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STAG is a type of law enforcement in Saints Row: The Third.

Overview[]

STAG, short for Special Tactical Anti-Gang Unit[3][5], is a technologically advanced paramilitary force lead by Commander Cyrus Temple and his subordinate, Kia. It operates under the control and supervision of the United States Government,[6][7][8] and acts as a replacement for the SNG at higher Notoriety levels, although the Steelport Police and a minor SWAT presence still remain. STAG has their own, unique arsenal of futuristic weapons and vehicles.

STAG is deployed to Steelport following a devastating attack on the Hughes Memorial Bridge in Stilwater, perpetrated by the Luchadores.[9] Senator Monica Hughes, wife of the late Alderman Richard Hughes, gains unanimous approval from the US Senate to initiate "The STAG Initiative" upon the city, essentially putting it under martial law with the intent of eliminating the 3rd Street Saints and The Syndicate for control of the city.[7][10]

STAG arrives in force aboard the aircraft carrier Thermopylae, ambushing Playa, Oleg and Viola DeWynter in Technically Legal, and begins deploying troops and mobile bases throughout the city.[10] Initially relegated to a peacekeeping role in Steelport, STAG's role and actions intensify following the sinking of the Thermopylae by the Saints. The city is placed under lockdown and STAG begins to actively combat the four gangs with their specialised commando units, focusing primarily on the Saints.[11]

Technology[]

The STAG unit possesses a variety of futuristic weaponry, some of which is described as experimental microwave technology.[11] STAG's troops wear advanced body armour and carry laser rifles, while vehicles use a variety of exotic energy weapons and advanced features. The STAG F-69 VTOL, Condor and Specter also have the ability to transition between hover and jet modes, using miniature jet engines to maneuver like a helicopter in the former state.

STAG has possession of at least two massive carriers, a conventional "wet" carrier, Thermopylae,[10][11] and an advanced airship called the Daedalus.[12]

Specialists[]

STAG specialists are known as Commandos. They are easy to distinguish from conventional STAG troops by their bright orange suits, with orange accents on their white armor. Furthermore, they always wear gas masks. Commandos are unique among all other specialists in that they do not appear as hollow red dots on the HUD. This is somewhat problematic, as the only other way to see them coming is to examine the color of their armor as they approach.

Overall, Commandos are really just regular STAG soldiers with increased health, and they don't have any unique weapons; exclusively carrying the Viper Laser Rifle. Commandos can withstand a great amount of damage, and often attack in pairs or even teams, similar to Morningstar and Deckers specialists. Commandos also cannot be taken as Human Shields. Furthermore, they are impervious to fire, albeit fire-based attacks still damage them. Being the toughest specialists in the game, a group of Commandos can present quite a challenge, thus making fights against them both long and dangerous.

Because their armor is thick enough to prevent them from flinching all the time whenever they are shot, the most effective means of dealing with Commandos is to use melee weapons or explosives against them; especially the Woodsman as it can kill just about anything in one hit, including Commandos. The only named Commando is Sgt. Steiner, an arrogant, self-proclaimed, one-man-army who is listed as an Assassination target in the Saintsbook.

Vehicles[]

Land[]

STAG use the N-Forcer as their main transport, an armoured light truck equipped with a top-mounted machine gun. At higher Notoriety levels their special tank, the Crusader, is used in place of the National Guard's Challenger. An even more powerful Crusader, at one point called the "STAG Tank V2", is an optional unlockable in the mission "My Name is Cyrus Temple".

Naval[]

There is a STAG version of the Commander in a promotional image;[13] however, this variant is not available in the game and STAG do not use any boats aside from the giant aircraft carrier Thermopylae.

Aircraft[]

STAG's workhorse aircraft is the Condor, corresponding to the SNG's Eagle. For heavier work, the F-69 VTOL corresponds to the Tornado and Vulture. STAG also use heavy cargo planes, one of which is configured as an AWACS.[8] In one of the two final mission choices STAG calls in their ultimate airborne weapon, a giant airship carrier / battleship called the Daedalus.[12]

The Specter is a "jetbike" which only available if it is chosen during the mission "My Name is Cyrus Temple" and is never used by STAG itself.

Weapons[]

STAG troops are primarily armed with Viper Laser Rifles, a rapid-fire carbine which never needs to be reloaded and is instead governed by a heat gauge. Their special shotgun is called the S3X Hammer and works in much the same way, never requiring reloads. STAG do, however, sometimes use more conventional hardware, with specialists occasionally using the Riot Shield and KA-1 Kobra, and snipers armed with McManus 2015s in certain missions.[14][11]

While never used by STAG itself, the Sonic Boom is described as a STAG-developed weapon[Reference needed] and the Satchel Charges can only be accessed by choosing to research them in "My Name is Cyrus Temple." However, Satchel Charges are present in every Friendly Fire store, on a low shelf on the opposite side of the store to the counter. In the promotion poster for STAG, they carry Bowie Knives but never use them.[Reference needed]

Radio[]

These are played after Gang Bang and before My Name is Cyrus Temple.

