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It's mainly used for progression to squeeze out every last bit of mitigation for tank-busters. Or if you want to save a weakened DPS from a stomp/cleave. If you're not doing anything else and not MP-starved, why not? You should Stoneskin II + protect at the start of every instance on WHM because it's free... so again why not? If you're running AST/SCH or something don't bother - I normally just Protect and stoneskin the MT then call it a day.
For healers I have to say no it's not that useful, it has a long cast time it's more expensive than physick/cure and generally the mitigation is less than you'd get from a cure at 60. I'd say stoneskin is more just there as a pre-buff now before a pull where it's just that extra bit of mitigation and MP regens instantly anyway. Other than that it's purely there as a cross class for PLD where it is actually useful.
Healers that don't utilize all the pieces in their tool kit are just lazy. Yes stoneskin is useful.
While I don't feel its really effective anymore in Heavenward content, I do still use it all the time out of habit. I also use it as an indicator sometimes. If I notice the buff drop on the party list, its my que to pay attention because someone else has agro with damage incoming. So while I'm stance dancing in and out of clerics if I see the buff drop I stay alert for heals. And yes, I'm in the habit of swiftcast/ss2 after each pull. :3
I'm using it only for raid at the start or for big aoe where I am spamming holy. I prefer precast an another spell than using SS. Even for tankburster like in a1s.
2.x yes, weeeee 18% hp shield
3.x meh, boo scrub shield not worth casting like we used to. Use when needed tho
Its more of a thing to use when everyone is topped off, boss is invincible, other shields r up etc.
I find it pretty useful especially on myself. It's helped save me a few times when a mob targets me and the tank needs a moment to get the agro back. It also helps me needing to heal myself as much after a hit so I can return focus on the tank/everyone else.
It's a tool the game gives you so yeah, I think you'd be nuts not to use it.
It's mostly just an extra mitigation for the party if they take a hit. On Tanks before a pull it helps give them a couple of seconds to pull everything before you need to heal them.
To me Stoneskin has 3 functions:
1) Stoneskin is a prepull GCD saver. That's one more attack in Cleric Stance and one less heal to waste MP on. (The MP it cost outside of battle makes it "free")
2) It's a downtime skill that you can cast on party members who are likely to get hit if you're comfortable with your MP. (MOOOVE BLM! "NOOO I'LL BREAK ENOCHIAN" OK FINE STONESKIN D:)
3) It's a little extra padding to a party member with weakness.
Its not useful anymore.