</s>Speedball 2 Tips (Contains Spoilers!) <br/>
Ok, as promided, here's my 'lethal formula' upgrade route. This has been tested four times during last week and yesterday, so I know it works. My advice would be to PRINT this out (or at least the upgrade route bits) so that you can refer back to it without interupting your game. It assumes you collect the maximum coins per level: which is 1100 credits (i.e. 11 coins collected). You can collect up to 15 before the game stops producing them, but only the first 11 give you any cash. (sorry for any typos) <br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Match 1 <br/>
T -> Speed (max) Aggression (max) (aggression is very cheap!) <br/>
I -> <br/>
Goal, Intelligence, Defence (max) (305 credits remaining) <br/>
CMID, Defence, Attack, Power (max) <br/>
LWNG, Defence, Attack (max) <br/>
LMID, Defence, Attack, Power (max) <br/>
LDEF, Defence, Attack (max) (5 credits remaining) <br/>
<br/>
Notes: The general theme of this match is stamina, as it will be a tough battle to begin with. From the drop down, push forward and press fire rapidly to grab the ball, then throw it left. Use your LeftMid player to grab the ball and rebound the thing off the wall, taking down a few stars in the process. Aim for the score multiplyer ramp and get at least one light lit. Try to throw the ball from below the score multiplier if you're going up the field, or from above it if going down the field during the second half. Then either go for a full set of stars or go for the ball charger and throw the red hot ball towards to goalie from any angle. When you have 40 or 50 points, head for the coins. Just throw the ball to the fastest player you have (which will be the centre and left players from now on) and run with the ball zig-zagging towards your own players and avoiding the opposition. Learn to zone out of your player and zone into the coins as they come into view, and try to collect them in a round-about route. If you go for coins directly, the oppontents will often collect them before you do. Either audibly count the coins off as you collect them, or collect as many as you can until they either stop coming or the time runs out. You can allow the other team to score x3 times without any problems. If they look like they are going for x2 multiplyers, just don't let them score any more goals!. There is no harm (usually, except maybe during the first two matches...) heading towards the goal mouth of the opposition and just wandering around looking for coins. Unless you directly head towards the gaolie, the other team will get confused and leave you alone. If you want to score, just lure the goalie out and then run around him and score. Whenever you have the ball, and as long as you dont throw the ball by mistake, this upgrade route will ensure your players will have maximum defence, which means the opposition can never steal the ball away from you UNLESS they slide tackle, or UNLESS you throw it. Going for speed boots, freeze icons, 'Z's, and Star icons will help you. Collecting the armour upgrades can be helpful, but the rest of the icons aren't worth bothering with. If it's a choice between an icon or a coin, go for the coin, unless you already have enough. If the opposition get within 10 points of your lead, it's time to switch back to making points. As said above, this 'lethal formula' route assumes you collect 11 coins (or more) in every game. <br/>
<br/>
Match 2 <br/>
T -> Defence (max - up to 140 - you should get a stats boost) <br/>
T -> Speed, Attack (max) <br/>
T -> Agression (x1! up to 140) (another stats boost) (175 credits remaining) <br/>
I -> <br/>
CMID, Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
LWNG, Speed, Agression (max) <br/>
LMID, Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max), Intelligence (x2) (45 remining) <br/>
LDEF, Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max) (5 remaining) <br/>
<br/>
Aggression is the key. As you will not be able to out run the opponents, it's time to hone the tactics mentioned above. This match will be tough if you let the reds get x2 multipliers, so get x1 blue light or more before you attempt to do anything. If you want to go for stars, go for x4 stars while everything is quiet, then go for the miltiplier lights before you collect your 5th star to ramp up the bonus. If you have to get x5 stars with no multipliers, just one goal from the opposition could wipe you out, so avoid doing anything unless you are x1 or x2. Learn to avoid the multiplyer ramps at this stage if the enemy is hogging them, or switch to the one on the other side. Score maybe 50-60 points before going for the coins. <br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Match 3 <br/>
