Hexes are a standard action to activate unless otherwise stated.
Feather Fall, per the spell, is an immediate action.
With my witches, I've assumed that hexes like Flight would normally take a standard action to activate, and then remain active until you turned them off (crossing off increments of 1 minute from your minutes of use). Abraham makes a good point, though, that Feather Fall would be the exception and allow you to activate it as an immediate action. (I assume you don't lose this ability at higher levels! It's poorly written.)
I haven't tried prehensile hair myself, but I think they were assuming that you'd make a normal attack with your hands/weapon. I'd agree with you about what happens if you only attack with your beard or whatever. The question remains: why bother?
I'm playing a Hedge Witch right now, and I just assumed she'd get the two powers immediately. It sure doesn't say, "Starting at 4th/8th level..."
What touch "spells?" I'm not aware of witch hexes with a range of Touch, and "Split Hex" only applies to hexes. And what *? Can you link or quote some examples?
When something replaces something you get at a certain level, you get it when you would have gotten what it replaces. Hence 'replaces'.
Shoot! Well, it's all right for me, because my GMC started at 5th, and I haven't used the 8th-level replacement yet. But I'll have to change my character sheet. That spontaneous Cure is the hallmark of a Hedge Witch. To have to wait until you're well into 2nd level spells...
Most such replacements are better worded. For instance, subdomain abilities that replace 8th-level domain abilities all say "At 8th level..."
When something replaces something you get at a certain level, you get it when you would have gotten what it replaces. Hence 'replaces'.
Do you have a source for that statement? I have seen instances where they errataed something to make sure that you didn't get an archetype feature before you would have received the replaced class feature and others where they let such items go. There are definitely cases where you gain an archetype feature a level or more after you would have received the replaced class feature.
When something replaces something you get at a certain level, you get it when you would have gotten what it replaces. Hence 'replaces'.Do you have a source for that statement? I have seen instances where they errataed something to make sure that you didn't get an archetype feature before you would have received the replaced class feature and others where they let such items go. There are definitely cases (such as the subject of this thread) where you gain an archetype feature a level or more after you would have received the replaced class feature.
The point is, the wording makes it look like you get the new features at first level! "Buy now, pay later."
In general using an ability that emulates a spell effect takes as long as the spell to activate unless otherwise noted. Hexes might be an exception, but I doubt it.
Exactly -- and I was wanting to know how you can be sure that "buy now, pay later" is not the case. As I mentioned, there are certainly cases of "pay now, receive later" (such as for ranger archetypes that give up spellcasting).
If you just attack with the hair, does the secondary attack thing matter?
No. If it's your only natural attack and you don't make a weapon attack, the natural attack rules override the actual type and you treat it as a primary natural attack that adds 1.5xSTR on the damage roll.
Does a hedge witch gain the powers listed immediately
As written, yes. Possibly not intended, though.
If you split hex on a touch [hex], can the second target be affected at range (30 feet)?
As written, yes. Possibly not intended, though.
What does the * mean next to some of the hexes?
You mean on d20pfsrd.com? That there's an FAQ for that hex.
The Nightmares hex does not say it casts the spell. It states you call on fell powers. This fits with the default standard action.
Being hexed, however, gives you the effect of the spell, without casting it.
Hedge witch:
Archetypes have two kinds of class features. Those that list a level you gain them, and those that don't. Ones without a level defined are always there at all levels.
Since the hedge witch entries do not have a level listed, they are gained as part of the archetype and usable at first level.
Saying you don't get the effect until you pay the replacement price is at odds with some archetypes that give powers at levels different than the level of the item replaced. [Example: Cold Flesh.]
/cevah