When I came back in spring 2017, trying to get back into PUP was quite the endeavor. While there were many guides referencing what the master should wear and do, there were very few attachment lists and suggestions for various content, and even then they had to be dug up, some were outdated or incomplete, and the rest were only for limited situations with no explanation. I have loved the job since its inception, and after figuring most of it out the hard way through trial and error, I have decided to compile this list for other returning PUPs that hit the summit. These are general build suggestions, but please feel free to mix and match as you see fit. Discussion, criticism, suggestions, and commentary are all welcome.

Requirements: 1200 JP
For those climbing up the ladder, it is usually best to use the highest tier of attachment you can fit when dealing with capacity issues, though you can get slightly higher numbers using the next lower tiers (III+II vs a single IV) paired with double optic fibers.



A note about Automaton Haste:
Like players, Automaton’s ‘gear haste’ caps @ 25% and can be covered by Ohtas + Visucius’s Mantle with Pet: Haste +10%, combined with a number of other equipment options such as Rimeice Earring, Thurandaut Ring, Klouskap Sash, Hurch'lan Sash, or pieces Heyoka, Tali’ah, or upgraded PUP AF. 'Magic Haste' caps at 43.75% and can be covered through Turbo Charger, Turbo Charger II, Optic fiber, and Optic fiber II with a Wind Maneuver and Light Maneuver.
- Thanks Xilkk and Capuchin!

A note about Animators:
It is good to have both versions of Animator on you depending on your role. Typically Divinator or Animator P/P +1 are used more often and keep the Automaton within melee range. But the II versions of the animators Divinator II and Animator P II/P II +1 can be used in situations where you want the Automaton to keep distance and focus on a specific role such as just casting, or just ranged damage, and have their place in Mage or Ranger builds.




In all cases you are going to be using some variation of Light and Fire Maneuvers (for Valor Edge and Sharpshot), I have just added comments on what each set favors.

Masquerade: Warrior

Attachments: Optic fiber, Optic fiber II, Auto-repair kit IV, Turbo Charger II, Strobe II, Tension Spring IV, Inhibitor, Inhibitor II, Armor plate IV, Mana Jammer IV, Coiler, Coiler II
Maneuvers: Light, Wind, Fire
One of the fire attachments are interchangeable: Tension Spring IV for either Strobe, Flame Holder, or Attuner depending on target.
Where this would be useful: Instances where your Automaton needs to do damage and have a sizable amount of survivability (certain Delve Bosses, Reisenjima Ascended NMs)

Masquerade: Paladin

Attachments: Optic fiber, Optic fiber II, Auto-repair kit IV, Flashbulb, Strobe, Strobe II, Mana Jammer III, Mana Jammer IV, Armor plate IV, Barrier module, Barrier module II, Analyzer
Maneuvers: Light, Earth, Fire
A single earth maneuver (or more) is required to take advantage of the barrier modules’ Shield Mastery and additions to shield block rate. Also Mana Jammer III is interchangeable with Steam Jacket based upon if target has magic damage or elemental weapon skills available.
Where this would be useful: Enemies that favor high physical damage (The Warrior’s Path II, Phantom Gem of Apathy, Glazemane).

Masquerade: Rune Fencer

Attachments: Optic fiber, Optic fiber II, Auto-repair kit IV, Flashbulb, Strobe, Strobe II, Mana Jammer III, Mana Jammer IV, Steam Jacket, Armor plate IV, Equalizer, Analyzer
Maneuvers: Light, Water, Fire
A single water maneuver (or more) can increase magic defense further, making enemy 2hrs like Chainspell, or a sudden increase in spell damage or frequency easily survivable.
Where this would be useful: Enemies that favor high magic damage (Omen bosses, Avatar Phantom Gem battles, Sinister Reign, Frog and Moogle Ambuscades).



Masquerade: Ranger I

Attachments: Optic fiber, Optic fiber II, Auto-repair kit IV, Turbo Charger II, Drum Magazine, Repeater, Inhibitor, Inhibitor II, Armor plate IV, Mana Jammer IV, Coiler, Coiler II
Maneuvers: Light, Wind, Fire
Mana Jammer IV is interchangeable with Flame Holder, Tension Spring IV, or Attuner.
Where this would be useful: A steady damage dealer with higher survivability for those AoEs, or light tanking. (All endgame content).

