When To add a TAG

[Jeerdan]

Hi,
I am a long time lurker and since the soon to be released 3rd O:I my local gaming community has come out to play infinty!

That being said, I have read a lot of rules, forums and watched alot of battle reports. A few years ago I bought the Pan O starter, a Cutter and a couple of other blisters. This was well before I knew what each thing did, I made my choice based on how the TAG's for Pan O looked.

So now I'm soon to get some games in and I'm wondering, at what points do you look to introduce a TAG in your list?

Our TAG's are around 100pts each, so I'm think in 200+ pt lists, though thats llike 50% of your list in 1 unit, giving 1 order and most likely needing 3 - 4 orders from your pool to be effective.

SO essentially, when you look to build your lists and you look to add a TAG, are you then making the decision that the TAG is your linch pin to your force?

thanks for taking the time to read my post.

~jeerdan

[Machinist]

You're correct. You'll want other elements too, AD or TO, MSV 2, total reaction (if you can spare the points) and good amount of orders with utility (always aim for 10).

[Jeerdan]

Thanks for your reply.

The way you put that sounds like when selecting other troops it's an "either/or" decision when selecting between TO or AD. I've got the suggestion 8-10 orders are a good sized pool; also to not have too many "hidden deployment" troops such as AD or TO.

WIth a bit of my theory crafting I have found it isn't an easy task to fit a good amount of support troops for a TAG and still have about 8 - 10 orders. I've usually come up with 6.

[Barakiel]

The cutter is in the more expensive range of TAG loadouts. Some of the lighter TAGs can easily fit into a 200 point list. When the TAG's point cost is 100+, you'll either need to settle for an extreme bare-bones list, or wait until the 300 point level. When running a Cutter, for example, the most well-rounded lists I've seen also include a Kamau Hacker for infowar defense, as well as TO Order Sergeants to fake the enemy out during deployment, add some mid-field flexibility, create minefields that the Cutter can retreat behind for safety, and capture objectives if you're playing an ITS game. On top of that, the list also has 6 other bodies for the full 10-order pool.

[Machinist]

Thanks for your reply.

The way you put that sounds like when selecting other troops it's an "either/or" decision when selecting between TO or AD. I've got the suggestion 8-10 orders are a good sized pool; also to not have too many "hidden deployment" troops such as AD or TO.

WIth a bit of my theory crafting I have found it isn't an easy task to fit a good amount of support troops for a TAG and still have about 8 - 10 orders. I've usually come up with 6.

In my view the following choices are good picks for any general force.

Panoceania | 6 models
________________________________________________________

Konstantinos Inf (34|0)
Acontecimento MineLayer (14|0.5)
Acontecimento MineLayer (14|0.5)
Auxilia FO (20|0)
Auxbot Observer
Auxilia (14|0)
Auxbot
Kamau Hacker (28|0.5)
________________________________________________________

124/300 points | 1.5/6 swc

It gives you six models and you have enough open options to expand either way. A Kamau can be substituted but that's really preference (cutter still has camouflage and high BTS) and will depend on your matches. My experiences thought me once you have decided on a expensive heavy hitter you'll run out of room to take other very handy options. Sacrificing orders at the gain of utility isn't advisable.

[Auxillia]

On the matter of providing enough orders to a TAG, is there a case to take either a Fugazi Dronbot or Minesweeper Mulebot over a Fusilier or Regular?

[Machinist]

Should you be stuck with 16 -17 of spare points and two seats in your combat group, can't see any other situation where I'd take cheap REM over Fusilier in a TAG list.

[saturatedFat]

I guess if you find yourself facing off against TAGS and heavy infantry all the time, a couple of Fugazi could be useful to extend your hacker's range. Otherwise fusiliers are much easier to hide and can be potential lieutenants.

[Auxillia]

Thanks machinist & saturatedfat. Good points to consider.