T -> Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
T -> Throw, Power, Stamina, Intelligence (x1 each!) - gives stats boost) (should have 165 remaining) <br/>
I -> <br/>
CMID, Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
LWNG, Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
LMID, Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
LDEF, Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max) (5 remaining) <br/>
<br/>
Speed is the key. Now you have your first taste of speed, use it to throw the ball top-left direction from the go, and use either the ball charger/energy ball technique and go straight for the goalie, or get at least x5 stars before you do anything. Then go for the multipliers, get more score, then it's back to the coins. If you are in the area of the enemy goal, remember to ignore the goalie as you go for coins, but as soon as the goalie comes out (or you get behind him) remember to lob the ball into the goal for more score. This will freeze the time as you wait for the reformation and another kick off, and will also show you where the coins are in that half of the field. If you get stuck at one end of the field or another, remember that a goal (even an own goal) will send you back to the middle. Score at least 50 points before going for coins. <br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Match 4 <br/>
T -> Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
T -> Throw, Power, Stamina, Intelligence (x1 each!) - gives stats boost) <br/>
I -> <br/>
CMID, Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
LWNG, Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
RMID, Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
LMID, Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
LDEF, Defence, Speed. (max) (zero credits remaining) <br/>
<br/>
Get the x1 or x2 multipliers as soon as possible, and before doing anything else. Then leave the area well alone as the enemy will quicky get x2 lights of their own if you let them. Never approach the goal head-on unless you have the power-ball effect, rather, run around the goalie without throwing the ball until the last moment. At this stage, it is important to collect the coins on the move, and even as you are going for goals or stars. Learn to veer diagonally up and down the field, changing direct rapidly to thorw off the guy behind you, and collecting the coins on the way to more points. <br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Match 5 <br/>
T -> Defence, Speed, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
T -> Power (x4 - gives stats boost) <br/>
T -> Speed (max - up to 180) (185 credit remaining) <br/>
I -> <br/>
GOAL, Intelligence, Power, Defence, Attack, Aggression (max - up to 180) <br/>
CMID, Defence, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
LWNG, Defence, Aggression (max) <br/>
LMID, Defence, Attack, AAggression (max) <br/>
LDEF, Defence, Attack, Aggression (max) (5 credits remaining) <br/>
<br/>
Defence is a good tactic here, and we'll upgrade the goalie in preparation for this. From now on, the goalie will be more able to save goals and deflect attacks, and by this level the enemy will be keen to challenge him. Get some early goals, then start with the coins. If the opposition scores, get x2 more goals or x5 stars and carry on with the coins. At all costs, keep them away from your goal. Remember your goalie will be rock hard, so use him to grab any coins around the goal mouth area with him still holding the ball, then throw it diagonally to a friendly. The CPU players are not so good at going for diagonal passed as they are straight up and down ones, so play on this factor. Always jump to catch the ball rather than have it land somewhere. <br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Match 6 <br/>
T -> Agression, Defence, Attack (max) <br/>
T -> Throw, Power, Stamina, Intelligence (x1) - gives stats boost) <br/>
T -> Speed (max) (165 credits remaining) <br/>
I -> <br/>
CMID, Defence, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
LWNG, Defence, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
LMID, Defence (max) (105 credits remaining - save this for Match 7!) <br/>
<br/>
You should be getting towards being indestructable. Against Damocles you have time to master not only running fast and your zig-zag technique, but also your ramming power to get the ball back from the reds. Learn to use your selected player to go for the coins instead of the ball first, and then run for the opponent who picked up the ball and ram him over. This skill will become more vital from now on, so getting the ball back quickly is a good thing to learn in this game. Score at least 30 points before going for coins. <br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Match 7 <br/>
