Job Idea: Puppetmaster (Caster)

[Mimilu]

Puppetmaster (PUP)
Stack Gaining, Spell-Weaponskill Hybrid Caster
Weapon: Puppets/Dolls/Automatons
Attack Type: Blunt
Limit Break: Deus Ex Machina
Inspiration: Cait Sith from VII remakes, Lulu from X, Puppetmaster from XI, Commedia dell’arte, Greek Theatre, Storytelling



TL;DR version
• Puppets aren’t pets, they’re your weapon
• Gain stacks from your spell combos to perform your magical, ranged weaponskill combo and other skills
• Collect one-of-three Toy stacks randomly from your weaponskills, then use those Toy stacks for your Magic Toybox (using 1 Toy stack) or Mega Magic Toybox (using 3) abilities
• Use special stance-spells to both guarantee certain Toy stacks get generated and grant the user varying effects

Special Mechanics

Filler Combos, Stacks, and Weaponskills
Similar to PCT, the first and second skills in both of Puppetmaster’s combos grant 30 second effects that change the button to the next part of the combo, spells being Story Progression and Story Progression II, and weaponskills being Catharsis and Catharsis II.
While going through their spell combos, Puppetmasters gain Act stacks (max: 3), which can then be used on for various skills.
Puppetmaster’s main use for Act stacks is to sic their puppets on enemies via magical, ranged-weaponskills. These weaponskills do unaspected magical damage and use the user’s INT stat.
Another major use for Act stacks is the spell Catastrophe, a hard hitting spell that costs 3 Act stacks, which will grant the user a stack of Climatic Finish (max: 4). Climatic Finish stacks are then used for the Curtain Call ability. When starting an instance, Puppetmasters start with 4 stacks of Climatic Finish.

Toys, Toyboxes, and Archetypes
When the user’s puppet performs the weaponskills in its combo, the user is granted one-of-three Toy stacks. These toys can then be loaded into the Puppemaster’s Magic Toybox (1) or Mega Magic Toybox (3).

A Puppetmaster can only hold up to 3 Toy stacks at a time, with new stacks replacing older ones.

Toy Types
Dice: Die that affects the user’s Direct Hit and Critical Hit.
Plushies: Plush dolls with explosive surprises inside that do heavy damage.
Hearts: Heartshaped gems that grant mitigating and supportive boons.

Additionally, the user can have their puppet take on the persona of an Archetype via their Mimesis spells to guarantee certain Toy stacks: Arlecchino for Dice, Pantalone for Plushies, and Columbina for Hearts. Each Mimesis spell has a 30 second duration and a 120 second cooldown separate from each other. A player can only have 1 Mimesis effect on them at a time, with any new one replacing the old.

Special Gauge(s)
• Toybox Gauge: Three boxes that show what Toy stacks the user currently has, newest on the right, oldest on the left. The left box is highlighted and shows what Toy stack will be used for Magic Toybox, Switcheroo, and/or Swazzled Jeer. Additionally, the gauge’s UI will change color based on the matching Toy stacks the user has: Gray for mismatched stacks, Light Green for 2 Dice, Green for 3 Dice, Light Red for 2 Plushies, Red for 3 Plushies, Light Blue for 2 Hearts, Blue for 3 Hearts.
• Storyteller’s Table: Shows how many Act and Climatic Finish stacks the user has via 3 and 4 gems (respectfully) that light up. Additionally, shows which Mimesis effect is currently activated.

Basic End Game Skill Breakdown

Button Count: 21

Spell Combos
Single Target (All on 1 button)
• Protasis: Spell. Damage a selected target (320). Additionally, grants the user Story Progression (duration: 30 seconds) and 1 Act stack (max: 3). 1.5 second cast time, 2.5 second recast. 400 MP cost.
• Epitasis: Spell. Takes the place of Protasis while the user is under the effect of Story Progression and uses it up. Damage a selected target (380). Additionally, grants the user Story Progression II (duration: 30 seconds) and 1 Act stack (max: 3). 1.5 second cast time, 2.5 second recast. 400 MP cost.
• Catastasis: Spell. Takes the place of Protasis/Epitasis while the user is under the effect of Story Progression II and uses it up. Damage a selected target (440). Additionally, grants the user an Act stack (max: 3). 1.5 second cast time, 2.5 second recast. 400 MP cost.

AoE (All on 1 button)
• Protasis II: Spell. Damage a selected target and all enemies within 8-yalms of them (140). Additionally, grants the user Story Progression (duration: 30 seconds) and 1 Act stack (max: 3). 1.5 second cast time, 2.5 second recast. 400 MP cost.
• Epitasis II: Spell. Takes the place of Protasis II while the user is under the effect of Story Progression and uses it up. Damage a selected target and all enemies within 8-yalms of them (180). Additionally, grants the user Story Progression II (duration: 30 seconds) and 1 Act stack (max: 3). 1.5 second cast time, 2.5 second recast. 400 MP cost.
• Catastasis II: Spell. Takes the place of Protasis II/Epitasis II while the user is under the effect of Story Progression II and uses it up. Damage a selected target and all enemies within 8-yalms of them (220). Additionally, grants the user an Act stack (max: 3). 1.5 second cast time, 2.5 second recast. 400 MP cost.

