Puppetmaster: Behavior of the Stormwaker Frame

=Overview =

Disclaimer
I may be elvaan online, but offline I am human, and therefore I make mistakes. I try my best to have a very small margin of error while performing tests, but nothing is ever 100% guarenteed. And even if I've managed to scrape up completely accurate data, there's no way to be sure if I've considered all the possible influences on a puppet's behaviour. If you find an error, please point it out so that everyone benefits. Just remember to be polite with its delivery. Thank you :)

Why create this guide?
I've seen it writen a few times that these puppets cannot be controlled. That they do whatever they want, whenever they want. I'd like to give those people the benefit of the doubt that they're not simply trying to start drama and are simply unaware of how to influence their puppet properly. This thread is to help people understand that they do have a great amount of control over what their puppet can do.

Also, I like the idea of a guide like this. It doesn't tell people how to play or how not to play. It just gives players the information that will help them make an informed decision when deciding on a style of gameplay.

It would be nice to have more threads covering the other available frames. I don't have quite the same experience with the other frames at this point (July 2006) to start them.

If this guide doesn't really get used it won't hurt my feelings much. If it only acts as a place for me to gather my thoughts that alone is worth it for me. Apologies to anyone tired of seeing my name ^^;

How you can help make this guide better
If you have any tests or have noticed trends in the puppet behaviour that is not noted here, please let me know.

At the end of each section I have started a section called unanswered questions. There are some things I am unable to get exact info on where I am a PS2 user. Usually revolving around seeing the percentage of HP remaining on the mobs. Any of these questions that you would like to tackle are yours for the taking :)

Magic Skill chart
Skill cap taken from charts found at (http://www.ausystem.org/~aushacho/...kill-e.html) using B- as skill level

Most of the info for spells is taken from (http://ff11wiki.rdy.jp/-597054912.html). A thank you to Scalor for finding this and also translating it.

This list starts at level 10 because it is the lowest level that the Stormwalker frame is available. The numbers in parenthesis are the skill level at which your automaton learns each spell.

=Behaviour with Stormwaker Head=

Position, Timers, and other traits
Default Position: By default the puppet will stand and cast its spells where ever it was when you used DEPLOY. If you're unhappy about where it is standing you can use RETRIEVE, walk your puppet over to where you want it, hit DEPLOY, and it will stay at its new location

Unusual Positioning: The puppet may run in and engage the mob at melee range if one of the following cases holds true:
 * Puppet was Deployed in a position that placed the mob outside of the puppet's magic range
 * Puppet does not have suficient MP. This amount is around mp < 8 but needs further testing to be nailed to an exact figure.
 * Puppet's magic skill is less than 15, and therefore has no access to nukes.

Delay between spell casting:
 * (without attachments/no meneuvers) = 26.5 seconds
 * (with Mana Booster/no maneuvers) = 23.5 seconds
 * (with Mana Booster/1 Ice maneuver) = 23.5 seconds

Mana Channeler will also alter these times but the exact times have not yet been determined

Puppet Weapon Skill: Slapstick

What spell will it cast next?
There are 5 possible scenarios described here which will determine what spell your puppet casts. Your puppet will act according to the first TRUE scenario it encounters beginning with scenario 1.


 * Scenario 1 - Mob is about to be defeated
 * Scenario 2 - You or your puppet qualify for a cure
 * Scenario 3 - Mob is under ~50% HP
 * Scenario 4 - One of the applicable enfeebs are not on the mob
 * Scenario 5 - none of the above are true

Scenario 1: If the mob is low in HP, your puppet will try to be the hero and finish it off with the highest nuke that it has enough MP to cast, regardless of any need for curing. I am not sure what the exact trigger here is in terms of this scenario. To me it seems to be related to the damage potential of your highest nuke.

