Timing and precision of controls is vital to staying in the lead.

Acceleration: on a game pad, the trigger is used, but don't just press it all the way down.. go slow until you get a sense of speed and how to handle the curves. Pressing the trigger only half-way will usually let you match speed with another racer, so you can do some melee.

Nitros: When you see a bridge up ahead, that's a good time to use the nitro boost, because the road will be nice and straight!

Attacks: The best offense starts with a good defense. Get ready to block an attack, and then counter the attack. Eventually, learn to switch to a sword, when the rider loses a helmet, so you can get the bonus.

Hand-brake: When you see the turn signs > > > then it is time to tap the hand-brake so you don't go flying off the road.

You can practice the controls without enemies in an empty multiplayer server, so you can get a sense of the bike's acceleration.

The soundtrack is fantastic, but it gets in the way of hearing the vital combat action. Turn the music all the way off, until you master the basic gameplay. Road Redemption does a good job giving you audio cues about attacks and the resulting chaos, but it only works when you can hear them.

This was really the biggest help for me, at least.

You can also hear the speed gears change on your bike. This will give you a better sense for your current speed. You won't want to go around tight turns in the top gear.

Your early goal is completing two races, so you have 200 experience points for an upgrade.

There are actually different types of races. When the crosshairs are above the Reapers, then you must slay as many as needed. The race will end when they are defeated. When the place numbers 1st 2nd 3rd are above the riders, then you must be one of the first three across the finish. If neither symbols appear, then it is a rare timed level, so just floor it and avoid combat. Strive to learn the necessary proportions of speed and violence that will meet the objective.

Health is a real struggle. Many takedowns will grant you more health, especially riders with the red and white cross. Other takedowns will grant you experience points or money. You will need all of these.

More on health: you lose your health to melee combat, not spectacular bike crashes. Use your defense button.

Once you can get 200 experience points reliably, then you can grind your way through the experience point perks. Onward to victory!