Hi, thanks for the input. This is greatly appreciated. I'll try to explain each point:
>Text has 1d6 sneak attack gained each 4 levels, table has 1d6 each 5 levels.
The sneak attack progression is based on the marionette's HD, not levels.
>The bard has no obvious ability to repair their marionette, or to replace it if its destroyed.
Yep, you're correct. Aside from mending, the bard has no access to Make Whole. I've added an entry to explain how to replace a lost or broken marionette as well as added the spells to repair constructs. Thanks.
>Is there a maximum range the bard can control the marionette at? Do they need line of sight or line of effect to it?
The range is given on the table. Line of sight required.
>Do wondrous items need to be specially called out to work on a construct/marionette, or would most work?
Pretty sure I already wrote that down. the marionette 'cannot benefit from or use wondrous items except from those that would affect objects and constructs.'
>I'm not sure why you'd call this a trickster bard. Combat yes, teamwork yes, performance not especially, but not a trickster in any case any more than a cavalier is.
Ventriloquy lets the bard fight through his marionette as though there was a 2nd bard in the party.
The marionette can hold and deliver touch spells and even maintain a bardic performance, letting the bard do other tasks such as concentrating on illusions, skill checks, performing a separate performance, etc. Take note, all the puppeteer needs is a free action to maintain control of the marionette, he still has a standard, move and a swift action.
Furthermore, the marionette gains Construct Points, granting it special abilities that further specializes it to excel at certain tasks.
>At a glance no, right now it trades a lot of out of combat ability for a lot of in-combat ability, but I might change my mind.
The marionette shares the same skills as the puppeteer - letting the puppeteer perform tasks through his marionette as pickpocketing, disarming traps, manipulating objects, etc at a safe distance, or performing multiple tasks in unison. What it lacks in skill versatility, it makes up for in other aspects.