Scenario 2: If scenario 1 didn't apply and you or your puppet qualify for a cure, then the next spell to be cast will be a cure. To determine if you or your puppet qualify for a cure, refer to this chart: (taken from http://ffxi.killvoid.com/forums.php...mp;q=124202)

When the Damage Gauge is Equipped, Automaton will cure at the following HP:

0 Maneuver: 50% 1 Maneuver: 60% 2 Maneuver: 70% 3 Maneuver: 80%

When unequipped, Automaton cures at:

0 Maneuver: 30% 1 Maneuver: 35% 2 Maneuver: 50% 3 Maneuver: 75%

I did this testing using the mage frame but I'm reasonably sure it applies to all frame/head combos.

Number of maneuvers refers to the number of instances of Light Maneuver active at the time of spell casting.
 * if you and your puppet both need cures, your need will take priority over the puppet's need.
 * if you do not have Damage Gauge equipped, your puppet cannot cure itself

Scenario 3: If scenario 1 and scenario 2 did not apply, the mob is under 50% of its HP, then the next spell to be cast will be the highest nuke available to it for which it has enough MP to cast.

It may be possible to alter what mob HP% at which this scenario is triggered or to bypass this scenario completely though the use of maneuvers such as Ice. More testing is needed to finish mapping out this scenario.

Scenario 4: If scenario 1, scenario 2, and scenario 3 did not apply, then it's time to check for enfeeble spells. These consist of Bio2, Bio, Dia, Poison, Silence, Slow, Blind, and Paralyze. Which ones qualify to be cast will be determined by which maneuvers are active at the time of spell casting.

The Spell Priority checklist is created using your active maneuvers. The following is a list of maneuver combinations and their corresponding checklists.

(Fire, Wind, Earth, and Thunder Maneuvers have not yet been proven to have an influence on checklist)


 * If mob has no MP, skip Silence and move to next spell in list

The puppet checks the first spell in the list (S1). If this enfeeb is not on the mob this is what your puppet will cast. If it is on the mob, then we check the second spell (S2). If this enfeeb is not on the mob this is what your puppet will cast, and so on. If we come to a blank space on the chart this means all the applicable enfeebs are on the mob and we instead move to the next scenario.

Scenario 5: If scenario 1, scenario 2, scenario 3, and scenario 4 did not apply, then the only option left is nuking. Your puppet will cast the highest nuke available to it for which it has enough MP to cast.

Attachments Which Alter Behaviour
Mana Booster Shortens the delay between spell casting.
 * (without attachments/no meneuvers) = 26.5 seconds
 * (with Mana Booster/no maneuvers) = 23.5 seconds
 * (with Mana Booster/1 Ice maneuver) = 23.5 seconds

Damage Gauge Alters the conditions necessary to trigger curing, as described in scenario 2. Equipping this attachment also grants your puppet the ability to cure itself.

Scanner Removes nuking from the behaviour of the puppet, essentially removing scenario 1, scenario 3, and scenario 5. Further effects of Scanner are being investigated.

Mana Channeler Increases magic recast time in exchange for increased Magic Attack With 0 active Water Maneuvers: +10% damage; magic recast time = ??? With 1 active Water Maneuvers: +20% damage; magic recast time = ??? With 2 active Water Maneuvers: +30% damage; magic recast time = ??? With 3 active Water Maneuvers: +40% damage; magic recast time = ???

Other Noteworthy Attachments
Mana Tank Increases size of MP pool. Also, your puppet gains the effect of refresh. The strength of this refresh depends on the number of active Dark Maneuvers With 0 active Dark Maneuvers: 0 With 1 active Dark Maneuvers: 1 With 2 active Dark Maneuvers: 2 With 3 active Dark Maneuvers: 3

Mana Tank II Increases size of MP pool. Also, your puppet gains the effect of refresh. The strength of this refresh depends on the number of active Dark Maneuvers With 0 active Dark Maneuvers: 0 With 1 active Dark Maneuvers: 2 With 2 active Dark Maneuvers: 3 With 3 active Dark Maneuvers: 4

Mana Converter Converts 50% of your current HP into MP which accumulates in 1/10 chunks over 10 ticks of ffxi time. Example: If you had 600/600 HP and then Mana Converter was triggered, you would now have 300/600 HP and you would gain 30MP/tick for 10 ticks. Recast time for Mana Converter = 3:00

