Multiple State Machine Questions

Hello, I’m still a novice when it comes to animations blueprints, so I’m looking for advice and some answers to questions regarding state machines. Currently I have a single state machine that handles the locomotion for Cover Stand, Cover Crouch, Surrender, Rifle Stand, Rifle Crouch, Rifle Prone, Crouch, and Stand animations.

I’m about to start adding some more states (scared, and pistol locomotion animations). Here are my questions.

  1. My single state machine is starting to become too cumbersome. Is it better practice and/or better performance to use multiple state machines rather than a single large state machine?
  2. How should I split up the animations into state machines? I’m thinking just having Rifle, Pistol, Scared, Cover, No Weapon, and Surrender as all different states.
  3. How should I handle transitioning between the states? Blend by int or enum?
  4. Is there anything else I need to know about using multiple state machines?