Unsworn Shaman Dip on a Witch

[Hubaris]

I'm building a character for an upcoming campaign (Witch (Cartomancer) 7 / Harrower 10) and I was wondering if it was worth going Witch (Cartomancer) 6 / Shaman (Unsworn) 1 / Harrower 10 instead. My Hexes are all non-save or non factor (Evil Eye, Fortune, Cackle, etc), so the DCs don't matter. I'm mainly utilizing it for the early [Curse] spell access, the weird list, and Vampiric Touch/Bestow Curse at range, among other things.

[Stuff about not losing Caster Levels here]

However the Unsworn Shaman dip will net me a Flexible Hex every morning... this can lead to:
- Craft Wondrous Item (Shaman Hex, Fetish. Comes with the +4 Spellcraft)
- Brew Potion (Witch Hex, Cauldron. Comes with +4 Spellcraft)
- Changeable Metamagic Feat (Shaman Hex, Secret. Can be changed each morning to a new one for the day)
- Chant (Shaman Hex, Chant. Cackle until I get a Cackling Hag's Blouse)

In addition I gain a Familiar's bonus (Alertness, Valet for quickened crafting, +2 Fort/+4 Initiative, etc), some extra health (D8 at level 1), a couple Shaman spells per day, a couple skill points and access to Divine feats later (Divine Interference as the game goes on). Note, we are using Partial BAB/Partial Saves, so I won't lose any BAB, however I won't gain the +2 Will from the Shaman Dip (though my progression on Will will not fall).

I was planning on taking Craft Wondrous and 3 Metamagics for Spell Perfection anyway, so the dip provides me 2 effective feats to play with. But the question is, is it worth it? Is dropping to Sorcerer progression that crippling?

Thoughts? Ideas?

I also stumbled across the Ritual Hex feat, though I doubt it would allow me to snag Secret and Fetish with only Witch Levels. Doubtful, but does anyone have insight on that? I'd be able to get my cake and eat it too... Witch seems too good to be true.

[Soul Devourer]

Well, here's my two cents...
Pretty sure you can't get Shaman hexes through Ritual Hex, as you don't qualify for them. There's Spirit Talker to get a Shaman hex for an hour, not much use I guess...
I wouldn't also let you qualify for Divine Interference as you'll be a 1st level divine caster, though RAW I guess you could (talk to your GM).
I think the dip could make sense mainly for CWI and a metamagic feat (your familiar wouldn't scale), though I would stay straight witch.

I took a look at the Harrower PrC: flavorwise it looks quite good, but does it work mechanically? I am asking also because I am interested in it. Harrow Casting is very interesting but quite random, and you cannot use metamagic. Spirit Deck looks pretty awful.
Anyway, if you're going to stay witch, I would go into the PrC at 7th (at 6th you've got your hex and patron spell).
The main problem of the PrC is of course the loss of patron spells, Major and Great hexes.

[Hubaris]

Divine Interference would qualify, both RAW and via GM so I'm not too worried.

The scaling familiar isn't really necessary, all the important things (Saves, Skills, Valet Craft Bonus, Alertness, HP) all either happen at 1st or scale naturally. I won't need it to deliver spells anyway via Cartomancer.

RE: Harrower, I'm dropping Spirit Deck entirely as its pretty much not worth the points on Cha (I suspect it to be on average 25 non resistable damage, but thats not good enough justification to knock down Dex or Con some more points). Once per day is alright.

Harrow Casting is a mixed bag, I think the 1st 3 and the last Tower are fine, with Con and Dex being lackluster. I'm mainly going to use it on spells I don't Metamagic anyway (the random Lightning Bolt or False Life here or there).

Yeah I'm waiting until 6th as well to snag Patron Spell (Haste) and Evil Eye upgrade (we ruled +2 Witch Level for Dire Witchcraft, making it 8).

[Soul Devourer]

Hubaris wrote:

Divine Interference would qualify, both RAW and via GM so I'm not too worried.

The scaling familiar isn't really necessary, all the important things (Saves, Skills, Valet Craft Bonus, Alertness, HP) all either happen at 1st or scale naturally. I won't need it to deliver spells anyway via Cartomancer.

Then I'd say go for it if you like the dip. I guess for this build you'll have considered both Soothsayer and Flight. Swamp's Grasp could be nice as well, if you start at a low level and given the right party composition.