Taggers in the Wild

**Taggers in the Wild** (abbreviated as **TitW**) is a series created by Ashton Doovis. It is a parody of nature documentaries satirizing various taggers and aspects of tagger lore. It ran from February 5th, 2016 to either March 7th, 2016 or March 13th, 2016 depending on whether or not the final episode is considered canon. Despite lasting for just over a month, Taggers in the Wild had 13 episodes and was quite positively received.

## History

Taggers in the Wild was created by Ashton Doovis just over a week after he began his tagging career in late March of 2016. As a new tagger with lots of ideas and a lot of time on his hands, the fledgling Tagger came up with the idea for Taggers in the Wild and began making his first episode. He first made a set giving Marmot a scientific species name before later that day creating an entire show parody set, with a second episode forty minutes later. These sets were received very positively, and many taggers requested that episodes be done on them. The next day, Ashton would release two more episodes and a minisode, as well as release a list of all the taggers he currently planned on making episodes for. Starting from the fourth episode, it became a common occurrence for Ashton to bring on "guest experts" to help describe the specimen in question. One of these guests, Marmot, would become a series regular as Ashton's co-host.

The next three episodes would release almost a week later in quick succession on February 12th, 2016 to continued success. Three more episodes would be released on February 17th, bringing the series up to ten episodes eleven days. This extremely fast pace of releasing episodes, especially due to the fact that he would release so many in quick succession, Ashton found himself slowly burning out on the series, and though he wasn't done yet he would drastically reduce the rate at which he released new episodes.

The eleventh episode would release on February 22nd, 2016. He wouldn't make episode twelve, however, until March 7th. The thirteenth and final episode was released on March 13th, though it is debated whether or not it is canon to the rest of the series due to its use of NTF2Tags. During this period, however, Ashton found himself enjoying making these sets less and less. He described them as painstaking to put together, and states that the primary reason he stopped was because he simply didn't have the time or drive to make any more. Taggers in the Wild ultimately enjoyed a short yet plentiful run of just over a month, and would remain Ashton's greatest creation throughout the rest of his own relatively short tagging career.

## Formatting

Each episode of Taggers in the Wild typically followed the same format. Ashton would begin by stating "Ladies and gentlemen, I am your host Ashton\_Doovis. And welcome to Taggers in the Wild!" He would then get into the specifics of whatever creature he was studying that day, giving (usually) a tagger a scientific name and describing the characteristics of their species. At the end of the episode, the creature usually wound up spotting Ashton and his crew and they would have to make an escape. Other times, Ashton simply ends the episode formally. Either way, each set always ended with a "To be continued..."

## Episode Summaries

### Episode 1: Relk

Ashton starts the series looking at "An amazing specimen" called the Relkus-Pottus, otherwise known as the Relk\_Cehi. He describes the Relk as a shy creature that lives in the caves of the Taglands in order to escape other beasts known as Shlies, or Shit-flies. Relks are known for their high honor and skill and have climbed their way to the top of the food chain in the Taglandian ecosystem. This Relk in particular chose to break off from its pack and live in isolation. The Relk is said to mature five seconds after birth. When leaving its caves, Relks release a distinct scent to lure in unsuspecting crit-beetles.

The Relk then spots Ashton and makes a furious howl, leading Ashton to flee for safety.

### Episode 2: Ulysses

The second episode begins with Ashton introducing another pack animal, the Ulyssesous-Bucketus, otherwise known as the Ulysses. After escaping the angry Relk, Ashton spots a pack of wild Ulyssess on the horizon. The Ulyssess reside in the grasslands of the Taglands, and it too feasts upon crit-beetles, but if desperate is known to search out buckets artificial "crit-wings". Like the Relk, the Ulyssess are at the top of the food chain, and will often try to maximize their numbers by creating bigger and bigger packs known as "Item Sets", but this doesn't always work. This increase in numbers doesn't always work however, and it has been said that 5000 Ulyssess die a month due to Shitstorms and the Bucket Plague.

As Ashton admires this seemingly untouched, perfectly healthy item set of Ulyssess, he gets spotted and must flee.

### Episode 3: Legownz

The third episode (now with Ashton's current rep item) begins with some devastating news, in that the Ulyssess have become all but extinct due to an unknown plague, and that he has the last infant Ulysses in existence. He encourages all to donate to the Ulysses-Jam center to help make the last Ulysses's life as comfortable as possible.

