Is this the BEST they could come up with?

[hrdndv]

I totally agree that stoneskin is almost worthless because it only lasts one hit, usually. It should last five minutes like it promises. I also agree that casting Protect every 5 min is annoying as most battles that use Protect last twenty. But overall, FFXIV is better than XI because you can pay more attention to what's happening and don't get so caught up in deciding which spell to cast next. I never saw a battle in FFXI... only saw the spells I was choosing. I played Red Mage and Blue Mage and loved them... but FFXIV is unique, different, and I like what SE has done. I also see SE changing some things as we go along and although some changes are annoying, most changes are alright after I get used to them. I have a motto for this: If Final Fantasy is not annoying, it isn't Final fantasy! lol

[Starlord]

I totally agree that stoneskin is almost worthless because it only lasts one hit, usually. It should last five minutes like it promises. I also agree that casting Protect every 5 min is annoying as most battles that use Protect last twenty. But overall, FFXIV is better than XI because you can pay more attention to what's happening and don't get so caught up in deciding which spell to cast next. I never saw a battle in FFXI... only saw the spells I was choosing. I played Red Mage and Blue Mage and loved them... but FFXIV is unique, different, and I like what SE has done. I also see SE changing some things as we go along and although some changes are annoying, most changes are alright after I get used to them. I have a motto for this: If Final Fantasy is not annoying, it isn't Final fantasy! lol

Stoneskin itself isn't ment to last 5 min.. Stoneskin is ment for if you get hit.. you get hit for 0 damage ( unless monster hits you more than the allotted damage it can endure, then and only then it hits you for more than 0 damage.) Once you use up the Damage reduction you receive from Stoneskin, the Effect automatically goes away.. if Stoneskin lasted for 5 min... No body would need to cure at all.....