seems that primary weapons can be so weak that it really doesn't seem to
matter much anyway.

Axe
Rating: *****
Use: Instant kill
This is probably my favorite non-special weapon.  You swing it and it instantly
chops an opponent into pieces.  It can take out more than one character at a
time easily.  It's best used almost any time, but especially in situations
where everyone is grouped togehter or you are being persued.  I find this
weapon most beneficial in Smack Attack.

Cluster Bomb
Rating: ****
Use: Leave as a level hazard
The cluster bomb is a good weapon to set in places that get a lot of traffic. 
This drops out time bombs that explode after time or when someone runs over
one.  These can easily take out multiple characters in just one use.  However,
you only get one use per pick-up.  I find this weapon most beneficial in Gate
Relay mode.

Portable Hole
Rating: **
Use: Leave as a lever hazard
I'm actually not too fond of this weapon.  You throw a small, black hole and
any driver that drives over it is sucked in.  While this may sound like an
ideal weapon, it has its quirks.  You pretty much have to set this up in an
almost perfect position such as hallways or in front of passage ways.  It's
pretty unreliable and I usually don't aim to grab this weapon unless I have to.
 Effective in Gate Relays, however.

Broadside Cannon
Rating: **
Use: Instant kill, if positioned right
While I do give this one a low rating, it's still not incredibly bad.  This
weapon is mainly only good when you can get opponents on either side of you. 
This sets cannons up on either side of your vehicle and fires them on command. 
Sure, this can be effective in Gate Relays, but not so much in Smack Attack.

Chainsaw
Rating: ****
Use: Instant kill
Almost as good as the axe.  This is almost the same thing, actually, except
this one sweeps across rather than vertically.  It, too, cuts enemies into
bits.  Effective in Smack Attack mode.

Harpoon
Rating: ***
Use: Well-placed, long-range instant kill
This weapon is only good once you've actually mastered it.  This fires a
harpoon out that skewers your opponents and kills them.  This can skewer
multiple drivers, if used right.  There are two qualms I have with this.  One
is that your aim has to be almost perfect in order for this to be effective (or
you have to be really close), and the other being that it takes a while for
this to reload.  All the time that you are waiting to reload, others are
racking up their smack or trying to destroy you.  Needless to say, the harpoon
is best kept away from surrounding situations.  One upside to this is that it
will fetch you 15 smack per target.  10 for a successful shot and 5 after the
target is destroyed.  Best used in Smack Attack or Flag Rally.

Buzzsaw
Rating: ***
Use: Level hazard
This is good weapon to keep your opponents on their toes.  You basically let
one go and it'll run all around the battlefield.  Should it hit a target, said
target will be split in half.  This weapon, however, isn't incredibly reliable
though.  So, I say throw them almost immediately (have a bit of placement
involved, anyway) and just let them go; Grab another weapon.  Best used in any
mode.

Grenade
Rating: **
Use: Well-placed instant kill
I'm not too crazy about the grenade, as you can tell.  My main problem with
this weapon is that you pretty much have to have your opponent directly in
front of you for it to be effective.  This, as you can probably tell, launches
a grenade out to destroy nearby opponents.  It's best used in Smack Attack and
can be used effectively in the fray.

Chain Gun
Rating: *
Use: Seek and destroy
This is, without a doubt, the worst weapon in the entire game.  This installs a
chain gun on your vehicle which rapidly fires bullets.  It doesn't instantly
kill and just hitting with it doesn't even seem to bring up Smack at all.  You
basically have to have an enemy cornered and quite still in order for this to
be effective.  Fowl Mouth has a much better version of this called the tommy
gun.

Baseball Bat
Rating: ***
Use: Rack up smack/Knock opponent away
This isn't the best melee weapon, but it's not bad.  This swings a bat left to
right.  This can be effective in Smack Attack levels with pits, as it can
launch your opponent right to the pit.  In terms of racking smack, though, this
weapon can be a bit ineffective.  I've noticed it's also good for throwing
opponents off course in Gate Relays.