The episode itself starts with a look into a very rare species known as the Legus-Itemsetus, also known as the Legownz. This was a costly find, as the entire crew had to eat every bite of food they had left, and then their cameraman. The Legownz is a very peculiar beast in that it is a very picky eater, throwing out food that it deems to not be worthy of consumption. Though it too feasts on crit-beetles, its preferred prey is the baby tagger, the most vulnerable of prey. They are known to possess extraordinary senses, being able to sniff out a bad post in no time, though the scent of original posts are known to protect one from a Legownz attack. Ashton's scent works, and the Legownz they viewed flew away. This particular Legownz was distinctly an alpha-male, as it possessed a set of floating playing cards. Obtaining the status of alpha is every male Legownz's dream, and in order to do this they must nesting areas known as "Item Sets" (not to be confused with a herd of Ulyssess), and in these nests they will work long and hard to attract females to pro-create with. Baby Legownz are noted to be dangerous, being able to kill people with its SFM posters. With enough luck, the females will pay the males enough so that they can buy a set of floating playing cards. The episode ends with Ashton not being chased away.

### Minisode: Crits

In a mini episode, Ashton discusses the primary food source of the Taglands and the lowest species on the food chain, the Greenus-Crittus, also known as the crit-beetle. All creatures feast upon crit-beetles, bar the AFI. Their origins are unknown, though scientists theorize they were created through the power of "Originality", though Ashton himself believes they spawn simply from green paint cans. He advises his viewers against consuming crit-beetles themselves, as they are said to taste like old grass.

### Episode 4: Smash Z

The start of Episode 4 is interrupted by the episode's specimen zooming by: a wild Maximus-Overdrivius, also known as the Smash Z. Though they are born with asthma and an unhealthy diet, Smash Zs are the fastest taggers in the ecosystem, reaching impressive speeds of "five miles to the gallon", though some have been known to reach higher speeds through cheating with the Gloves of Running Urgently. Ashton himself is no expert on Smash Zs, however, and thus calls in Smashist expert Marmot, who corrects that Smash Zs normally can only reach four miles to the gallon, and it is very rare to see them reach full capacity. Reaching five miles a gallon is done through a meditation technique known as "Overdrive". When they reach Maximum Overdrive, they can reach speeds of up to two million miles an hour, though notes that only Smash Elders can reach such a state.

### Episode 5: Le Tryhard Hunter

Episode 5 opens with Ashton and Marmot (now Ashton's co-host) quietly tracking their latest specimen. However, Ashton was too loud in the cave as he did his intro, and the echo caused the beast to discover them and chase after them, forcing them to flee. Two days later, they manage to shake the beast: a Tryhardius-Huntus (or Le Tryhard Hunter) and start to discuss its characteristics.

Like Relks, Tryhard Hunters inhabit mostly caves, though unlike Relks they never leave, preferring instead to enjoy the cold breeze as it sleeps in its nest. It is rare, but sometimes Tryhard Hunters will break out into their famous rap battles. Most of the time, however, they search for crit-beetles around their caves. Their territory is marked with lime green paint, so that nobody can steal their ideas. They are then confronted by a Tryhard Hunter, and after Marmot advises they stand still as their sight is based mostly on movement, the Tryhard Hunter laughs and begins to speak.

This hunter is revealed to be an Evolved Hunter, an intelligent species that inhabits the cliffs rather than the caves. Evolved Hunters don't eat crit-beetles, instead preferring Cwhoppers (Crit Whoppers) with extra comments from McDonald's (for some reason McDonald's started selling Burger King-brand products). Evolved Hunters paint their cliffs, but unlike regular Tryhard Hunters, Evolved Hunters do it as a symbol of wealth. As Marmot leaves to craft some theories based on this new information, Ashton is attacked by Shlies, and runs to get some repellent.

### Episode 6: Arceus

The sixth episode starts with the two doctors in the frigid mountains in search of the Pokegod. As a freezing Marmot threatens to sell Ashton's Shako, Arceus (Arceus-Godious) appears. The intelligent creature demands the Dr. Who theme music stops playing, Ashton ignores him and continues playing music. As threats fall upon empty words, the Arceus poofs Marmot away into a shadow dimension. Arceus tries to hurry the show along, Ashton demands that Marmot be brought back, which is met. After Marmot is returned, the show officially begins.

The Arceus-Godious, also known as the Arceus, God of Pokemon, PokeGod, The God, The one, My Man, etc., is a mysterious creature that has mostly unknown characteristics other than being the god of all Pokemon. The Arceus is enraged that this is all Ashton knows (and the fact Ashton hates golf) and takes over the show by itself.

