
He served with Maya Torres in Afghanistan two years before the events of State Of Decay. Also, he can be seen at the survivors home talking to Lily after a mission which the player saves a group of survivors from zombies, he describes the player's group as "good people, but you are technically still squatters". He is quite humorous explaining that most of the soldiers " jerk off all day" and his artillery unit will "fire where he wants in return of alcohol". "You guys better build a fucking statue of me." Trivia In the final mission to destroy the wall blocking the only way out of Trumbull Valley, he sacrifices himself to manually detonate the explosives, knowing he is already infected with Black Fever. He then makes further investigations, and upon discovering the source of the infestation, decides that it is time to leave. He eventually decides to destroy the gates blocking the road entering the area, finds it completely abandoned and everyone in Trumbull Valley is now left behind to fend for their own. Later on, Sgt Tan tries unsuccessfully to get inside the Army's quarantine area (Fairfield). Unwilling to watch civilians die, he disobeys his order to stand down, engages the zombies with the player's help and saves the survivors. The third time he is encountered, Sgt Tan and his squad are denied permission to engage zombies attacking a house.
Some time after, he and his squad evict two survivors "squatting" in a house that is not theirs he threatens to execute them but decides to let them go instead. He bluntly informs the player that the Army is not here to evacuate the citizens. Sergeant Tan was first seen in Spencer's Mill guarding a house while investigations are carried out. In Breakdown, having Erik Tan (or Diane Montressor) in the community gives the player access to this radio command.In State of Decay, after helping Sergeant Tan in the mission Insubordination, the player is rewarded with the Radio Command Death from Above.Missions involving the Character Sergeant Tan is involved with all of the Army Missions Unlocking the character Erik Tan is unlocked by having a player-controlled character dying in a Blaze of Glory. In Breakdown DLC, he is a hero character titled "The Sacrifice".
He was tasked by the US Military to maintain order in Trumbull Valley while investigation of the infestation is carried out. Sergeant Erik Tan is a non-playable character in State of Decay.