Freeze Ray
Rating: ****
Use: Slow down
This is not my least favorite weapon, but it's down there close.  I've had
early on complaints with this weapon, but someone called Cadaverian on GameFAQs
pointed out how to really use it.  I do feel a bit dumb for not realizing this
to begin with, but eh... Such is life.  Anyway, you can freeze characters with
this weapon, then throw your primary weapon at them and cause them to shatter. 
Sounds easy, but you can be interupted if there are others around.  Effective
in Smack Attack and Gate Relay.

Boxing Gloves
Rating: *****
Use: Rack up smack
This is probably my favorite Smack-racker.  This installs some boxing-gloved
hands on your vehicle which punch the crap out of anyone in your way.  This
weapon can be cheap because it can be rapidly used.  By rapidly pushing A, you
can crank up your Smack (crank and smack used in the same sentence and it has
NOTHING to do with drugs, LOOK AT THAT!!!) quickly.  I find this weapon best
used in Smack Attack, of course.

Vacuum
Rating: ***
Use: Take away weapon/flags or disturb relay placement
This weapon is a lot like the Woodchipper, except less destructive.  This sucks
opponents into a little vacuum on the front of your vehicle, assuming they're
close enough.  What's good about this is that any flags the person is carrying
will transfer over to you.  It's a decent weapon, but it's by no means a
destructive one.  If the opponent you use it on doesn't have any special
weapons or flags, it's almost worthless (unless you're trying to build Smack). 
Best used in Flag Rally.

Gunship
Rating: ***
Use: Seek and destroy or getting over cliffs/drop-offs
This will add chopper blades to your vehicle and temporarily give it flying
capability.  You can also use high-powered guns to gun down your enemies.  This
seems to be like a much more effective version of the chain gun.  I suggest
using this to hunt down your targets.  Best used in Smack Attack mode.

Spring
Rating: *
Use: Jump ahead and effect surrounding opponents
I hate this weapon.  This gives you a little boost by springing you into the
air.  Landing on or around enemies causes damage, but good luck hitting
effectively.  I find this also to be uneffective in Gate Relay and Flag Rally. 
Best left alone, if you want my opinion.

Rocket Booster
Rating: ***
Use: Boosting ahead or getting rid of a huge group
With this weapon, you can jet rocket yourself incredibly fast across the
battlefield with the R Trigger.  You can also launch the rocket with the A
Button and cause a huge explosion.  It's not always effective, though.  Best
used in almost any mode, actually.


3B: SPECIAL WEAPONS

Mortar
Rating: ***
Use: Long-range instant kill
Violet's Special Weapon.  Not bad, but has a major downer.  You need distance. 
You see, this launches bombs a good distance away and kills any enemies it
comes into contact with.  If you're too close, then it really doesn't work
well.  Effective in Smack Attack and Flag Rally.

Woodchipper
Rating: *****
Use: Short-range instant kill
Sinder's Special Weapon.  Very effective and used best in the fray during a
Smack Attack.  This is a close range weapon that sucks opponents into a grinder
and grinds them to bits.  The only downside is that you have to get close.

Tommy Gun
Rating: ****
Use: Smack racking/killing
Fowl Mouth's Special Weapon.  The reason I call this one an instant death is
that it actually can kill seemingly right away.  This is a better version of
the chain gun that seems to be much more effective in taking opponents out. 
Best used in any mode.

Dynamite Crossbow
Rating: ***
Use: Destruction
Dominique Trix's Special Weapon.  While this doesn't instantly kill, it does
ensure death.  This fires an arrow into a driver's vehicle that will detonate
after a given amount of time.  The downside to this is that the driver actually
gets a grace period before it explodes.  You also need fairly good aiming for
this weapon.  Effective in Gate Relay, but you must be patient.

Clevers
Rating: ***
Use: Long-range kill
Whack Angus' Special Weapon.  Imagine having an axe you can actually throw. 
That's what this is.  However, it only goes out straight.  This is a meat
clever that Angus throws that can take out opponents that are a little ways off
effectively.  Best used in Gate Relay.