The Arceus states that it is a nice god, and only poofs people when necessary. It claims to be good at tagging, often making tags that relate to Pokemon. After Ashton asks where Arceus is on the food chain and what it eats (God and Burger King, respectively), Arceus leaves the mortals alone, as they now need to find a way off the frozen Alps.

### Episode 7: Makin' Bacon

The seventh episode begins with the specimen sitting in front of a fireplace, addressing the audience. Before it can answer the question of how it is able to speak, Ashton steals the translator from it and reveals that the specimen is his cat. The Makus-Baconius, or Makin' Bacon, steals the translator back and begs to do the episode itself, which its master allows so long as it does it the way he would.

Like the Pootis Bird, the Bacon is very docile and capable of being domesticated. It is also a very agile creature, being able to capture up to 30,000 crit-beetles in a single day. While Bacons are normally pack animals, this one explains that it stays with Ashton because it was bored. Out of all taggers, Bacons are the most adaptable, capable of feasting on Shlies if desperate enough. Bacons are also asexual creatures without males or females. Ashton compliments his cat on a job well done and ends the episode.

### Episode 8: Shitposters

The eighth episode opens with Marmot asking where Ashton's vivid plasma effect had gone, to which he replies that the directors of the show couldn't afford one (a cover answer to deal with the second Colorless Times that the site was going through), though Ashton suspects that they are lying. He also announces that the intended specimen for this episode remains elusive and thus must be substituted with the new specimen: Shitious-Postus, or the Shitposter as they are referred to in the Taglands.

Since the dawn of time itself, rumors have spread about the origins of these creatures, but thanks to science and laziness, the answer is now known. Shitposters are created chemically. When mutations in some taggers go wrong, the particles of the tagger will adapt, becoming a parasitic creature that will then latch on to another tagger. The tagger's ability to recover once a shitposter attaches itself becomes narrower the longer it stays on, and once it takes full control it makes the host tagger shitpost against its will. Though it is incredibly slim, there is still a chance for a tagger to recover even when the parasite has full control. The most common remedy is to delete the residue it leaves behind in its tracks, a gooey soft paste. However, the most effective remedy is to remove the parasite altogether. A third remedy is to limit the parasite's food source: bad an unoriginal ideas.

Ashton then receives a message that he is now able to do the episode on the original specimen, and the episode ends.

### Episode 9: Fancytag

Ashton begins the episode in the usual way, with the grass he is present in rustling behind him. Suddenly, his trap goes off and the specimen has finally been captured for a full analysis! Enter the Richus-Classieus, also known as the Fancytag. Marmot asks how Ashton managed to capture one, but it was so simple. As Fancies are known for their love of crosswords, Ashton simply put one into a simple birdcage! Voila! Captured!

The Fancytag is a bird wearing an adorable fedora. It is known for feeding on Corms, or crit-worms. They are extremely classy in their own eyes, and as such act very professional, though will describe themselves as childish regardless. Like all bird species, a flock of Fancies migrates during the winter, as well as to avoid shitstorms. During their migrations, Fancies will not miss any opportunity to feast upon crit-beetles and corms.

With the episode complete, the duo lets the Fancy free, and it flies away very professionally.

### Episode 10: Player 1 + Player 2

As Ashton is beginning the intro, Bonkspenser cuts in and asks to do the intro. Ashton protests because it's his show, but Marmot demands it or else he would send Ashton to tag hell. Bonk proceeds to do the intro whilst flirting with Marmot, while insulting Ashton by saying he's only worth two refined. Ashton reiterates that he only brought Bonk on to help with the Player Flower episode, but Bonk convinces Ashton to allow him and Marmot to snuggle for five more minutes, which turns into two hours. Ashton storms back in, angry because the Player Flower has since relocated, but Marmot breaks his arm, making him faint from the pain. Bonk closes the episode as gets back to cuddling with Marmot.

### Episode 11: TheOnlyGuyEver

The eleventh episode, which is an honest-to-god normal episode this time, is about TheOnlyGuyEverus-Mouthus, or simply TheOnlyGuyEver or TOGE for short. The two zoologists gear up as they enter the area known as "The Comment Section", which is a TOGE's mating grounds. Whenever a savvy topic abounds, a flock of TOGEs will no doubt come by as fast as they can manage. Some have speculated that the TOGEs are related to the Fancies due to their dietary similarities. Though TOGEs are birds, they cannot fly, instead using a method called Bhopping, a method passed down from flock to flock. The TOGE uniquely feeds on Silt (Salt-Mines), which also breed in Comment Sections. The flock of this episode is acting pretty docile, rather than attacking their natural enemies, the Ulyssess. With that, the doctors exit the Comment Section and end the episode, with Marmot being surprised it was actually normal for once.

