Tips for playing Drifter?

[the poopshitter]

(Wall of text ahead, VERY wordy, you've been warned)
I feel like I got the hang of the game pretty well on a good chunk of characters despite not playing RoR 1 prior to this (just 100%ing RoR 2)
And honestly? I like this game way more even if it's harder. Something about RoR's gameplay formula just translates better for me into 2D, especially with all the new stuff that wasn't in RoR 1 like slight movement while shooting, refined higher-res sprites, the teleporter event not locking out any interactables, etc.
Plus the vibes are just generally more fitting to the 2D artstyle I feel, and the remastered first-game soundtrack especially feels to me like they really "Figured out" RoR as a setting and how to execute it at its peak.

Now, I unlocked Drifter, and tried a few runs. It's pretty clear to me even now that I'm doing well as the character because they're STRONG, but I also really feel like I'm missing some common sense in terms of how I use abilities and approach playing as them in general, especially in co-op I end up falling behind a lot in terms of permanent items due to the lack of mobility skills.

So far I'm running an all-stock-skills loadout because it's more comfortable to me. I see some folks say Scrap Cube is busted but for me the more instant and spammable ranged attack of the default secondary feels way better, and I can keep hitting stuff with normals while I do it too. Scrap cube surfing seems fun though.

I know the alt utility helps with mobility, but I feel like Suffocate just scales WAY too well later on in runs to pass it up, and the scrap gain from executing enemies also feels like a core part of the kit. (Especially in co-op where any ranged character being near you means you basically don't get scrap unless you execute tankier enemies)

The Special in particular is where I feel I am the most confused. I tried saving the ability until the teleporter event at which point I use it at every opportunity, then for the next few runs I tried just using it whenever available, and then lastly I tried sharing the temp items with teammates whenever we were fighting nearby. In all cases it felt like I was doing something wrong/playing sub-optimally.
Is Drifter just more of a solo character maybe? Or does the RNG of the temp item usefulness on Drifter get way better as you unlock some of the achievement-locked meta items?

Any insight on how people more familiar with Drifter play them would he appreciated.

[JAG]

I feel like her Special is best used as soon as possible. Keep in mind that temporary items only expire after their timer runs out - there's not much point in saving them, since they get carried over between stages, and you can't really lose them for any other reason.

It is possible that the item pool is holding you back, or the RNG is just being unkind. You also gotta think carefully about what items you want to share and what items you yourself need at the moment. And lastly, don't forget that you still gotta get regular items from chests and whatnot. Temporary items can only carry you so far, the gameplay loop of looting items still applies, much like for any other survivor.