  -----------------------
/  SECTION 4: GAME MODES  \
---------------------------

Before, I compared this game to Unreal Tournament in that this game has
different modes with different winning objectives.  If you get killed during
the matches, you are respawned right back into the fray.  There are three
different types of matches on this game: Smack Attack, Gate Relay, and Flag
Rally.

4A: SMACK ATTACK

Smack Attack seems like something directly out of an online deathmatch FPS game
such as Tribes or Unreal Tournament.  However, this mode is not directly set up
to necessarily kill as much as you can (although you can "kill" your other
opponents, it is not necessary).  The major objective here is to gain as many
points (or Smacks) off your other opponents as possible.  You gain Smacks by
damaging your opponents with the different weapons you are given.  The first
one to gain 500 Smack is the winner.  Which means if you don't get to 500
Smack, someone else will and you'll have to begin the battle over again.

Part of being successful in this mode relies on a few different factors:
1) What weapons you grab- Some weapons are very effective in building you Smack
(like the axe), while others tend to be a bit unreliable (like the hole).
2) Jumping into the fray- I pretty much refer to "the fray" as the area where
most of your opponents have congregated.  If you avoid most enemies, chances
are you're not going to build up too much Smack.  While this may not guarantee
you to gain Smack (as you will be surrounded), it is a good way to get it as
your Smack up because there are more victims around.  This means that you
probably should just chase after one person too often if said individual is far
off from the rest.
3) Proper use of special weapon- Know what situations your weapon would be good
in and how to use it effectively.  Each character has an incredibly effective
weapon, but not all can be used in the same instances.  For example, Violet's
special weapon is best used from a distance, where Sinder's is best used up
close.

One thing that I feel is worth noting is that different types of weapons build
Smack in different ways.  Hitting enemies with Smack-racking weapons may only
do it one or so point at a time (usually more), but there are some weapons like
the boxing gloves that can actually build Smack quite quickly.  Mainly, the
type of Smack-rackers you want are ones that hit very quickly and very often;
Ones you can get really cheap with.  You can get very cheap with the gloves
because you can hit enemies a hell of a lot with them, as well as even corner
them and continue to rack a ton of Smack on just one character.  Some weapons
can instantly kill your opponents.  Instant death weapons can be very effective
as well.  Most of them will give you about 5-10 Smack for killing one enemy. 
An example of a great instant death weapon would have to be the axe.  This can
hit multiple characters, assuming there's more than one nearby, and thus allow
you to rack up tons of Smack.  The fact that these weapons actually kill is
both a blessing and a curse, however.  A blessing in that it gets them away
from you and gives you more Smack to your score, but a curse in that they will
probably respawn further away from you, meaning that you'll have to hunt them
down.

4B: GATE RELAY

What driving game is complete without a racing mode?  This is the closest to a
race you're actually going to get.  In this mode, two gates are position at two
ends of each arena.  Driving through one gate will give you a point. 
Naturally, you cannot drive through the same gate twice.  So, you must drive
across the other side of the arena and go through the other gate.  The major
emphasis in this is not necessarily aggression, although aggression does help. 
The major emphasis in this is speed and precision (in terms of handling). 
You'll need the speed to get ahead of your opponents and the precision to slow
down and angle your vehicle properly such that you do not peel out too much. 
Peeling out could cause you to lose a bit of distance between you and anyone
behind you, allowing them to get ahead of you.  The first one to get twenty
points is the winner.

Weapons are very useful in this mode.  However, it probably isn't a good idea
to go out of your way for all the best stuff.  Different weapons can be
effective in different areas of the race.  You may also find that there are
some that really aren't useful at all.  Gaining Smack is useless in this type
of a match.  However, attacking can be important.  You see, weapons will stymie
your opponents just long enough to give you a lead, especially if the weapon
kills them.  Making an opponent take time to respawn can be quite effective. 
You will have to deal with very chaotic situations in races, particularly in
ones where the racers will group up and congest areas.  There are also certain
weapons that can be very effective in these cases.  This is where the game can
also get very frustrating.

