Having recently obtained a fast time in Tournament Mode (NG), I've decided to create a guide for newer runners to follow to ensure they complete their Tournament as fast as possible. This guide contains details for both starting characters and unlockable ones, and will detail each character's strengths/weaknesses, their stats and an upgrade guide for each character.

Since each race will most likely be completed without a KO, you will only be able to choose 4 stats to upgrade for each character, which is why I have made this guide to help you optimise your choices for each character.

[Starting Characters] Anakin Skywalker

What would a game based on podracing be without the poster boy of the prequels? Anakin Skywalker retains his signature pod from Star Wars: Episode I Racer, though you can see he has grown up quite a bit since his last appearance.

Anakin's stats before upgrades are quite balanced, making him a great choice for newer runners. As well as this, his initial top speed is higher than most of the starting characters. Unfortunately, whilst his initial defense may look quite high his podracer has a weak chassis and as such doesn't like to take many hits. Anakin works best if you fully upgrade the following stats in this order:

1: Acceleration (to recover from crashes you may have due to his initial handling) 2: Handling (some of the later courses can be a struggle for Anakin without upgrading this stat!) 3: Cooling (so that you can boost more) 4: Top Speed (This will come into effect during the Nightlands. If you haven't made any upgrades to this stat by then, you might find yourself losing more than you would like.)

If you manage to get any KOs with Anakin, I'd personally recommend using the extra truguts (cash) to upgrade the above stats faster. If any cash is spare after those stats are upgraded, upgrade your ability to repair. Repairing a podracer slows it down considerably whilst the damage is being fixed, so the faster your repairs can be finished, the better it is for your NG+ run.

Occo Ninebar

You might think Occo is wearing a pair of headphones. In actuality, those are Occo's specially made goggles for racing.

Occo has the best initial acceleration of all the starting characters, tied only by Ben Quadinaros. (We'll get to him later.) Occo also has the highest initial repair stat of the starter characters. However, what Occo's podracer has in acceleration and repairing it lacks in the other stats, espeecially defense.