Among activities wherein you must achieve a particular score within a time limit, there exists a continuum of freneticity. On the hyperactive side are things like Tank Mayhem, where you are basically guaranteed to succeed as long as you're pushing buttons. Insurance Fraud is further toward the middle; it's pretty easy to succeed, but you have to actively pursue moving traffic to have any success.
Mayhem is on the opposite, slow side. I can barely scrape by, and then only on the easiest ones. I've been upgrading my weapons, but it still seems like I can't do enough damage consecutively in such a way as to actually build up a multiplier that's worth anything.
How can I improve my score at Mayhem?
Best Answer
In the Mayhem levels, the trick is to get a high multiplier and keep it there. You get credit for destroying almost EVERYTHING, so driving/running down the street and firing a RPG or the tank cannon repeatedly into the sidewalk is a good way to go. If you can find a roadside cafe, a street market, or a line of fences, you're golden. Alleyways are positively littered with things that explode for cash.
It's relatively easy to hit 30-50+ multiplier in non-Tank Mayhem, which means you'll be racking up the score in no time. If your multiplier is super high, target expensive cars to get a huge points bonus.
The most important thing though, is just keep shooting. You should be firing off rounds as fast as you possibly can, and blowing absolutely everything in sight to kingdom come.
It helps to move into a target-rich area, like a suburban street where fences and small items litter the scenery. You're almost better running (or stealing a car) and driving to a better part of town than staying where there's not much to shoot at. The time you lose is far outweighed by the extra multiplier you will gain. I haven't extensively scouted the map to find the best place yet, but you might want to take a minute to drive around and look at object placement before you start a level, so you can plan your route better.
Don't bother with guns in this mode - if you have a RPG, great, but watch for splash damage that can knock you down and end your streak. Alternatively, use thrown weapons (like grenades, for example) which can take a whole area out. You can generally throw these super fast, and your throwing distance is generally far enough that you won't be in the blast radius when they go off. Run down the street and just huck them in random directions towards sidewalks, cars, etc. If you're having trouble destroying things with grenades, don't forget that you can upgrade them at the weapon store to make them cause damage in a greater range, and allow you to throw them further.
Mayhem is my second favorite activity, after Insurance Fraud. Enjoy it! :)