4C: FLAG RALLY

Flag Rally does not start out readily available.  In order to unlock this mode,
you must complete 4 Smack Attack or Gate Relay matches.

Flag Rally is probably my favorite type of event on this game.  This actually
tends to emphasize almost every point of the game.  You must be aggressive to
get all the flags before anyone else and take out characters whenever need be,
you must be fast to grab the flags in a hurry and get away, and you must be a
good driver to dodge any dangers that may come your way.

The gist of this mode is this: You are on the screen with all the other divers,
starting at random positions.  Scattered about the screen are a few little
flags running around (yes, running around- they have feet!).  The object is to
snag four flags and head to a designated area (which you just can't miss as it
is a huge pole with a bit light on it) to win.  Now, when I say four flags, I
mean you must be carrying all four at the same time.  This does not mean you
can go grab one, then take it to the circle.  You must have all four.  If you
are killed, you lose all flags.  If you are hit with various non-killing
weapons, you lose one flag at a time.

Your opponents, of course, win the exact same way.  So, they're pretty much
going to go straight after the flags as well.  Not only do you want to concern
youself with grabbing all the flags, but you also want to make sure your
opponent doesn't win.  In doing this, you must cause him or her to lose his/her
flags before they can reach the winner's area.  This means you must stay well
equipped.  While you can cause them to lose just one flag at a time using
primary weapons, it's a whole lot easier just to use other weapons and
specials.  It should be well noted that the Vacuum comes quite handy in this
mode, as any flags a character is holding when he or she is vacuumed will go
straight to you.  The opposite is true if someone should happen to vacuum you.

Keep your ears open.  You will most likely, through the course of a match, hear
a strange tone.  This means that an opponent somewhere has gotten four flags. 
This is also where your radar comes very handy.  You can look on your radar to
see which character it is.  That character will have a star of sorts around
their head.  Also keep your eye on the radar for the flags.  They can be most
easily found using the radar.

  -----------------
/  SECTION 5: TIPS  \
---------------------

5A: LEVEL TIPS

Each level is different.  Obvious, succinct, applicable to almost any game, but
very much true. Because of this, I feel that each level also has its own
particular strategy.  So, that's why I've given tips and strategies for each
level.  I guess you could say this is the closest thing to an actual
walkthrough as you can really get.  The main reason that a walkthrough for this
game might seem in some ways awkward is that this game is pretty non-linear and
you really can't give a person descript places to go on each level at a given
time.  Each level is, in a sense, an impromptu job.  You start the level and
work with what fate gives you.  Those who can work effectively off what they
are given are the ones who usually succeed.  It seems that one word also comes
to mind when I think of success in this game: Domination.  One of the best ways
to win is to be aggressive and dominate the match.  While sure, all out
aggression isn't the best way through, it does help a lot.  Take every chance
you get to push another opponent down.  In Smack Attack, always beat the living
crap out of the other drivers.  In Gate Relay, push yourself to the end.  Just
because you've fallen back doesn't mean you should just give up right way.  Use
what weapons you are given to push the others back behind and you keep them
there.  Just because you are in the lead doesn't mean you should use weapons. 
However, you also shouldn't persue the other opponents too much in Gate Relays
either.  In Flag Relay, always go after a flag regardless as to whether or not
someone may be close to the flag.  Attack and destroy everyone, regardless as
to whether or not they actually do have a flag.

1: Smack Attack
It's been stated before.  The best way to win a Smack Attack is to dominate. 
Take every chance you can to inflict punishment on your opponents.  Favoring a
particular weapon can also be a fatal mistake.  You should work with what
you're given and only grab other weapons if they happen to be nearby.  It's
like the old saying goes, "Beggars can't be choosers."   If you don't like a
weapon, it may not be necessarily wise to avoid it.  If you can find a better
weapon that's incredibly close by, though, that could be a different story.

Pay attention closely to what's in your environment that could be of use to
you.  There are signs that you can knock over that will cause certain
environmental stimuli to activate and damage other opponents.  For example,
there is one level in which knocking down a bullseye sign will cause a train to
come out and destroy anything in its path.

