It can't see enemies while it is in a square[cube] of earth, so it would rely on heavily penalized Perception checks to Pin-Point enemies, and if it can Pin-Point them, those attacks would be at 50% Miss Chance for Full Concealment (reducable via Blind-Fight, although that doesn't address the Perception check itself) if it attacks from within the earth.
Anybody else can freely see what square[cube] attacks are coming from, so unless it moves after the attack(s) that is still accurate for it's location. Even if it doesn't attack, everybody is still entitled to Perception checks with equivalent penalties to notice/Pin-Point the Elemental's location underground/in the walls.
It has Total Cover there from non-Earth Gliders (or also vs. Earth Gliders?), and can't be targetted by spells other than area spells that affect the earth. So there are very strong aspects, but with limitations such that you will often want to discard those in order to be more effective. Also, while it is in the earth, it will be very difficult to communicate with it (I believe the Arcane Cantrip "Message" would not work, although Telepathy would), never mind that it can barely Perceive anything itself.
Spring Attack might be desirable, although anybody can Ready attacks for when it appears outside the earth. There is a Feat "Strike Back" that also allows Readying attacks vs. enemies outside of your Reach, which seems like it would also apply to Elementals attacking from within a square[cube] of earth.
I probably missed something else... ;-)
You're right, Tremorsense works for Pinpointing alot of creatures, you just need Perception to be aware of anything outside of that range or that isn't touching the earth (i.e. standing on a barrel or flying). Tremorsense also is not aware of inanimate objects within it's range. Similar dynamic to Blind Curse Oracles, better and worse in different ways. Even Tremorsense'd creatures still have Full Concealment though, not to mention lack on situational awareness as to what they are actually doing.
And yeah, I think I was confusing my WISH that the Stone Servant could advance and be customizable like a Companion :-) for the actual reality that it's not different than a Summons in that regard.
Over-all, there are just a good amount of limitations to deal with/ be aware of, but they don't kill it's viability, and I think it's strong over all, both the Stone Servant itself and the Class Archetype.
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Unfortunately i don't think it can take feats that elemetals don't get be default because it says it replaces divine bond.
At 5th level, a stonelord may call a Small earth elemental to her side, as a paladin calls her mount. This earth elemental is Lawful Good in alignment and possesses the celestial template, and it increases in size as the stonelord gains levels, becoming Medium at 8th level, Large at 11th level, Huge at 14th level, Greater at 17th level, and Elder at 20th level.
This ability replaces divine bond.
That's a good point. It does specify a "small earth elemental", and doesn't suggest anywhere that this elemental uses the same advancement as an Animal Companion. Judging by the fact that it grows to Huge, whereas all other companions top out at Large, reinforces that idea.
I've never encountered a Stonelord in PFS play. I wonder how others handle it.
That's a good point. It does specify a "small earth elemental", and doesn't suggest anywhere that this elemental uses the same advancement as an Animal Companion. Judging by the fact that it grows to Huge, whereas all other companions top out at Large, reinforces that idea.
I think the fact that it advances to elder, which is just a huge elemental with a slightly different stat block, is much more telling.
And Darthslash, the Earthglide ability works a little differently from the Burrow Spell. It specifically says that you move through the earth like other creature would move through water, and you do not leave those kinds of disturbances (although tremor sense would still detect your presence).