**Role:** Physical Ranged DPS
**Primary Weapon:** Arcane Automaton (Puppet)
**Armor Type:** Aiming Gear
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## Core Fantasy
The Puppetmaster commands the battlefield from a distance through an enchanted automaton. Rather than attacking directly, you issue commands that drive your puppet’s actions, shifting its combat form to match the situation.
You are not the weapon.
**The puppet is.**
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## Core Mechanic: Puppet Forms
Your puppet can instantly shift between three combat modes:
### ������ Mage Frame – *Arcanist*
* Magical ranged damage
* AoE spells, DoTs, debuffs
* Best for multi-target and sustained pressure
### ������ Ranged Frame – *Ballista*
* Physical ranged damage
* Fast, consistent attacks
* Builds Aether Strings quickly
* Best for single-target uptime and mobility
###
Melee Frame – *Vanguard** Close-range burst damage
* Heavy combo attacks and gap closers
* Best for burst windows and raid buffs
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## Core System: Command Weaving
Instead of traditional attacks, you use **Commands** that instruct your puppet.
**Examples:**
* *Execute: Strike* → Form-based attack
* *Execute: Burst* → Unique ability per form
* *Execute: Shift* → Swap puppet form
Your hotbar = commands, not direct actions.
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## Gauge System: Aether Strings
A resource representing your control over the puppet.
**Build by:**
* Using commands
* Maintaining uptime
**Spend on:**
* Form shifts
* High-potency abilities
* Overdrive burst
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## Signature Mechanic: Form Combos
Abilities change depending on your previous form, encouraging fluid rotation.
**Example Flow:**
Ranged → build gauge
→ Melee → burst combo
→ Mage → AoE + DoTs
This creates a **form-cycling rotation loop** instead of a fixed priority system.
---
## Burst Window: Overdrive Protocol (2 min)
Temporarily enhances your puppet:
* Increased attack speed
* Dual-form abilities
* Auto-chaining attacks
* Visual transformation
---
## Movement & Positioning
* Player remains fully ranged
* Puppet moves independently
* No positional requirements
✔ High uptime
✔ Strong in mechanics-heavy fights
✔ Strategic playstyle
---
## Utility
* Small party damage/haste buff
* Minor defensive utility (shields/mitigation)
* Debuffs (primarily via Mage frame)
---
## Limit Break Concept
**Grand Marionette: Dominion**
The puppet splits into all three forms and unleashes:
* Melee strikes
* Ranged volleys
* Magical finisher explosion
A high-impact, cinematic raid moment.
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## Strengths & Weaknesses
**Strengths**
* Flexible damage types
* High uptime
* Deep, skill-based rotation
* Strong burst windows
**Weaknesses**
* High skill ceiling
* Lower damage if poorly optimized
* Requires planning over reactive play
---
## Level Progression Overview
### ������ 1–30: Foundation (Ranged Focus)
* Basic 1-2-3 combo (Strike → Volley → Barrage)
* AoE unlock (Scatter)
* Aether generation tools
* Level 30: **Frame Shift (Melee unlocked)**
---
###
30–50: Melee Integration* Vanguard frame abilities (Lunge → Cleave → Rend)
* Melee AoE (Cyclone)
* Level 50: **Synchronized Assault (burst window)**
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### ������ 50–70: Mage Frame & Core Loop
* Arcanist frame unlocked
* DoTs, AoE, and burst tools
* Level 60: **Tri-Frame Mastery (form cycling buff)**
* Level 70: **Overdrive Protocol**
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### ������ 70–90: Optimization
* Dual-form interactions
* Form-specific passives
* High-end abilities (Convergence, Phantom Strike, Execution Protocol)
* Enhanced Overdrive
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### ������ 90–100: Endgame Identity
* Triple Frame Sync system
* Trinity Break (multi-form combo)
* Aether Overload (resource expansion)
* Level 100: **Grand Marionette: Dominion**
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## Level 100 Rotation Feel
* Build gauge (Ranged)
* Swap → Melee (burst)
* Swap → Mage (DoTs/AoE)
* Trigger Triple Frame Sync
* Use Trinity Break
* Enter Overdrive
* Full burst dump
A smooth, **flow-based rotation** driven by form transitions—not rigid button priority.
---
## Job Identity
> *“You don’t fight the enemy. You conduct the battle.”*
Puppetmaster is:
* Tactical
* Fluid
* Stylish
* Mechanically unique
A job that fits naturally into FFXIV while offering something entirely fresh.
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