-DESERT LEVELS-

<<<<<Wild Wooly West>>>>>
There really isn't much of a strategy to apply here.  I find that this was more
or less designed to be a beginner's level.  All you really have to do is be
aggressive.  Stay in the fray whereever it may be.  Take out anybody at the
drop of a dime.  There should be plenty of weapons laying around in this level,
especially the axe (which can be unlocked through this level).  I highly
recommend doing this level first above all not only because it unlocks the axe,
but it also norms you with the game's controls and gameplay basics.  The only
things really worth acknowledging are that there are two traps set up in this
level.  One of them is a small exploding building inside a small loop along one
wall.  This can be activated through knocking over a sign near it.  This thing
can actually work to your advantage or disadvantage.  You could explode the
building on others to gain Smack, but others can do the same for you.  There is
also another such environmental hazard that can work for or against you.  This
is the train.  There is a sign near a sign near one of the train tunnels.  This
calls the train out to destroy anything in its path.  All in all, I only
recommend you destroy things by any means possible.

<<<<<Death Valley>>>>>
This is another easy level, but that doesn't mean you should treat it like a
downhill coast.  You should still stay aggressive.  If you aren't out there
damaging other characters, someone else is, which means they're stealing your
thunder.  The best way to get around this is simple.  Fight.  Stay as close to
the fray as you can.  Don't get be too picky with weapons here, but one thing I
should note is that it seems that the harpoon seems quite ineffective in this
level.  It's a bit hard to get a good aim on the characters because most of the
straightaways don't last very long.  Take notice to a few things in the
environment.  First, there's a magnet on one side of the cliff that can be
activated by using the sign below it.  This will put you up on a cliff that
can't be reached by normal means.  Here is where your special weapon is.  I've
noticed that Sinder is a good character for this level since everything is
tightly crunched in.  You can grab the special weapon here on the cliff and
chew everyone to bits.

You may also notice that there's three ways to get across the valley easily. 
One of them is a regular land bridge that has no traps, although it is simple
to force opponents off here (and yes, you do get smack for forcing opponents
off the edge on this level, but you have to be the one responsible).  There are
two other ways across.  One is a bridge that has a trap door on it.  Hitting
one of the bullseye signs near the bridge will activate the trap door and thus
cause anyone who drives over it to fall.  You will also gain Smack if anyone
should fall when you activate it.  It is worth noting that just because the
door is open doesn't mean you can't get over.  If drive all the way to one side
of the bridge, you can actually cross on the little piece of bridge that's
left.  Just make sure that you're scrunched over far enough or you could fall. 
I actually do recommend you drive that way across this bridge whether it is
open or not, mainly because you never know when it will open.  To the furthest
side of the bridge is another path that you can use to cross the valley, except
this has a huge weight above it.  Of course, there are signs you can use to
activate this weight and drop it on unsuspecting victims.  However, this is not
an efficient way to gain Smack.  I would mainly only use this if the situation
permits.  It seems to be much more effective to just run around and beat
everyone up.  On the side of the valley opposite the manget is also a small
cave you can enter.  There is a path here that takes you upward through the
cave where you can find a special weapon and an exit.  That makes two areas in
particular in which you can find a special weapon.  Keep those locations in
mind as they can be helpful and even beneficial towards winning this match.

<<<<<Mesa Madness>>>>>
There isn't a whole lot to note here, either.  There are a few environmental
things that should be brought to your attention.  You should notice a huge,
natural ramp in the very middle of the battlefield.  You can use this to throw
you over to a small, secluded area where you can find a special weapon.  To get
back off this little area, there should be a rock positioned diagonally and
pointing back toward the battlefield.  In front of this rock is a natural
pillar with a stone one it.  Position yourself at one end and the stone will
fall off the pillar and launch you back onto the battlefield.  There is also a
compactor that can be activated in this level.  It doesn't seem to cause much
damage, though.  As always, being aggressive should be an objective in this
battle.  I've also found that one of the best places to put cluster bombs or
holes is right underneath the ramp, as that area gets a lot of traffic.

