I deployed my automaton on a distant target, and it used it's Strobe attachment to Provoke the target. Target wouldn't have any of that and totally ignored my automaton.
Platform: Windows XP
ISP: Online
Type of Internet Connection: DSL
Internet Connection Speed: 10Mbps
Date & Time: Januari 24th, 2012 22:40 CET
Frequency:Once
Character Name:Kristal
Race:Hume F
World: Bismarck
Main Job: PUP
Support Job: /DNC
Area and Coordinates: Dynamis - Beaucedine (J-9)
Party or Solo:Solo
NPC Name: None
Monster Name: Vanguard Vigilante
Steps:
1. Used Fire Maneuver.
2. Deployed Stormwaker automaton (with Strobe attachment) on Vanguard Vigilante at maximum distance.
3. Automaton ran towards target, used provoke on the run. Chatlog reads:
<quote>Comedie uses Provoke on the Vanguard Vigilante.
The Vanguard Vigilante's target switches to Comedie.</quote>
4. Vanguard Vigilante turns around and casually strolls away from my automaton, who stopped outside melee range to cast Haste on me.
5. I used Retrieve, target does not pursue nor does it cause any surrounding mobs to agro.
Automaton's Provoke did work on other targets (inside and outside of dynamis), both as initial agro (does not claim) and during battle, so I suspect distance might have been an issue.