@op, his taunt draws attacks, but more importantly, when he taunts, he grants 30% turn meter to the entire party! Each time that he's attacked while the taunt is up, it's another 20% to everyone.
If you use mods to make him fast, he goes first, taunts, and the 30% turn meter boost lets some of (or all of) your other toons go before the opponent has even had a turn.