Puppetmaster Solo ENM

I have only won this ENM once, so take my advice in that context. First time I tried, I got the Fantoccini Mannequin to 66%. Second time, I got it to 49%. Third time, I got it to 2%. Fourth time, 17%. Fifth time, 87%. Then, the October 18th update occurred and it gave Automatons more elemental capacities. The sixth time, 1% (I would have won if my ISP hadn't started to disconnect me). Seventh time, I had my first win and won a Tactical Processor.

Short list of items you'll need for this ENM:

• Automaton Oil+2
• Reraise Earring or Hairpin (earring is cheaper as you don't lose XP in ENMs)
• Icarus Wing
• Vile Elixir
• Persikos au Lait
• Hi-Potions or Hi-Potion Tank (6 Hi-Potions should be enough)
• Sole Sushi, Meat Mithkabob, or high damage food (if you don't have problems with accuracy, go with higher damage foods)

I set my Automaton to Valoredge head and body frame. Since this ENM doesn't allow sub job abilities, I figure it is best to have my Automaton tank for me. Sharpshot frame will probably do more damage, but won't last against the Fantoccini and the Fantoccini's Automaton for long. Stormwaker frame will be able to cure you and itself. However, Stormwaker frame will last an even shorter time than Sharpshot because of its low HP and the Fantoccini's fast attacks.

After choosing Valoredge, here are the attachments I equipped:

• Strobe (for Provoke)
• Tension Spring
• Inhibitor
• Accelerator
• Shock Absorber (for Stoneskin)
• Armor Plate
• Analyzer
• Stabilizer
• Volt Gun
• Heat Seeker
• Auto-Repair Kit (for Regen)
• Flashbulb (for Flash)

If you have Tier 2 attachments, I suggest using this combination with Valoredge (I won with this):

• Strobe (for Provoke)
• Tension Spring
• Inhibitor
• Tension Spring II
• Shock Absorber (for Stoneskin)
• Armor Plate
• Analyzer
• Armor Plate II
• Volt Gun
• Stabilizer II
• Flashbulb (for Flash)
• Auto-Repair Kit II (for Regen)

Eat your food before entering. Remember that any buffs outside of food will go away upon entering. After entering the ENM, activate your Automaton, then use your Reraise Earring. The earring goes last because there's a long cool down between using the earring and doing anything else. After about 30 seconds from activating your automaton, use your first maneuver (to prevent overload).

Maneuvers I used:

• Fire (for Provoke and Strength enhancement)
• Earth (for Stoneskin) or Fire (if you want your Automaton to have extra enmity and Strength)
• Light (for Flash and Regen)

Since there's a ten second recast between maneuvers, you can approach the arena while waiting to activate them. Upon reaching the arena, stand at the edge. Now, the fun starts. You'll want to Deploy your Automaton against the Fantoccini, then Retrieve it back to the edge of the arena. This is so if you die and decide to reraise within the ENM, you'll be close enough to re-engage. Yet, far enough not to be attacked when you reraise.

Once your Automaton is back beside you re-Deploy it against the Fantoccini. When you first Deployed your Automaton, the Fantoccini will activate its Fantoccini's Automaton. Both the Fantoccini and Fantoccini's Automaton will attack the same target (hopefully your Automaton). You should engage the Fantoccini, use Repair (with Automaton Oil+2 equipped), and use Overdrive. This is also a good time to use the Persikos au Lait. Your original maneuvers will begin to wear, so recycle through them.

At this point, luck and good judgment is the key. My Automaton normally died after two weapon skills from the Fantoccini and the Moblin Fantocciniman constantly rolled against my favor (300% TP or increase attack). But after equipping the Tier 2 attachments (Armor Plate II and Auto-Repair Kit II helped tremendously), my Automaton lasted much longer.

When to use your Icarus Wing is a good question. Some people prefer using at the beginning. I waited until I had 100% TP, used Raging Fists, used the Icarus Wing, then used another Raging Fists. This drew some hate off my Automaton for a few seconds and allowed my Automaton to regenerate some HP before the Fantoccini was Provoked back to it. You may wonder why I didn't self-chain weapon skills. I could do Spinning Attack, then Raging Fists for Fusion. However, Spinning Attack is an area of effect weapon skill, and I don't want to risk bringing the Moblin Fantocciniman into the fight by damaging him.

Once your Automaton dies, it's difficult to keep HP up against the onslaught of both the Fantoccini and the Fantoccini's Automaton. Be sure to keep an eye on your HP and your Repair timer. Try to keep your HP above 40% (30% minimum) with your Hi-Potions. When/if your Automaton dies, decide to use the Vile Elixir with your best judgment.

Good luck.

Armoury Crate	Type	Description
2000 EXP Points!
Worm Mulch
Attuner	Attachment	Enhances attack against strong enemies
Drum Magazine	Attachment	Sacrifices accuracy for speed in ranged attacks
Equalizer	Attachment	Reduces damage received according to damage taken
Erase	Attachment	Erase enfeebling and maneuver effects
Mana Channeler	Attachment	Increases magic recast time in exchange for increased magic attack
Smoke Screen	Attachment	Decreases accuracy, increases evasion
Tactical Processor	Attachment	Decreases decision-making time, but increases the tendency to overload
Target Marker	Attachment	Enhances accuracy against strong enemies