2017-11-08T13:56:56 01:00

Need for Speed Payback tuning: Speedcards tips - how to pimp your cars

Need for Speed Payback takes a new and somewhat unusual approach to tuning. In the following we will explain how tuning works and how you can get the maximum out of your cars. It doesn't matter if you want to pimp standard cars or one of the five wrecks that are hidden in the game world.

Performance Tuning

In order to improve the performance of your cars, you need so-called Speedcards, as we have already briefly touched upon in the beginner's tips for Need for Speed Payback. These are quasi collectible cards that are available for six different parts of the cars. They differ in terms of their performance and possible bonuses.

How to collect Speedcards

Win racing events. At the end of each challenge you can draw one of three cards.
You can buy speedcards in tuning stores, provided you have enough cash.
Unused Speedcards can be exchanged for Tokens. With three of these tokens, you'll be allowed to spin once at the one-armed bandit, where you can specify comparatively specifically what kind of speedcard you need in Need for Speed Payback.
You can also earn tokens via deliveries (which you get when you level up or can buy for real money), which you can invest in Speedcards.

The categories of Speedcards

Exhaust
Block
Gearbox
Head
Control unit
Turbo

Within these categories you can purchase speedcards. They improve (or worsen) horsepower, top speed and so on in Need for Speed Payback, so don't rush to install them.

The three most important tips about Speedcards

Buying speedcards in Need for Spees Payback's tuning store can quickly become quite expensive. You should only consider it if it is absolutely necessary. Rather, try to earn cards via racing events. If necessary, you can also compete again in races you've already completed to get new cards.
When it comes to cards, you should make sure that you somehow equip three cards of the same brand (the One-Armed Bandit may help here). As soon as you equip three cards of the same manufacturer, you will get an extra bonus and you will be able to get such extra bonuses twice. In addition to the bonuses that the cards themselves bring.
Some cards have a perk on top of their actual values. For example, they offer a bonus on a certain value - like speed, brakes or nitro. These are naturally preferable in Need for Speed Payback.

Optical tuning

The optical tuning doesn't affect the performance of your cars, but it belongs to a Need for Speed like the word exhaust scandal to a diesel car.

Here, there are several subcategories of embellishments, as we already explained at the end of October, when we presented you the pimping options in detail.

The following options are available:

Vanity Items

These are gimmicks that, for example, determine the sound of the horn, enable new underbody lighting or change the color of the smoke - that your tires leave behind. You get these items via deliveries, which you can buy for level-ups or for real money in Need for Speed Payback.

Paint & Co.

In terms of external appearance, there are no limits to your imagination. Here you can choose the paint color at will, cover the car with all sorts of foils (even including the windshield), select patterns and so on. It is also theoretically possible to use your own graphics.

Wheel camber adjustment

You want your race cars to be lowered to the maximum? Or that the tires are mounted in a certain angle? You can customize all of this in the garage. However, these settings only have visual and no gameplay effects.

Tuning parts

The heart of visual tuning, and the part you'll probably spend most of your time with in Need for Speed Payback's garage and its open game world, is choosing and installing tuning parts.

From the rear spoiler to the license plate holder, you can change everything to your liking. Unlike in the predecessor Need for Speed, you are not bound to predefined kits. Whereas in the past a kit here and there meant that you couldn't work on some parts, now everything is open in Need for Speed Payback.

However, there is one limitation: At the beginning of the racing game, you don't have too many options to customize your cars according to your wishes. This is not only because you don't have enough cash for new parts. It's also because some tuning categories have to be unlocked through tasks in the game world.

For example, you have to complete three jumps in the open world of Need for Speed Payback and get at least a 2-star rating to unlock the hood for tuning. For the rims, on the other hand, you'll have to exchange five Speedcards for tokens.

This will keep you busy for a bit until you've built your dream car. But don't worry: You can also win the races with the absolute basic models (from a visual point of view).

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