Loudspeaker Enhances magic attack With 0 active Ice Maneuvers: +5% damage With 1 active Ice Maneuvers: +10% damage With 2 active Ice Maneuvers: +15% damage With 3 active Ice Maneuvers: +20% damage

Loudspeaker II Enhances magic attack With 0 active Ice Maneuvers: +10% damage With 1 active Ice Maneuvers: +15% damage With 2 active Ice Maneuvers: +20% damage With 3 active Ice Maneuvers: +25% damage

Remaining Questions

 * What is the exact condition concerning low MP needed to be met to cause the puppet to advance on its own into melee range of the mob?
 * What is the exact condition needed to force the puppet to nuke regardless of the need for cures/enfeebs as described in scenario 1?
 * Are there attachments that will alter the listed behaviours of this puppet (Stormwaker Head + Stormwaker Frame)?
 * The scenario when the mob is under 50% HP needs more testing

=Behaviour with Harlequin Head=

Position, Timers, and other traits
Default Position: By default the puppet will run up and engage the mob at melee range, regardess of what position you deploy it from. If the mob moves the puppet will follow.

Unusual Positioning: none found as of yet

Delay between spell casting:
 * (without attachments/no meneuvers) = 30.0 seconds
 * (with Mana Booster/no maneuvers) = 30.0 seconds
 * (with Mana Booster/1 Ice maneuver) = #### sorry, still testing ####

Puppet Weapon Skill: Slapstick

What spell will it cast next?
There are 4 possible scenarios described here which will determine what spell your puppet casts. Your puppet will act according to the first TRUE scenario it encounters beginning with scenario 1.


 * Scenario 1 - You or your puppet qualify for a cure
 * Scenario 2 - Mob is under ~50% HP
 * Scenario 3 - One of the applicable enfeebs are not on the mob
 * Scenario 4 - none of the above are true

Scenario 1: If you or your puppet qualify for a cure, then the next spell to be cast will be a cure.

When the Damage Gauge is Equipped, Automaton will cure at the following HP:

0 Maneuver: 50% 1 Maneuver: 60% 2 Maneuver: 70% 3 Maneuver: 80%

When unequipped, Automaton cures at:

0 Maneuver: 30% 1 Maneuver: 35% 2 Maneuver: 50% 3 Maneuver: 75%

Number of maneuvers refers to the number of instances of Light Maneuver active at the time of spell casting. note #1: if you and your puppet both need cures, your need will take priority over the puppet's need. note #2: if you do not have Damage Gauge equipped, your puppet cannot cure itself

Scenario 2: If scenario 1 did not apply, the mob is under 50% of its HP, then no spell will be cast.

It may be possible to alter what mob HP% at which this scenario is triggered or to bypass this scenario completely though the use of maneuvers such as Ice. More testing is needed to finish mapping out this scenario. (Info courtesy of Sikekiz and Ceiyne)

Scenario 3: If scenario 1 and scenario 2 did not apply, then it's time to check for enfeeb spells. These consist of Bio2, Bio, Dia, Poison, Silence, Slow, Blind, and Paralyze. Which ones qualify to be cast will be determined by which maneuvers are active at the time of spell casting.

The Spell Priority checklist is created using your active maneuvers. The following is a list of maneuver combinations and their corresponding checklists.

(Fire, Wind, Earth, and Thunder Maneuvers have not yet been proven to have an influence on checklist) (Ice also has not yet been proven to have any influence on checklist)


 * If mob has no MP, skip Silence and move to next spell in list
 * (????) = Due to spells like Poison and Silence wearing off quickly, it is difficult to know that we are definately at the end of the list. Hence "????" will denote an unconfirmed end to the priority list.

The puppet checks the first spell in the list (S1). If this enfeeb is not on the mob this is what your puppet will cast. If it is on the mob, then we check the second spell (S2). If this enfeeb is not on the mob this is what your puppet will cast, and so on. If we come to a blank space on the chart this means all the applicable enfeebs are on the mob and we instead move to the next scenario.