-JUNGLE LEVELS-

<<<<<Swamp Stomp>>>>>
This level is practically all about environment and almost nothing but.  While
the level's layout really doesn't matter until you actually race here, it's
environment is noteworth in this section at least.  There really aren't any
strategies I can give you on this level that you can't gain from others. 
Again, aggression is the key.  Take notice to the two ponds on either side of
the level.  Both of those ponds have deadly alligators in them.  Worry not,
they're easy to dodge and can also be attacked with your various weapons. 
There is also a tree here that has a hole in it.  Going into that hole will
take to a higher part of the level.  Also take note of the vines.  Should you
jump just right on the ramp, you can grab hold of one vine and actually jump
from it by pushing the B button.  Other than that, there isn't much to this
level at all.


  ----------------
/  SECTION 6: FAQ  \
--------------------

Q: Is there really a difference in characters you play as?
A: Yes indeed.  Some of them do handle different and drive at different speeds.
 However, it should be noted that the differences aren't quite as radical as
those in Twisted Metal.

Q: How do you unlock new levels or weapons?
A: Completing certain events.  For instance, if you don't have cluster bombs
activated, but you go into an event that has cluster bombs in it and complete
the event, you can unlock cluster bombs for every level.

Q: What would you say are the best weapons?
A: In terms of non-specials, I'd say the axe and the boxing gloves.  There are
some others that are pretty good, but those two are my personal favorites.

Q: Are there any hidden characters?
A: Yes.

Q: How do you unlock them?
A: By completing every level in a character's area.  For example, to unlock
Whack Angus you must complete all of the desert levels in Smack Attack, Flag
Rally, and Gate Relay.

Q: Is this game worth the $20 it's currently slated for?
A: Yes.

Q: Is this just another Twisted Metal clone?
A: No, it's quite different actually.  See Section 1B for more.

Q: Do you unlock anything special for complete every level on every mode?
A: No.  I just did so today and I didn't get squat!  I did unlock Brian, but
that was only because I had completed all of his areas.

Q: How do you unlock special weapons for regular usage?
A: According to CodeHunter64, you must finish every level with a given
character to unlock his or her special weapon.  For instance, if you finish all
36 levels with Whack Angus, you will unlock the Cleavers as a regular weapon. 
Now, there's a question as to whether or not this is truly worth doing.  That
is up to you, but remember this: If you want to unlock every special weapon,
you'll pretty much have to do 360 levels (so to speak).  That's 10 characters,
3 modes with 12 levels, making 36 levels per character.  Yep, that's a lot! 
Personally, I would say only do it with your favorite characters or ones you're
really good with.

Q: Aside from the four level-bound hidden characters, are there any others?
A: I don't think so.  There are no special weapons for any other characters on
the weapon screen that I've noticed.

Q: How does this differ from the Xbox version?
A: Wouldn't know.  Don't own an Xbox, nor have I played that version.

Q: How do you unlock Flag Rally Mode?
A: Complete any four Smack Attack or Gate Relay levels.

  ----------------------
/  SECTION 7: LEGAL BIT  \
--------------------------

This FAQ is copyright 2001 to Joe Shaffer, aka BoredGamer.  Any use of this FAQ
for commercial purposes in any way, shape, or form without confirmed consent of
the author is strictly prohibited.  This can be used for personal use and
freely distributed, as long as there is no profit being made off the FAQ
without my approval before hand (this includes magazines).  This also cannot be
posted on any websites without my solid approval.  Any failure to comply with
said premises can, and probably will, result in legal actions.

  ----------------------------------
/  SECTION 8: THANK YOU AND GOODBYE  \
--------------------------------------

Thanks to the following

Jeff "CJayC" Veasey and GameFAQs.

Everyone at NeoSeeker.

EA Games for Cel Damage.

Chris and Cheat Happens.

CodeMaster64 for the information on unlocking special weapons.

Cadaverian for giving some info on the Freeze Ray.

(c) Joe Shaffer 2002
