Shaman of Stone

[Zathyr]

So I have an idea I'm kind of kicking around. This would be for PFS. I'd be interested in some feedback, or some ideas I haven't thought of.

Shaman class, primary spirit being stone, probably dwarf. I've actually never played a dwarf in Pathfinder, but I like the race and the theme fits here. That human/half-human favored class option is super juicy, but I think I just prefer the character concept of a dwarven stone shaman. Extra wisdom either way. Going to play him mostly as a caster (with hexes). Buffs/debuffs, some control, some healing.

One question: if a hex doesn't mention a save, does that mean there is none? Metal Curse seems strictly worse than Evil Eye (at least until 16th level which I'll never see in PFS) unless it doesn't allow a save.

Another question on something I'm a little uncertain on: when you take the Magical Lineage trait, does the associated spell need to be one you can cast at the time? I was thinking of the Toppling Spell/Spiritual Weapon combo. Will I need to wait until 3rd level and pick up Additional Traits at that point? I may just do that regardless. The extra traits wouldn't be bad - there's a lot of good dwarf traits. But I don't know if that's something I'd need to do or not.

4th level Hex will likely be Stone Stability, to get Improved trip at 5th from that. If I really want to focus on this, I could take Fury's Fall as my normal feat at 5th (and Greater at 10th, for as long as that'll last). I'm not sure just how much I want to invest into the trip schtick though. I might prefer an Extra Hex. But shaman's a nicely flexible class without necessarily needing feats. I like the versatility, but I know being really good at one thing is often nice. If I'm up against something that can't be tripped, I still have other options.

So yeah it's just some rough ideas at this point. I usually keep my builds a little loose - some direction but not mapping everything out.

[Zathyr]

So trying to search for these answers on my own and coming up dry. I know that there's a default save DC for curses, and many say what happens with a will save. I'm just not sure if there's a default will save for any curse that can affect an opponent, across the board.

[avr]

There's no requirement that you be able to cast the spell at 1st level to take the trait. If you're playing from first level you might well want to, but there's no clause that says you have to.

At present there's no save required on Metal Curse. That's not saying they won't change it in future (q.v. Confusing Bombs) though.

[Zathyr]

So, no advice? Other useful traits or feats? I realize that Shaman is a fairly new class and not many have played it, and Stone is probably not the most popular spirit. But there have been similar builds with Toppling Spell. Anyone play one, and have some feedback on it? Even "Don't do that. It's a terrible idea."

[Robert Burnell 821]

At level 5 you could take improved familiar and get yourself an baby earth elemental. Getting divine favor some how, would be nice for a melee flanking build, just get elemental for touch spells though the ground?