Gus Tarballs is a character in the Jagged Alliance series. First appearing in Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games as a NPC but may be chosen as a playing merc for the final scenario mission. He's also appears Jagged Alliance 2 in which can be hired from A.I.M..
Background[]
Jagged Alliance[]
While Gus does not directly make an appearance in the first Jagged Alliance, playing through the main campaign in Deadly Games will reveal that he and a friend had been hired to work for Lucas Santino as part of his armed forces during his occupation of Metavira. Though he was present on the island, likely at the same time as the commander and the mercenaries from A.I.M. were, he and his friend never saw combat as they had misgivings about Santino and his actions, and left shortly after being hired.
Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games[]
Gus in Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games
Gus' officially appears for the first time in Deadly Games as a non-player character who hires the commander to perform a series of missions, eventually culminating in a takedown of terrorist organization DFk. If there's room in the team, Gus will ask to join your merc squad on the very last mission to take out the DFk in their own headquarters. He carries with him high stats all around with the exception of a slightly subpar agility and medical skill. He has high level gear - a modified M-16 for example - and joins for free. He performs the entire mission with a huge smile on his face, no matter what's going on. Evidently he really meant it when he said he wanted to get onto the field. His stats remain mostly the same in Jagged Alliance 2, though this time they come with a hefty price tag.
Jagged Alliance 2[]
Gus in Jagged Alliance 2 on AIM page.
Gus is a fantastic all-rounder, and his price-tag evenly matches his stats. In addition to being a good soldier with high marksmanship, he is well-versed in explosives, repairs and the teaching and training of mercs and militia, and while he isn't a doctor, he's also a servicable field medic.
Gus holds the highest starting level in Jagged Alliance 2, a sign of his age and experience on the field, and is an expert in heavy weapons, which can turn him into a key mercenary to have on the team during the endgame. His marksmanship ranks just below that of Lynx and Scope (99) an matches that of Reaper (97). And while his agility is subpar (he's not quite an old man, but he's getting there), he boasts a high strength, allowing him to carry large amounts of gear without complaint.
Gus is also available in Jagged Alliance 2: Unfinished Business. Although Jagged Alliance 2: Wildfire is a mod of the original game, Gus is unplayable due to his old leg injuries forcing him to retire from active service, now assisting A.I.M. by giving advise on strategic matters.
Jagged Alliance Online[]
Gus in Jagged Alliance Online
Some years after Jagged Alliance 2, Gus was captured by rebels in Arulco and is freed by the player's avatar character and Raven. Seeing potential in the player's character, the two form a new mercenary agency (named by the player) in Arulco, and as time passes and its reputation increases, many former A.I.M. and M.E.R.C. mercenaries become available. Gus gives some of the game's missions and later can be hired to join the team.
Jagged Alliance 3[]
After trying out a more peaceful life as a military advisor in Arulco, he realized he resented being away from the front lines, so he left and rejoined A.I.M. When the events of Jagged Alliance 3 begin, he is in a self-imposed semi-retirement. He says he's too old for this line of work but is still nostalgic about the old days, so the player has a chance to hire him with the right incentive.
Character Info[]
| "After rather heated negotiations, A.I.M. is pleased to announce that the legendary DFK annihilator, Gus Tarballs, is now a member of our ranks. Gus's induction was delayed slightly when his mobile home slipped from its support blocks while he was in the process cleaning the septic hosing. Fortunately, his crushed right leg has healed rather nicely. Additional info: Our medical staff has recently cleared heavy weapons specialist Tarballs for full active duty." - A.I.M. dossier, Jagged Alliance 2 |
| "Health problems have caused Gus to retire from active mercenary service. Old leg injuries have finally caught up to him. We are nevertheless proud that we have this mature and experienced mercenary on our board of directors where he can continue to advise us on strategic matters." - Jagged Alliance 2: Wildfire Alumni gallery |
| "Although offered a position as senior military advisor to the restored monarchy in Arulco, the badly limping Tarballs reportedly turned down the offer because he wasn't 'a dang paper pusher'. After spending a couple of weeks helping to train a few squads of Arulco's new army in the use of heavy weapons, he grumbled something about finding himself a new leg and disappeared into the hinterland. As of this moment, he is still on A.I.M.'s active duty roster, but he hasn't checked his voicemail in months." - A.I.M. dossier, Jagged Alliance 3 |
Equipment[]
Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games[]
- Modified M-16
- M16 ammo x2
- Grenades
- Treated Spectra Vest
- Treated Spectra Helm
- 5-pocket Assault Vest
- Radio
Jagged Alliance 2[]
1.13[]
- FN SCAR-H CQC
- 7.62x51mm mag
- TAC-1A Vest
- Kevlar Helmet
- Kevlar Vest
- Kevlar Leggings
- Medical Kit
- TT 3-Day Pack
Skills[]
- Heavy Weapons (Expert)
v1.13[]
- Bombardier (Heavy weapons expert)
- Deputy
Jagged Alliance 3[]
Unique Talent[]
- Tango Down: grants 10 grit to everyone in the squad after Gus kills an enemy. Once per turn.
Traits[]
- Heavy Weapons: attacks and setup with heavy weapons and machine guns have reduced AP cost.
- Loner: become inspired when there are no teammates in your vicinity at turn start.
- Old Dog: cannot increase stats naturally or from the training operation. Reading magazines still increases stats. Grant 10% extra XP for the squad (does not stack).
Perks[]
- Trick Shot: leg shot apply knocked down. Arm shots apply numbness. Groin shots apply exposed.