Scenario 4:

If scenario 1, scenario 2, and scenario 3 did not apply, then there are no spells available to be cast. The puppet will cast no spell at this time.

Attachments Which Alter Behaviour
Damage Gauge Alters the conditions necessary to trigger curing, as described in scenario 1. Equipping this attachment also grants your puppet the ability to cure itself

Other Noteworthy Attachments
Mana Tank Increases size of MP pool. Also, with each active instance of Dark Maneuver, 1mp of refresh is gained for your puppet.
 * 1 DM = 1mp/tick.
 * 2 DM = 2mp/tick.
 * 3 DM = 3mp/tick.

Mana Converter Converts 50% of your current HP into MP which accumulates in 1/10 chunks over 10 ticks of ffxi time. Example: If you had 600/600 HP and then Mana Converter was triggered, you would now have 300/600 HP and you would gain 30MP/tick for 10 ticks. Recast time for Mana Converter = 3:00

Remaining Questions

 * Are there attachments that will alter the listed behaviours of this puppet (Harlequin Head + Stormwaker Frame)?
 * The scenario when the mob is under 50% HP needs more testing

=Behaviour with Sharpshot Head=

Position, Timers, and other traits
Default Position: By default the puppet will stand and cast its spells where ever it was when you used DEPLOY. If you're unhappy about where it is standing you can use RETRIEVE, walk your puppet over to where you want it, hit DEPLOY, and it will stay at its new location

Unusual Positioning: The puppet may run in and engage the mob at melee range if one of the following cases holds true:
 * Puppet was Deployed in a position that placed the mob outside of the puppet's magic range
 * Puppet does not have suficient MP. This amount is around mp < 8 but needs further testing to be nailed to an exact figure.

Delay between spell casting: (without attachments/meneuvers) = ~45 seconds

Puppet Weapon Skill: Slapstick

What spell will it cast next?
There are 4 possible scenarios described here which will determine what spell your puppet casts. Your puppet will act according to the first TRUE scenario it encounters beginning with scenario 1.


 * Scenario 1 - You or your puppet qualify for a cure
 * Scenario 2 - Mob is under ~50% HP
 * Scenario 3 - One of the applicable enfeebs are not on the mob
 * Scenario 4 - none of the above are true

Scenario 1: If you or your puppet qualify for a cure, then the next spell to be cast will be a cure.

When the Damage Gauge is Equipped, Automaton will cure at the following HP:

0 Maneuver: 50% 1 Maneuver: 60% 2 Maneuver: 70% 3 Maneuver: 80%

When unequipped, Automaton cures at:

0 Maneuver: 30% 1 Maneuver: 35% 2 Maneuver: 50% 3 Maneuver: 75%

I did this testing using the mage frame but I'm reasonably sure it applies to all frame/head combos.

Number of maneuvers refers to the number of instances of Light Maneuver active at the time of spell casting.
 * if you and your puppet both need cures, your need will take priority over the puppet's need.
 * if you do not have Damage Gauge equipped, your puppet cannot cure itself

Scenario 2: If scenario 1 did not apply and the mob is under 50% of its HP, then no spell will be cast by your puppet at this time.

Scenario 3: If scenario 1 and scenario 2 did not apply, then it's time to check for enfeeble spells. These consist of Bio2, Bio, Dia, Poison, Silence, Slow, Blind, and Paralyze. Which ones qualify to be cast will be determined by which maneuvers are active at the time of spell casting.

The Spell Priority checklist is created using your active maneuvers. The following is a list of maneuver combinations and their corresponding checklists.

(Fire, Wind, Earth, and Thunder Maneuvers have not yet been proven to have an influence on checklist) (Ice and Light also seem to have no influence on checklist)


 * If mob has no MP, skip Silence and move to next spell in list
 * (????) = Due to spells like Poison and Silence wearing off quickly, it is difficult to know that we are definately at the end of the list. Hence "????" will denote an unconfirmed end to the priority list.

The puppet checks the first spell in the list (S1). If this enfeeb is not on the mob this is what your puppet will cast. If it is on the mob, then we check the second spell (S2). If this enfeeb is not on the mob this is what your puppet will cast, and so on. If we come to a blank space on the chart this means all the applicable enfeebs are on the mob and we instead move to the next scenario.