These are played after My Name is Cyrus Temple and before Stag Film.

Trivia[]

  • Their symbol is a tribal styled stencil of a stag's head. Within some of their bases, like the Daedalus, exists an alternate symbol which looks like a stag's skull.[Reference needed]
  • The STAG occupation does not completely override SNG presence. SNG vehicles are still used, and their helicopters still spawn at the Sierra Point base throughout the game.
  • Completing the eliminate Killbane end of the mission "Three Way" and destroying the Daedalus unlocks STAG infantry armor in the Wardrobe, and at Let's Pretend.
  • Even though STAG has left Steelport after the last mission, there are still some STAG Outposts located around Steelport and some even have an F-69 VTOL or a Condor.
  • There was intended to be a STAG-related Stronghold in the game. As it is, STAG is the only enemy in the game with neither a single territory or a Stronghold.[15]
  • STAG is the only law enforcement unit in Saints Row: The Third to have female members, although they have identical uniforms to male members.
  • In the Survival diversion on Arapice Island, there are STAG zombies that drive Criminals and attack Playa just like a normal zombie. They reuse the same model as a living STAG soldier.[Reference needed]
  • The promotional image shows a soldier with a rifle resembling an M16, despite STAG using laser weapons in-game.[Reference needed]
  • Although they are supposed to be an elite unit, STAG is pretty much just as incompetent as the street gangs it is meant to fight against, if not worse. The Saints are still able to run their businesses in their presence, and Deckers nearly succeeded raiding their PR Center for a super computer until the Saints intervened to steal it from them,[16] and the Luchadores fight them to a standstill with a possibility of a Luchadore victory had the Saints not have intervened.[2]
  • STAG only appear in large numbers in Loren Square, moderate numbers in Sunset Park and very few elsewhere.
  • STAG soldiers spawn near the Saints HQ, Kinzie's Warehouse and Leather & Lace.
  • The storyline of the game ends with the reputation of STAG ruined either by Kia trying to destroy the Magarac Statue or by Cyrus Temple's near destruction of Steelport.
  • It is never revealed why STAG is so focused on the Saints rather than The Syndicate, but it might be because of the Saints destroying the Thermopylae[17] and kidnapping Josh Birk,[18].
    • In Saints Row IV, Phillipe Loren implies that The Syndicate bribed Monica Hughes to keep her and STAG away from The Syndicate, and mentions The Syndicate paid for the Hughes Memorial Bridge.[Reference needed] This would explain why Killbane and his Luchadores, being associates of the syndicates, are allowed to escape blame.
  • STAG is the only faction in Saints Row: The Third that is not an unlockable Gang Customization option.
  • STAG, despite being a law enforcement agency, uses unconventional warfare methods, including the use of propaganda to convince the civilian population to protest against the Saints[Reference needed], and a false flag operation in an attempt to frame the Saints.[2]
  • Some armed vehicles that have scanners, such as the Tornado or F-69 VTOL, say "Scanning Objective" and "STAG Targeting System v2.67".[Reference needed]
  • In reality the United States senate has no jurisdiction over a military organization such as STAG. The only people who can issue orders to the military are the President of the United States or the Chiefs of Staff.
    • Additionally, it is unconstitutional to use military force against United States citizens. Declaring Martial law and seizing the Downtown district violates the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the power of the federal government to use (federal) military force in order to enforce domestic policies. However, declaring and enforcing martial law in a state of emergency is perfectly legal, and has even been done before (e.g., during the Reconstruction Era, immediately following the Pearl Harbor attack, etc.).
  • In Saints Row IV, during the character creation, the news ticker at the bottom of the screen states that after the events of Saints Row: The Third, STAG disbanded, and most former members found employment in Parking Enforcement.[Reference needed]
  • STAG's white, orange, and black color scheme is similar to that of the vehicles of the fictional group Megaforce from the movie of the same name.
  • Matt Miller successfully hacked in STAG's secure database and changed all the top secret file names to RagnarokWinsAgain.[19]
  • A homie conversation between Cyrus Temple and Asha Odekar in Saints Row IV reveals that a good deal of STAG technology came from MI6.[20]
  • The STAG symbol resembles the United States Air Force Symbol.
  • Concept art depicts STAG actually fighting against the Steelport National Guard and SWAT.[21].
  • The Morningstar is the only gang that has no contact with the STAG since they were crippled before the STAG's arrival.
  • STAG soldiers can drive Peacemakers.[Reference needed]

Gallery[]

STAG soldier promo artwork

Promotional artwork of a STAG soldier in Saints Row: The Third

STAGlogo

STAG's logo. A stag head stencil on a barricade at their base in Sunset Park

STAG Death Symbol

STAG's death logo. A stag skull stencil on the Daedalus

SWAT, SNG, Challenger, Bear, and F69 VTOL promo

Promotional image of SNG and SWAT members

F-69 VTOL firing Swarm Missiles in the Saints Row - The Third Open World Gameplay trailer

