A method of selective need-based control message augmentation may include a network unit of a mobile communication system (100) generating a control message (250) for communication to a mobile unit (202), determining a handoff state transition of the mobile unit, and determining a set of signal conditions for one or more legs of an active set associated with the mobile unit. Further, the network unit at least one of selectively fast repeating the control message and selectively increasing the power gain for the control message based on the handoff state transition and the set of signal conditions.