Scenario 4: If scenario 1, scenario 2, and scenario 3 did not apply, then there are no spells available to be cast. The puppet will cast no spell at this time.

Attachments Which Alter Behaviour
Damage Gauge Alters the conditions necessary to trigger curing, as described in scenario-1 of section 3.2 Equipping this attachment also grants your puppet the ability to cure itself

Other Noteworthy Attachments
Mana Tank Increases size of MP pool. Also, with each instance of Dark Maneuver, 1 accumulative mp of refresh is gained for your puppet. 1 DM = 1mp/tick. 2DM = 2mp/tick. 3 DM = 3mp/tick.

Mana Converter Converts 50% of your current HP into MP which accumulates in 1/10 chunks over 10 ticks of ffxi time. Example: If you had 600/600 HP and then Mana Converter was triggered, you would now have 300/600 HP and you would gain 30MP/tick for 10 ticks. Recast time for Mana Converter = 3:00

Remaining Questions

 * What is the exact condition concerning low MP needed to be met to cause the puppet to advance on its own into melee range of the mob?
 * Are there attachments that will alter the listed behaviours of this puppet (Sharpshot Head + Stormwaker Frame)?
 * Sometimes after this puppet stops casting enfeebs it will not bother reapplying them once they start wearing off. Why?

=Behaviour with Valoredge Head=

Position, Timers, and other traits
Default Position: By default the puppet will run up and engage the mob at melee range, regardess of what position you deploy it from. If the mob moves the puppet will follow.

Unusual Positioning: none found as of yet

Delay between spell casting: (without attachments/meneuvers) = ~45 seconds

Puppet Weapon Skill: Slapstick

What spell will it cast next?
There are 2 possible scenarios described here which will determine what spell your puppet casts. Your puppet will act according to the first TRUE scenario it encounters beginning with scenario 1.
 * Summary of Scenarios Scenario 1 - You or your puppet qualifies for a cure
 * Scenario 2 - You and your puppet do not qualify for a cure

Scenario 1: If you or your puppet qualify for a cure, then the next spell to be cast will be a cure.

When the Damage Gauge is equipped, Automaton will cure at the following HP:

0 Maneuver: 50% 1 Maneuver: 60% 2 Maneuver: 70% 3 Maneuver: 80%

When unequipped, Automaton cures at:

0 Maneuver: 30% 1 Maneuver: 35% 2 Maneuver: 50% 3 Maneuver: 75%

I did this testing using the mage frame but I'm reasonably sure it applies to all frame/head combos.

Number of maneuvers refers to the number of instance of Light Maneuver active at the time of spell casting.
 * if you and your puppet both need cures, your need will take priority over the puppet's need.
 * if you do not have Damage Gauge equipped, your puppet cannot cure itself

Scenario 2: If scenario 1 did not apply, then there are no spells available to be cast. This is because the only spells available to this puppet are cures. Therefore the puppet casts nothing.

Attachments Which Alter Behaviour
Damage Gauge Alters the conditions necessary to trigger curing, as described in scenario 1. Equipping this attachment also grants your puppet the ability to cure itself.

Other Noteworthy Attachments
Mana Tank Increases size of MP pool. Also, with each instance of Dark Maneuver, 1 accumulative mp of refresh is gained for your puppet. 1 DM = 1mp/tick. 2DM = 2mp/tick. 3 DM = 3mp/tick.

Mana Converter Converts 50% of your current HP into MP which accumulates in 1/10 chunks over 10 ticks of ffxi time. Example: If you had 600/600 HP and then Mana Converter was triggered, you would now have 300/600 HP and you would gain 30MP/tick for 10 ticks. Recast time for Mana Converter = 3:00

Remaining Questions

 * Are there attachments that will alter the listed behaviours of this puppet (Valoredge Head + Stormwaker Frame)?

Guide originally by YuriOtani. Copied and reformatted from the post on the Allakhazam Puppetmaster forum. []