- Reactive Fire: make an interrupt attack with firearms when an enemy attack misses you during the enemy turn (chance is based on an opposed dexterity check). Will not trigger while taking cover.
- Inspiring Strike: increases morale when you deal more than 50 damage with a single attack. Once per turn.
- Beefed Up: max HP increased by 20%.
- Distracting Shot: removes overwatch and pin down. Doesn't provoke interrupt attacks.
- Flanker: deal 15% more damage against flanked enemies.
- Recoil Management: subsequent attacks against target get an even higher accuracy bonus.
Equipment[]
- Kevlar helmet
- Kevlar armor
- Kevlar leggings
- M-14
- Med kit
How to hire[]
You need to have Len or Scully on the team and have at least $50000 in the bank account.
Relationships[]
Likes[]
Is Liked by[]
Dislikes[]
Is Disliked by[]
- None
Notes[]
- Appearing to have a outgoing personality, Gus actually prefers the life of a loner and does better if no one is around him watching his every move. As he would say: "Leave me the hell alone, woody"
- Refers to the player as "Woody", a likely reference to one of Sir-Tech's founders, Robert Woodhead.
- His low agility is likely due to a combination of his age and his bum leg.
- Peter "Wolf" Sanderson thinks Gus is a "real military hardnose", something he expresses while on call in Deadly Games. He doesn't seem to hold it against him though.
- The only character appearing in sequels that the player was required to interact with in previous games, and thus the only character able to act like they remember the player from previous engagements.
- A strong believer in fighting for the right cause.
Quotes[]
All Games[]
- "Woody!"
- "Horsecrap!"
Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games[]
- "Hot-dog!" - enemy down
Jagged Alliance 2[]
- "Tarballs!" - on call
- "So what are we waiting for, Woody?" - on hire
- "I've run operations myself,ya know,Woody. Know enough about it to know that I don't want no dang 'part of it." - refuse to join
- Ya got it,Len ! Ain't no doubt about that." - praise quote
- "Dang that was quick,Woody. U.S. Customs is gona be all over my luggage. Figure I'm some sorta drug mule or some other horsecrap." - fired unfair
- "Ya got banking problems,Woody! Yous' N.S.F.! I know,it's those dang services charges. I tell ya what,ya straighten it out, ya get back to me." - not enough funds
- "I ain't her right now. Dang! I'm hardly ever here. Ain't much of a life, ya know, traveling the world rightin wrongs. Anyway... You want to talk to me, you leave me something' to track you down" - answering machine
- "Woody! Thought you'd never call! Heard you buzzed me while I was golfing in the Middle East. Ain't busy right now. Maybe we can work us out a deal." - email reply
- "Dang! Looks like someone's been through this! Reminds me of when the twister hit the mobilehome park, and stuff got thrown around everywhere. Got me a free toaster and a banged up microwave." - stolen shipment
Jagged Alliance 3[]
- "You really need to check what retired means, Woody. It means being a miserable old coot as far as I can tell." - When hired.
- "Now I gotta crawl around in the dang muck..." / "This sneakin' around is for the birds." - Entering stealth.
- "This deadbeat is gonna get the shock of their life." - Aiming from stealth.
- "All right, Woody, I'm moving. Keep your dang pants on!" / "Dang! Stupid leg..." - Moving in combat.
- "Let's get some lead in the air and some bad guys in the ground!" - Combat started.
- "You let the dang contract expire! I was kinda lookin' to see this baby through until the end, Woody. But you're in charge of the show. Give me a buzz sometime." - If his contract hasn't been renewed.
- "They got Scully. Horsecrap! He was special, Woody. Leaves behind eight'n ex-wives and twenty-one children. Man had no room in his wallet for credit cards. Dang shame!" - If Scully dies.
- "Bout time, Woody. Was wondering... what it would take... to kill me." - If downed.
- "Squad! For-WARD!" - Moving with a group.
- "I feel like a new man - or a new old man, anyway." - If healed.
- "Gettin' tarred and feathered here, Woody!" - Selected when badly wounded.
- "Enough looking at the grass grow, Woodstuff. Let's haul ass." - Idle.
- "Dang! Where'd you get this crap, Woodshed? A Soviet-era surplus auction?" - Equipping an item in poor condition.
- "Dang it, Woody, look what you made me do! Sorry, Len. Buy you a beer in the after-life." - If Len died because of his friendly fire.
- "Dang! Maybe that eye doctor was right..." - Missing an easy shot.
- "That's why I don't keep pets. Can't trust animals." - A hostile animal is killed.
- "Gonna need a clean up on aisle nine, Woodman." - Headshot.
- "Say goodnight, Gracie." - Stealth kill.
- "Woodpecker, Woodruff, Woody, Woodman, Woodstock, Woodland, Woodrow, Woodward, Woodshed, Woodpile, Woodstuff, Woodwind" - Referring to the player on different occasions.
Jagged Alliance: Online[]
|
Gus Tarballs | Gunner | Lvl # | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endurance | 75 | Pistols | 21 | |
| Strength | 81 | Light Machineguns | 13 | |
| Reflex | 24 | Shotguns | 83 | |
| Dexterity | 36 | Rifles | 11 | |
| Perception | 29 | Assault Rifles | 26 | |
| Cost for 1 day(s) | HP | 359 | Sniper Rifles | 8 |
| 2 Arulco Silver | AP | 17 | Machine Guns | 100 |
38836
|
Specialization: | MACHINE GUNS: +5 | ||
1266
|
ENDURANCE: +5 | |||
__NOFACTBOX__
Description[]
Starting items[]
Quotes[]
Costs[]
| LVL | Cost | Cost/Day |
|---|---|---|
Image gallery[]