F-69 VTOL firing Swarm Missiles in the Saints Row - The Third Open World Gameplay trailer

Cat & Mouse promo - F-69 VTOL and Specter

Promotional image of multiplayer Cat & Mouse with a Specter and a F-69 VTOL

STAG soldier

A STAG soldier, with a Viper Laser Rifle

Female STAG Soldier

A Female STAG soldier, with a Viper Laser Rifle

STAG recruitment poster

A recruitment poster for STAG in the STAG PR Center in Saints Row: The Third

STAG and Nyte Blayde - Wants You poster

A poster of STAG and Nyte Blayde in the STAG PR Center in Saints Row: The Third

STAG and Nyte Blayde - Drain the Blood poster

A poster of STAG and Nyte Blayde in the STAG PR Center in Saints Row: The Third

STAG outfit front

STAG armor with Biker gloves front

STAG outfit back

STAG armor with Biker gloves back

Ui reward dlc stag

STAG logo

STAG billboard stag 3 d

STAG recruitment poster

Nyte Blayde - Wants You STAG recruitment billboard

STAG recruitment poster featuring Nyte Blayde

Nyte Blayde - Drain the Blood STAG recruitment billboard

STAG recruitment poster featuring Nyte Blayde

Nyte Blayde - STAG static TV screen texture

STAG ad featuring Nyte Blayde

STAG Party missionacc banner d

STAG "mission accomplished" banner

Learning Computer - fighting STAG in PR Center

STAG Soldiers in the PR Centre

SRTT Roadblock - STAG level 4 - small

Small STAG roadblock (level 4 Notoriety)

SRTT Roadblock - STAG level 4 - large

Large STAG roadblock (level 4 Notoriety)

SRTT Roadblock - STAG level 5 - small

Small STAG roadblock (level 5 Notoriety)

SRTT Roadblock - STAG level 5 - large

Large STAG roadblock (level 5 Notoriety)

SRTT Roadblock - STAG lockdown - small

Small STAG roadblock during Downtown lockdown

SRTT Roadblock - STAG lockdown - large

Large STAG roadblock during Downtown lockdown

STAG Commando - character model in Saints Row The Third

STAG Commando - character model in Saints Row: The Third

STAG Commando - stag stagcommando - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG Commando - stag stagcommando - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG Commando B - character model in Saints Row The Third

STAG Commando B - character model in Saints Row: The Third

STAG Commando - commando - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG Commando - commando - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG Riot Shield - character model in Saints Row The Third

STAG Riot Shield - character model in Saints Row: The Third

STAG - riotshield - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG - riotshield - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG sniper - character model in Saints Row The Third

STAG sniper - character model in Saints Row: The Third

STAG - sniper - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG - sniper - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG soldier - Joleen - character model in Saints Row The Third

STAG soldier - Joleen - character model in Saints Row: The Third

STAG - soldier2b - Joleen - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG - soldier2b - Joleen - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG soldier - STAG - character model in Saints Row The Third

STAG soldier - STAG - character model in Saints Row: The Third

STAG - soldier - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG - soldier - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG soldier - STAGB - character model in Saints Row The Third

STAG soldier - STAGB - character model in Saints Row: The Third

STAG - soldier2b - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG - soldier2b - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG soldier - Tanya - character model in Saints Row The Third

STAG soldier - Tanya - character model in Saints Row: The Third

STAG - soldier - Tanya - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG - soldier - Tanya - character model in Saints Row IV

STAG Soldier fem5 - character model in Saints Row The Third

STAG Soldier fem5 - character model in Saints Row: The Third

STAG Soldier fem6 - character model in Saints Row The Third

STAG Soldier fem6 - character model in Saints Row: The Third


References[]

  1. Saints Row website: Cyrus shirley Temple, post #5
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Mission: Three Way
  3. wouldyoukindly: Saints Row: The Third details from Game Informer take it up a notch, published 2011-03-08
  4. Mission: Gang Bang, Cutscene #3
  5. Mission: Gang Bang, Cutscene #3
    My name is Cyrus Temple, Commander Special Tactical Anti-Gang Unit. I'm here to answer your questions about the STAG initiative.
    — Cyrus Temple[4]

  6. Mission: Pimps Up, Hos Down
  7. 7.0 7.1 Mission: The Ho Boat
  8. 8.0 8.1 Mission: Convoy Decoy
  9. Mission: Return to Steelport
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Mission: Gang Bang
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Mission: My Name is Cyrus Temple
  12. 12.0 12.1 Mission: STAG Film
  13. Image: [[:File:STAG Commander promo image.jpg|STAG Commander promotional image]]
  14. Mission: STAG Party
  15. Game data: STRONGHOLD_START_MESSAGE_STAG: START STAG STRONGHOLD in "tt mission_us.le_strings"
  16. Mission: Learning Computer
  17. Mission: My Name is Cyrus Temple
  18. Mission: Nyte Blayde's Return
  19. Dialogue: Homie conversation between Cyrus and Matt
  20. Homie conversation:
  21. Image: F-69 VTOL, Challenger and Bear concept art


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