Atleast 1 point into Role Reversal and Ventriloquy is a awesome thing to have. Depending on which frames you find yourself focusing on is how you throw your merits about~

Automaton Magic Skill 5/5
Automaton Melee Skill 0/5
Automaton Ranged Skill 5/5

Role Reversal 1/5
Ventriloquy 1/5
Fine-Tuning 3/5
Optimization 5/5

^ how I spent mine; I find myself on Sharpshot most of the time, in and out of Abyssea.. Armor Shatterer is crazy - thus focused on the Ranged and Magic, for Spiritreaver and Soulsoother for those quiet solo times I have ^_^

These will vary from player to player though, that is how I distributed my merits.

Situational is situational, etc.