Shapes and Softness in 186W investigated through non-yrast rotational bands

186W lies in a shape transition region between maximum axial deformation in the rare earth nuclei and spherical 208Pb. The locus of stable nuclei passes through regions of gamma-soft, triaxial and oblate shapes, sometimes coexisting at different spin. This project involved seeking shape changes by exciting stable 186W with 725 and 800MeV 136Xe ions from the ATLAS accelerator at Argonne.  Inelastically scattered ions were detected in CHICO2 and de-exciting gamma rays in Gammasphere. Quasi-gamma, quasi-beta and octupole bands were extended considerably. Odd-even staggering in the gamma band suggest the nucleus gets increasingly soft with spin, possibly masking a predicted transition to an oblate shape at high spin. The K=2 octupole band allowed quantification of Coriolis-induced mixing with other bands, especially the Kp=0- band.