Taigar

## Summary

***"She summons a magical stag that fights with her."***

Taigar is the third hero that the player acquires during the tutorial, after completing the second chapter. She is the first ranged hero, as well as the first hero with an active skill, the mystical stag.

## Ability: Mystical Stag

**On Attack:** Summons a Mystical Stag to attack your opponents.

**On Defense:** Taigar summons a Stag to help her in battle. The stag captures Crystals.

## Upgrades

**Level 7: Sharpshooter**

Taigar can target any enemy in the battlefield in sight of an allied unit, regardless of the distance.

**Level 17: Forest's Boon**

Taigar enhances the strength and duration of the forest armor bonus for her squad.

**Level 23: Sacred Ground**

Defense only - The Stag gains armor.

**Level 32: Brambles Arrow**

Taigar periodically shoots an arrow that spawn roots on impact. These roots slow all units in range.

**Level 57: Deep Bond**

Doubles the effect of Taigar's "Forest's Boon".

## Strategy & Synergies

### **On Defense:**

Taigar's Stag on Defense is a powerful asset, as it can be used in multiple ways. It provides a strong and large body blocker, can capture points the Attackers may have taken, and flank if placed properly in a plan where the combat will take place.

Taigar appreciates Grimm on her team, as his Tombstone not only provides a limitless supply of body blockers, but gives her eyes to use her "Sharpshooter" ability once unlocked. This is further compounded as a method of wasting a lot of the enemies' time paired with her "Brambles Arrow" ability, slowing multiple enemies at once while nowhere near. Wesley works with Taigar as well, as even though he is typically isolated from the rest of his team he still receives some small measure of assistance with "Sharpshooter". Taigar of course works well with Dyna and Balthor, as they are close range combatants with a stun, further prolonging the time she has to enter melee combat.

**Strong:**

* Archers are potent with Taigar on defense due to sharing a natural range with her. Additionally, the "Forest's Boon" ability provide excellent armor for them to gain an edge against enemy troops, particularly enemy Archers as they exchange arrows. They also benefit from the Stag being between them and the enemy, buying more time to fire arrows.

**Good:**

* Brutes can prove to be powerful guards of a single Crystal, especially when able to benefit from "Forest's Boon". Incredible Health, Armor, and Attack stats provide Taigar herself with two efficient body blockers that are difficult to take down and cannot be stopped unless killed.

**Fair:**

* Soldiers can provide similar support as Brutes, and similarly get high benefit from "Forest's Boon". However, keeping a squad of Soldiers back to guard a single point keeps them from supporting others that could use the help well.
* Sentries can be powerful so long as this squad is supported by another melee squad of Soldiers or Serfs, and not walled off. There is little to no benefit from other abilities Taigar unlocks compared to other troop options.

**Poor:**

* Serfs give Taigar a barrier between herself and opponents if they approach. However, there isn't much other benefit. This is a more niche pick if other options aren't available.

**Bad:**

* Knights provide nothing helpful for Taigar. The need to travel quickly to capture points is made obsolete by the Stag being able to capture points, and flanking isn't something Taigar cares to do as she can hit from anywhere on the map thanks to her "Sharpshooter" ability once unlocked. Other heroes can utilize Knights better.

### **On Attack:**

The "Forest's Boon" ability is less useful as it's more difficult to position into a forested area and win while attacking, making her a more effective Defense hero. That said, Taigar's Stag on attack can be a valuable asset to thwart enemies' plans. If placed near an enemy Dyna or Balthor it causes them to use their Beaker Bomb or Thunderstrike respectively, which can give your team a great edge in battle. It can also be saved for later to force enemy Archers to enter melee combat, which takes pressure off your other squads. It can also be used to force Iriel's Falcon to be triggered before the opponent is ready, changing when and where initiations happen. There's no guarantee that the Falcon is where you use your Stag however, so you either have to know from previous experience or have a backup plan if your target is incorrect.

Taigar likes working with heroes who can stun to buy more time for her and her squad to work on enemies, such as Balthor or Pepper. Grimm providing endless body blockers also helps Taigar out.

**Strong:**

* Soldiers can allow Taigar to help initiate combat, and these troops provide a barrier between herself and defending forces. Their well rounded stats make them difficult to kill and deal good damage with Taigar supporting. As they don't have a stun immunity, the Stag being able to get rid of some early can make a large difference. Finally, they can receive some benefit from "Forest's Boon", if only for a short time.
* Brutes also allow Taigar to help initiate similar to Soldiers. However, the Stag can be saved for distracting enemy Archers as they aren't needed to stop stuns from affecting your squad.

**Good:**

* Archers sharing the same range allows Taigar to play a more traditional and simpler playstyle. They have complimentary ranges and can somtimes benefit from "Forest's Boon" while attacking the enemy.

**Fair:**

* Serfs can be used, though not as effectively as other troops. They can gain some benefit from "Forest's Boon" for a short time, but they don't have as much damage to capitalize on this.
* Sentries don't necessarily benefit from "Forest's Boon" unless they're front line, and that's still not enough to make them capable of standing on their own. They still prefer having support from Serfs or Soldiers. They're easier to use than other options, as they compliment Taigar's natural affinity to staying out of combat.

**Bad:**

* Knights are one of the worst options for Taigar, Defense or Attack. Knights want to flank, but Taigar has range and can hit from any distance with "Sharpshooter" unlocked. The Stag also can flank, making Knights double up on things Taigar already does herself.