Puppetmaster Guide by Poof

Introduction
This guide is mean to serve as the most conclusive page of its kind and dedicated to the fine art of Puppetmaster. My goal is to avoid rumors and opinions, however, making a completely unbiased representation of Puppetmaster may prove to be impossible, at least, from a critic's viewpoint; so I will make it a point to acknowledge statements based on popular opinion while unacknowledged content can be concluded to be factual to the best of my knowledge and understanding.

Frame Upgrades & Prioritization
I decided to review prioritization of Frame Upgrades because I think it is necessary due to problems I've seen with newcomer Puppetmasters having to struggle with when they finally attain all three of the additional frames. The primary need for this suggested prioritization is for the sake of the Automaton's skill levels and to maintain the Puppetmaster's versatility in a variety of situations. Does this mean there's a definitely order in which you should obtain frame upgrades? If you want to maximize your Puppetmaster's versatility with the minimal amount of trouble, then yes, there is a definite order.

While there may be cause to debate the prioritization of the other two additional frames, the Sharpshot Z-500 should be your first frame upgrade. Of the complete set of frames, only the Sharpshot's body is capable of Ranged Attack and therefore is required for your Automaton level that particular skill. At level 10, when your first upgrade becomes available, you are already ten levels behind on skill for Ranged Attack; at level 20 this becomes quite a chore to bring up to par. I've seen instances where Puppetmasters that have waited to level 30 to obtain this upgrade have completely abandoned it all together. Another key reason is the number of monsters that you will level on that are weak to piercing between levels 10 to 30 such as Pugils and Damselflies.

While the Harlequin is capable of keeping Magic Skill at a reasonable level, it isn't everyone's frame of choice once they begin getting the upgrades. For this reason, you may want to consider the Stormwaker as your second frame.

The Valoredge is extremely powerful and very useful, but its melee skill at level 30 is only a few points behind the capped melee skill of the Sharpshot and isn't even that far behind the cap for the Stormwaker. Thus, while you may find it quite useful throughout your adventures, waiting until level 30 to obtain it will help you maintain your versatility by keeping your Automaton's skills at viable levels.

Data that will be removed
Links I'm going to use and add information to: http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/Attachments http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/Puppetmaster http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/Puppetmaster:_A_History http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/Automaton http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/Puppetmaster:_Upgrading_Your_Automaton

Copied from another page but only because I'm learning how to setup autolinks to items I'll be mentioning.

Puppetmaster
{| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%" !width="15%" align="center" |Item Slot !width="10%" align="center" |Level !width="25%" align="left" |Artifact !width="50%" align="left" |How Obtained http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/Cerise_Doublet http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/Libra_Subligar
 * border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center" width="100%"
 * valign="top" width="15%"|
 * valign="top" width="85%"|
 * align="center" |Weapon
 * align="center" |40
 * Turbo Animator
 * Quest: The Wayward Automaton
 * align="center" |Legs
 * align="center" |52
 * Puppetry Churidars
 * Quest: Operation Teatime
 * align="center" |Feet
 * align="center" |54
 * Puppetry Babouches
 * See: Puppetry Babouches
 * align="center" |Hands
 * align="center" |56
 * Puppetry Dastanas
 * See: Puppetry Dastanas
 * align="center" |Body
 * align="center" |58
 * Puppetry Tobe
 * See: Puppetry Tobe
 * align="center" |Head
 * align="center" |60
 * Puppetry Taj
 * Quest: Puppetmaster Blues
 * See: Puppetry Tobe
 * align="center" |Head
 * align="center" |60
 * Puppetry Taj
 * Quest: Puppetmaster Blues
 * Quest: Puppetmaster Blues