Weaponskills Combos
Single Target Combo (All on 1 button)
• Slapstick SLIP TACKLE!: Weaponskill. Requires 1 Act stack. Damage a selected target (400). Additionally, grants the user a random Toy stack and Catharsis (duration: 30 seconds). Instant cast time, 2.5 second recast.
• Slapstick PUNCH!: Weaponskill. Requires 1 Act stack and replaces Slapstick PUNCH! While the user is under the effect of Catharsis and uses it up. Damage a selected target (450). Additionally, grants the user a random Toy stack and Catharsis II (duration: 30 seconds). Instant cast time, 2.5 second recast.
• Slapstick FINISHER!: Weaponskill. Requires 1 Act stack and replaces Slapstick PUNCH!/Slapstick TACKLE! While the user is under the effect of Catharsis II and uses it up. Damage a selected target (520). Additionally, grants the user a random Toy stack. Instant cast time, 2.5 second recast.

AoE Combo(All on 1 button)
• Merry Making BAM!: Weaponskill. Requires 1 Act stack. Damage a selected target and all enemies within 8-yalms (240). Additionally, grants the user a random Toy stack and Catharsis (duration: 30 seconds). Instant cast time, 2.5 second recast.
• Merry Making BOOM!: Requires 1 Act stack and replaces Merry Making BAM! While the user is under the effect of Catharsis and uses it up. Damage a selected target and all enemies within 8-yalms (260). Additionally, grants the user a random Toy stack and Catharsis II (duration: 30 seconds). Instant cast time, 2.5 second recast.
• Merry Making KABOOM!: Weaponskill. Requires 1 Act stack and replaces Merry Making BAM!/ Merry Making BOOM! While the user is under the effect of Catharsis II and uses it up. Damage a selected target and all enemies within 8-yalms (280). Additionally, grant the user a random Toy stack. Instant cast time, 2.5 second recast.

Other DPS Skills
• Catastrophe: Spell. Requires 3 Act stacks. Damage a selected target and all enemies within 8-yalms (600). Additionally, grants the user a Climactic Finish stack (mas: 4). 1.5 second cast time, 30 second cooldown.
• Peripeteia: Spell. Damage a selected target (320). Instant cast time, 2.5 second recast. 400 MP cost.
• String Clipper: Ability. Damage a selected target (140). Additionally, damage them over 30 seconds (70). Instant cast time, 15 second cooldown and shares a cooldown String Shredder.
• String Shredder: Ability. Damage a selected target and all enemies within 8-yalms (100). Additionally, places an 8-yalm circle for 30 seconds that damages any enemy standing in it (35). Instant cast time, 15 second cooldown and shares a cooldown with String Clipper.

Toys Skills
• Magic Toybox: Ability. Uses up the user’s oldest Toy stack. Result varies depending on what Toy stack was used up. Instant cast time, 30 second cooldown.

○ Dice: Damage a selected target and all enemies within 8-yalms (300 for the first target, 40% less for rest). Additionally, increase the user’s Direct Hit by 15% for 15 seconds.
○ Plushie: Damage a selected target and all enemies within 8-yalms (400 for the first target, 40% less for rest).
○ Heart: Place a barrier on a selected partymember that absorbs damage equal to 20% of their maximum HP (duration: 15 seconds). Additionally, damage any enemy that damages the barrier (100).

• Mega Magic Toybox: Spell. Requires 3 Toy Stacks. Damages a selected target and all enemies within 8-yalms (1000 for the first target, 40% less for the remaining). Additionally, provides additional effects depending on what kind and how many matching Toy stacks were used. Instant cast time, 60 second cooldown.

○ No Matching: Additionally, grants the user 1 random Toy stack
○ 2 Dice: Additionally, increase the user’s Critical Hit by 10% for 20 seconds.
○ 3 Dice: Additionally, increase the user’s Critical Hit by 20% for 20 seconds.
○ 2 Plushies: Additionally, damage all enemies hit over 18 seconds (30)
○ 3 Plushies: Additionally, damage all enemies hit over 18 seconds (50)
○ 2 Hearts: Additionally, decrease damage all partymembers within 20-yalms of the user receives by 10% for 10 seconds.
○ 3 Hearts: Additionally, decrease damage all partymembers within 20-yalms of the user receives by 10% for 10 seconds. Additionally, reduce the cast time of the next 3 spells the caster uses by 1.5 seconds(duration: 15 seconds).

• Switcharoo: Ability. Has 2 charges. Changes the user’s oldest Toy stack into a different type. Instant cast time, 30 second cooldown. Shares a cooldown and charges with Swazzled Jeer.
• Swazzled Jeer: Ability. Has 2 charges. Uses up the user’s oldest Toy stack. Damage a selected target (150). Additionally, grants the user 1 Act stack (max: 3). Instant cast time, 30 second cooldown. Shares a cooldown and charges with Switcharoo.