(1205 coins in the bank) <br/>
T -> Aggression, Defence, Attack (max) <br/>
T -> Intelligence (x4) - gives stats boost) <br/>
T -> Speed (max up to 200) (110 credits remaining) <br/>
I -> <br/>
CMID, Defence, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
LMID, Defence, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
LWNG, Defence, Attack, Aggression (max) <br/>
LDEF, Defence, Attack, Aggression (max) (10 credits remaining) <br/>
<br/>
Steel Fury are harder than you may think. If going for stars, just get x10 (x2 sets) as soon as you can, even ignoring the score multiplyer if you have to. If you go for the multiplyer ramp, use every means to bash up the red player in front of you before you throw the ball into the machine, and then hit the same guy again as the ball emerges to make sure you get it back. Then throw the ball up the field to your front winger and head back to the stars - throwing at them carefully and horizontally. With any luck, your LeftMid will take care of some enemies for you while you work the stars. If you think you'll get the ball robbed, learn to run out into the field and do a small loop straight back to the stars, to help shake off any reds on your back. When you have the x2 sets of stars, go you the coins and avoid the goal areas. <br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Match 8 <br/>
T -> Defence, Attack, Aggression, Power (max) <br/>
T -> Stamina (x1) (gives stats boost) <br/>
T -> Defence, Speed (max) (100 credits remaining) <br/>
I -> <br/>
CMID, Aggression, Attack (max) <br/>
LMID, Aggression, Attack (max) <br/>
LWNG, Aggression, Attack (max) <br/>
LDEF, Aggression, Attack (max) <br/>
GOAL, Intelligence (max), Agression (max) (5 credits remaining) <br/>
<br/>
Now things are getting fast! Use your agression to ram over any guy in your ways and get three goals with x2 multiplier score before going for coins. Score another goal if they score one, and match them like that if they score any more. Otherwise, this is another zig-zag token hunt. <br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Match 9 <br/>
T -> Agression, Attack (max) <br/>
T - Power (max) <br/>
T -> Intelligence (x2), Stamina (x1) (gives stats boost) <br/>
T -> Speed (max) <br/>
T -> Intelligence (x1) (zero credits remaining) <br/>
<br/>
By now you should have mastered the art of throwing either diagonal top left or left from the start if faceing up the field, or diagonal-bottom right if facing down the field. Then collecting just one multiplier and going for either the stars or the goals. The chances are that you will also be adept at collecting coins on the fly, but make sure to have maybe 40 points before prioritising the coins completely. You can allow the reds to score twice if you need to, but just keep going for the coins. Don't be surprised if you start thrashing the opposition and running out of coins to collect by this stage. If this happens, try experimenting with the power domes. If you hit them at close quarters from just to the side of them, you can rack up 10 or 20 points in seconds. This is the fastest and yet the hardest way to get points. Otherwise, just clean up the powerups. <br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Match 10 <br/>
T -> Defence, Attack, Aggression, Power, Throw, Stamina (x1) gives stats boost) <br/>
T -> Speed, Defence, Aggression (20 credits remaining) <br/>
<br/>
No words can convey how easy this level is. I tend to go for coins first, and then get some points only during the second half of the first 90 seconds. Learn to observe your team, and play for those freeze icons to hoover up that cash. <br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Match 11 <br/>
T -> Attack, Power (max) <br/>
T -> Intelligence (x3 - up to 230) (300 credits remaining) <br/>
T -> Speed, Defence, Agression (maX) (40 remaining) <br/>
<br/>
Getting slightly harder again. From here you must consentrate on scoring maximum points in the shortest time in preparation for the final game (x4 games away from here). The upgrade route is almost done. Just go for team stamina and throwing skills and you'll soon max out the stats table at 240. You'll start to injure the opposition now, so hammer into those guys if getting stuck on the multiplier, until they drop to the floor in pools of blood. As soon as you collect the stamina before Match 12 or 13, you'll be virtually indestructable, but again remember not to throw the ball around too often and aim carefully. Thats it. <br/>
<br/>
edit: oh yeah, and remember, as soon as you max out your guys to 240, learn to ignore! all the coins. <br/>
Its hard to remember this - but you gotta let that cash go.<e>