Just unlocked and have some question

[Artaniss]

Hey all, I just unlocked the job and was wondering do i need anything from 1-10 and once I get 10 do i need to upgrade my pup? Please someone tell me what I should nbe doing from 1-50 so I can get an understanding of what and when to upgrade my Automon. Thanks...
P.S. When you level does your puppet level automatically with you? And when I reach 10 do I get a new automon? Thanks all...

[Annalise]

Upgrading automaton:
http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Puppetmaster:_Upgrading_Your_Automaton

Info on automaton heads, frames, skills, spells, and attachments:
http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Automaton

Attachments are kind of like scrolls for other jobs. Once you trade one in, you have it forever to customize your automaton with. All attachments can used at level 1, though some are very pricey.

[Mayoyama]

Your automaton does gain xp levels per se, but it does require skilling up for magic, melee and ranged (and its very important to keep these as capped as possible if you can... they are a pain to skill, and even moreso if you let them fall too far behind)

[Ziyyigo-Tipyigo]

http://www.playonline.com/pcd/update/ff11us/20060418lfQ7d3/detail.html

[Artaniss]

Whats the best way to keep these skill capped? DO i change up the automon every few levels so I can level the melee skills on the melee pup range skills on range pup etc?

[Helyos]

That's absolutely right. Mix it up while you're doing GoV and you'll be fine. And please, whatever you do, don't Gusgen>>Aby PUP. It won't end well.

[Artaniss]

Can I gusgen , CN and work my way up to 75 then go to ABY? I mean as a Pup i can book burn right using govs and stuff right?

[Helyos]

Yes. Try to keep the monsters around decent challenge to ep+. You'll have a easier time keeping skills in check. Just because a page caps out 15-20 levels after that doesn't mean you should stay there. 75 for Aby I would say yes, but because levels go by extremely fast, your skills might get left by the wayside. This was my problem when abyssea was introduced, and I have yet to cap ranged and melee still.

My advice would be to maybe gain like 5 levels in Aby, get out and cap your skills with GoV, go back and get another 5, etc.

[Artaniss]

Thank you so much for replies. Now I just hit 10 and was wondering what upgrade pet I should get, and what upgrades I should get him as far as attachments etc? I think I read its smart to get ranged pet because that skill is a pain to cap. Please give me some more of your guidance :) Thanks..

[Telford]

Traditionally the progressions is Harl > Sharpshot > Stormwaker > Valoredge > Soulsoother > Spiritreaver
Sharpshot first because its the hardest to skill up but is great in parties. If you plan to solo more you might want to consider Stormwaker first for the cures and buffs.

If you have a high level job you can cap you skills by subbing pup and tanking for your puppet while it skills up. So if you had a 99 dancer you can cap your automatons skills to lv 49 by holding hate on level appropriate mobs for your /pup level (mobs lv 1-50) and let your puppet wail on the mob for skill ups. If your 35 whm is your highest job you can cap your automaton skills up to lv 17.

Buy a buffoons collar (no need for +1) to macro in for maneuvers (don't melee in it). When you level you need to deactivate and reactivate your puppet so it's at its new level. If you're strapped for gil focus on just getting the attachments sold in Nashmau (some can be bought slightly cheaper on the AH if you're lucky) and the ones you can buy with imperial standing. Some can be skipped like the tactical Processor, volt gun and reactive shield, some are only useful once you have the right frame and can be bought after you get that frame (Barrier Module, Hammer Mill, Scope, Barrage Turbine, Drum Magazine). And there's little need to buy most of the magic/mp attachments until you get stormwaker.