Archetypes Skills
• Mimesis: Arlechinno: Spell. For 30 seconds, the user’s Puppet takes on the persona of the trickster Arlechinno, guaranteeing that the user gains Dice toy stacks. Additionally, reduces Magic Toybox’s cooldown by 15 seconds. Instant cast time, 120 second cooldown. This effect will replace any other Mimesis effect on the user.
• Mimesis: Pantalone: Spell. For 30 seconds, the user’s puppet takes on the persona of the miser Pantalone, guaranteeing that the user gains Plushie toy stacks. Additionally, increase the potency of the user’s weaponskills by 5%. Instant cast time, cast time, 120 second cooldown. This effect will replace any other Mimesis effect on the user.
• Mimesis: Columbina: Spell. For 30 seconds, the user’s puppet takes on the persona of the ingénue Columbina, guaranteeing that the user gains Heart toy stacks. Additionally, whenever the user uses a Slapstick or Merry Making weaponskill, they recover 500 MP. Instant cast time, 120 second cooldown. This effect will replace any other Mimesis effect on the user.
• Degisis: Spell. Can only be used while the user is under the effect of an Archetype. For 20 seconds, increase the Critical Hit of all partymembers standing within 30-yalms of the user by 3%. Additionally, grants the user an additional effect depending on which Archetype the user has activated. Instant cast time, 60 second cooldown.

○ Arlechinno: Increase the Critical Hit of the user by 5% for 20 seconds.
○ Pantalone: Increase the potency user spells by 5% for 20 seconds.
○ Columbina: Decrease damage all partymembers within 30-yalms of the user receives by 10% for 15 seconds.

• Aristeia: Ability. Can only be activated while the user is under the effect of an Archetype. Grants the user 3 Toy stacks based on what Archetype they have active: Dice for Arlechinno, Plushies for Pantalone, and Hearts for Columbina. Instant cast time, 120 second cooldown.

Other Skills
• Curtain Call: Ability. Requires 4 Climatic Finish stacks. For the next 3 casts of Protasis I/II, Epitasis I/II, and/or Catastasis I/II spells, the user’s puppet will also use the corresponding Slapstick or Merry Making weaponskill at the same time for 40% of the potency and do not generate Toy stacks (duration: 15 seconds). Instant cast time, 2.5 second cooldown.
• En Media Res: Ability. Has 2 charges. Grants the user 3 Act stacks (duration: 30 seconds). Instant cast time, 60 second cooldown.
• Eucatastrophe: Ability. Place a barrier on the user that absorbs damage equal to 20% of their maximum HP (duration: 15 seconds). Instant cast time, 120 second cooldown.
• Stage Left: Ability. Teleport to a selected area within 20-yalms. Instant cast time, 30 second cooldown.

Potential Opener

Single-Target
(Starting with 4 Climatic Finish stacks)
Pre-pull (2.5 seconds): Mimesis: Pantalone (30 seconds)
Pull (0): Peripeteia > En Media Res (3 Act stacks)
2.5s: Degisis (20 seconds) > Aristeia (3 Plushies) + Potion/Tincture (30 seconds)
5s: Mega Magic Toybox (0 Toy stacks) > Curtain Call (3, 15 seconds, 0 Climatic Finish)
7.5s: Catastrophe (1 Climatic Finish) > String Clipper (30 seconds)
10s: Protasis + Slapstick SLIP TACKLE! (2 Curtain Call, 1 Act)
12.5s: Epitasis + Slapstick PUNCH! (1 Curtain Call, 2 Act)
15s: Catastasis + Slapstick FINISHER! (0 Curtain Call, 3 Act)
17.5s: Slapstick SLIP TACKLE! (2 Act, 1 Plushie) > Magic Toybox (0 Toy stacks)
20s: Slapstick PUNCH! (1 Act, 1 Plushie) > String Clipper (30 Seconds)
22.5s: Slapstick FINISHER! (0 Act, 2 Plushie) > Swazzled Jeer (1 Act, 1 Plushie)
(Degisis ends)
25s: Slapstick SLIP TACKLE! (0 Act, 2 Plushie)
27.5s: Protasis (1 Act)
(Mimesis: Pantalone ends)
30s: Epitasis (2 Act)
32.5s: Catastasis (3 Act)
(Potion/Tincture ends)

For Aoe, swap out your single-target combos for your AoE and String Clipper for String Shredder

Defining the Mimesis Phases
Pantalone: Your high damage phase. Use it for your opener.
Columbina: Your safety net phase. Good for prog, boss phases with high damage, or when you need MP.
Arlechinno: Your mini-burst phase. Best used when Mega Magic Toybox and Degisis are both back up around the 60 second mark to push your damage.
No Mimesis: Your “naked” phase. Toys are now RNG, so use Switcharoo or Swazzled Jeer as needed to set yourself up, preferably at the 30 or 90 second marks.