Why is stoneskin so... well, ugly?

[Wasselin]

I don't like Stoneskin at all because it's a chore to cast it all the time. I don't know why so many parties, even in duty finder when doing non-difficult content, won't move until you stoneskin the whole party. It's really only effective on tanks.

Anyway, I might like casting it more if it actually looked pretty. Can't we do better than blocky textures spinning around a character? Maybe the target's skin could become rocky or crystalline for a second after casting it. Or just better textured rocks could swirl around the character.

[Ignnis]

Really? Everyone charges ahead before I can even use protect ._.

It absorbs damage in relation to your hp, it's good in dungeons incase you or the dps pull and get smacked a few times. Less stress on you for healing situations like that. I always keep it on people.

[Miggiwoo]

Sorry but I totally disagree with your assessment of the usefulness of stoneskin, it's an extremely powerful spell for your ability to precast it and it can give you a buffer against aggro mismanagement or nasty AOE's.
Regarding it's appearance, it's up for 1/2 a second so I don't really care - I'd rather a texture added to regen or POM.

[Seoulstar]

It's called stoneskin..what is it supposed to look like?

[Alistaire]

Really? Everyone charges ahead before I can even use protect ._.

It absorbs damage in relation to your hp, it's good in dungeons incase you or the dps pull and get smacked a few times. Less stress on you for healing situations like that. I always keep it on people.

It's not just that; it's the fact it lasts more than 30 seconds. When you can cast something before a fight that will still be effective if the first hit they take is several minutes after the fact, that's a good spell.

That being said it's not going to make the difference in some fights, people don't normally wipe to things like Titan because the healers ran out of mp or couldn't keep up with curing unavoidable damage.

Edit: What would be nice is if it was AOE if you were not in combat.

[Nicobo]

...I don't know why so many parties, even in duty finder when doing non-difficult content, won't move until you stoneskin the whole party...

I think it was bcoz... they use to cast it by macro.. maybe just autocast 8times after casting protect. ^^;

[Nicobo]

...Maybe the target's skin could become rocky or crystalline for a second after casting it. Or just better textured rocks could swirl around the character.

I am quite sure PS3 cannot reflect above effect ^^;

[subteraneanbird]

snip

Because Stoneskin, esp from a WHM, is incredibly useful? It lets you ignore mechanics entirely in some instances (ADS type AA stacks, and Ifrit EX supparation stacks will fail to apply if the damage is entirely absorbed by Stoneskin) and even if not the fact that the healer can them proceed to not need to heal anybody for a length of time allows them to dps, speeding things up and generally making them easier. Stoneskin is wonderful. It also doesn't need to be incredibly involved aesthetically. Even discounting the PS3, MMOs need to shoot for effects that are accessible to as many people as possible (because MMOs make more money when more people can play, shocker). It is more important for any effect to look unique than flashy, and Stoneskin achieves that. It doesn't need tinkering.

[Yoninxi]

I don't bother with SS unless it's on a tank. 9/10 everyone in the DF is gonna take un needed damage that I will have to heal throughout the fight constantly. Why waste time casting it on everyone. Saving 1 Medica isn't saving me any headaches while I'm healing.

[Momo27]

I honestly feel its the opposite effect in terms of casting for me. I prefer it being on everyone BUT the tank. the tank will lose it within 5 seconds. But having it on your group can mitigate damage or even prevent one shot, if they're super duper squishy...lol but I like using it as a personal heads up. once stoneskin is gone, just to be more aware of everyone's hp bars. So if im solo healing I can shift from single healing the tank to keeping everyone's hp up.

I would like it to be an AoE Cast though, would make it less of a chore to cast