Masquerade: Ranger II

Attachments: Optic fiber, Optic fiber II, Auto-repair kit IV, Turbo Charger II, Drum Magazine, Repeater, Inhibitor, Inhibitor II, Speedloader, Speedloader II, Flame Holder, Coiler II
Maneuvers: Light, Wind, Fire
The Automaton will eat a Fire Maneuver every time it weaponskills with Flame Holder. Coiler II is interchangeable with Armor plate IV, or Attuner.
Where this would be useful: This relies on skillchain damage, best for anything the master can melee alongside the Automaton, or Automaton self-skillchain. (Most endgame content).

Masquerade: Ranger III

Attachments: Optic fiber, Optic fiber II, Auto-repair kit IV, Turbo Charger II, Drum Magazine, Repeater, Inhibitor, Inhibitor II, Heat capacitor, Heat Capacitor II, Flame Holder, Attuner
Maneuvers: Light, Wind, Fire
The Automaton will eat a Fire Maneuver every time it weaponskills and every time it assumes it needs TP (every 1min 30secs). Another alternative would be to use Barrage Turbine (every 3mins) instead of the Heat capacitors. Attuner is interchangeable with Heatsink, Coiler II, or Armor plate IV.
Where this would be useful: When the Automaton is your only or main source of damage. Double Heat capacitors will give you full TP upon use. The master must keep an eye on maneuvers and health at all times (All endgame content).



Masquerade: White Mage

Attachments: Optic fiber, Optic fiber II, Vivi-Valve II, Damage Gauge II, Mana booster, Tactical processor, Power cooler, Mana Jammer IV, Mana Conserver, Mana Converter, Mana tank IV, Armor Plate IV
Maneuvers: Light, Ice, Dark
Focus on reducing casting time and mp consumption for the longer or chain battles.
Where this would be useful: A sustainable healer that can take some damage, better for solo or party situations with predictable damage. (CP, Reisenjima Ascended NMs)

Masquerade: Red Mage

Attachments: Optic fiber II, Vivi-Valve II, Damage Gauge II, Tactical processor, Loudspeaker IV, Power cooler, Mana booster, Ice Maker, Mana tank III, Mana tank II, Mana Conserver, Economizer
Maneuvers: Light, Ice, Dark
The Automaton will eat an Ice Maneuver every time it nukes with Ice Maker, and a Dark Maneuver with Economizer to regain MP.
Where this would be useful: Situations where you need a little bit of everything: cures, buffs, and some magic damage (Salvage).

Masquerade: Black Mage I

Attachments: Optic fiber, Optic fiber II, Tactical processor, Ice maker, Loudspeaker IV, Loudspeaker III, Mana chaneller, Mana channeler II, Mana tank IV, Mana tank III, Economizer, Mana conserver
Maneuvers: Light, Ice, Dark
The Automaton will eat an Ice Maneuver every time it nukes with Ice Maker, and a Dark Maneuver with Economizer to regain MP. Can swap out Economizer + Mana conserver for Heatsink + Mana tank.
Where this would be useful: Set up for maximum damage single nukes, anything that requires magic damage. (All endgame content).

Masquerade: Black Mage II

Attachments: Optic fiber, Optic fiber II, Amplifier, Amplifier II, Loudspeaker IV, Ice Maker, Mana channeler, Mana channeler II, Mana tank IV, Mana tank III, Economizer, Mana convserver
Maneuvers: Light, Ice, Dark
The Automaton will eat an Ice Maneuver every time it nukes with Ice Maker, and a Dark Maneuver with Economizer to regain MP. Can swap out Economizer + Mana conserver for Heatsink + Mana tank.
Where this would be useful: Focusing on magic burst, this setup is best for following skillchains. (CP, All endgame content).



Credits: Capuchin (Phoenix), Jkun (Bahamut), Nezha (Fenrir), Shadowrokker (Ragnarok), Trulusia (Quetzalcoatl), and to all the other great PUPs I harvested information from.