Following this episode, a breaking news announcement was made that the TOGEs have ended their feud with the last remaining Ulysses.

### Episode 12: Weegees

Episode twelve opens with a new guest expert, Walumancer, who is there to give his expert knowledge on the species for this episode, the 'Uigus-Greenus, or the 'Uigi for short. He has one captured and has brought it with him to analyze for the show, and so that the audience could see it up close. The 'Uigi is brought out and acts in a typical 'Uigi manner, being completely retarded, only to hiss loudly at the sight of Walumancer.

Walumancer begins his explanation that the 'Uigis have grown in population, with 16 million now in the Taglands alone. He has since made it his mission to study them, and then to eradicate them completely when he isn't lazy. Ashton asks what the Wahfia is and how he can join, but Walumancer answers that he has been a part of the Wahfia this entire time! Walumancer then explains that the Wahfia is a collection of individuals who believe in the great one, the Lord and Savior Waluigi.

Ashton realizes that they have ran out of time and informs the great Wahfather that it was a pleasure to meet him in person and wishes him luck on killing the "Uigis.

### Episode 13: Misses

Ashton begins the episode but is interrupted by a gunshot in the distance. Marmot, in a panic, asks Ashton if his NTF2Tags self killed the episode's specimen. Ashton says he will handle it by having a manly, sophisticated conversation before killing him. He greets his alternate self, Davis\_Austin but is cut off when he says "Fuck you!" to him. Ashton angrily berates his NTag self because he killed the only Redus-Colectus in the area, to which Davis happily crosses off of his kill list. Marmot then proceeds to explain how the NTaggers came into this universe, which included a wormhole which closed almost immediately after it was said to be a thing. With the wormhole closed, the NTaggers are stuck there and the episode ends.

It is debated if this episode is canon not only due to the inclusion of NTaggers, but also due to the fact that Legownz is portrayed a person rather than as an animal like was previously in the series.

## Reception

Even as early as the first episode people praised this series. Bonkspenser went out of his way to tell Ashton that he would do great things during his time here, and Relk himself praised Ashton's work (though it is unknown if it was because he liked the series or was just stroking his own ego). Though Legownz was skeptical of the series at first, especially when he was announced as the next episode, he quickly came to love both his episode and the series overall. Starting from the third episode, taggers including Makin' Bacon, Blast, Egg-Z, and Fancytag began to request that episodes be made of them, though these requests only seemed to be accepted half the time by Ashton, who had his own episodes he wanted to make. Makin' was especially vocal in wanting to be included, to the point where Player 1 + Player 2 annoyingly pointed out he was begging (which translated into Makin's episode, in fact). Overall, the series was well-enjoyed for the little time it was a thing on the site.

## Gallery

The set made just before Taggers in the Wild with a similar style to the greater series.Episode 1: The Relkus-PottusEpisode 2: The Jesseous-BucketousEpisode 3: The Legus-ItemsetusA mini-episode on the Greenus-Crittus, or Crit-Beetle.Episode 4: The Maximus-OverdriviusAshton shows everyone the upcoming list for Taggers in the Wild.A quip Ashton made regarding how he hadn't posted a new episode in a few days.Episode 5: The Tryhardius-HuntusEpisode 6: The Arceus-GodiousEpisode 7: The Makus-BaconiusEpisode 8: The Shitious-PostusEpisode 9: The Richus-ClassieusEpisode 10: The Player FlowerEpisode 11: TheOnlyGuyEverus-MouthusBreaking news regarding relations between the Jesseous-Bucketous and the TheOnlyGuyEverus-Mouthus.Episode 12: The 'Uigus-GreenusThe Redus-Collectus, the collector's quality bug. Ashton notes an infestation shortly following the Returned Colors.Episode 13: The hijacked finale of debatable canon.
## Trivia

* An episode dedicated to A Fucking Idiot was teased, but never done.
* Episode 11 references Ashton's "I wasn't aware." meme.
* Some information in episode 12 regarding Wahfia lore is inaccurate.
* It can be concluded that Episodes 12 and 13 were made in response to events on the site at the time, those being the Krazy Weegee Incident and the advent of NTF2Tags.
* Austin has played with the idea of rebooting the series on Tags.tf.