When should WHM use Stoneskin I?

[416to305]

Hey everyone quick question. I see that Stoneskin II does all party members but the normal one is one person at a time. I just unlocked it at 34 but since I have to do it on one person at a time, and it doesn't last long, should I be casting it on the whole party before a boss or just the tank? A tank did a ready check and I said no, then cast it on everyone and then said yes but I don't think that's necessary as the next time I just cast it while the battle had started already as no one was taking damage. I always do protect at the start but not entirely clear on the best proper usage of Stoneskin when leveling up to 50 when I don't have Stoneskin II? Thanks!

[Seraphyel]

I just give it to everybody at the start of a dungeon and afterwards before bosses. Most likely I'll apply it to damage dealers out of combat. I don't see any use applying it to a tank all the time.

And remember, Stoneskin I can be cast on fighting targets, Stoneskin II can't.

[technole]

Stoneskin just the tank for trash pulls (especially those larger ones in SV/DD/AV). For final bosses I would just stoneskin everyone, negates some party damage just in-case tank doesn't get that aggro right away.

[416to305]

Perfect thanks that's what I thought.

[Ghishlain]

Just figured I'd throw out some food for thought for some advanced techniques when you hit 50. There are some attacks in the game that reduce the healing efficiency a target may receive. This debuff is generally known as Infirmity and most notable users of this are Twintania's Death Sentance in Turn 5 and the final boss of Stone Vigil HM (I'm sure you've had experience with both of them). Single tank Ramuh EX comes to mind too.

Note that since Stoneskin shielding is based on the targets maximum HP, it actually bypasses the healing debuff and thus may prove to be a better "heal" than your normal spells. In the same vein, HoTs like Regen and Medica II take a snapshot of your stats and the targets stats, so if you apply these on the target pre-Infirmity, they will continue to tick for maximum level. Likewise, if you reapply Regen near the end of a Divinel Seal CD, Regen will have the increased power until it expires/replaced.

[technole]

Just figured I'd throw out some food for thought for some advanced techniques when you hit 50. There are some attacks in the game that reduce the healing efficiency a target may receive. This debuff is generally known as Infirmity and most notable users of this are Twintania's Death Sentance in Turn 5 and the final boss of Stone Vigil HM (I'm sure you've had experience with both of them). Single tank Ramuh EX comes to mind too.

Also Levithan EX and Briny Mirror is another example where regen and stoneskin can help mitigate without adding stacks.

[Viviza]

I just unlocked it at 34

Right now you should use it sparingly. Stoneskin is a specialized tool, not a bread and butter heal. Before bosses and on tanks, mostly.

Much later on, you'll find yourself casting it more often as a way to deal with various boss mechanics, or to help people with weakness deal with big unavoidable hits.

[Risvertasashi]

Stoneskin just the tank for trash pulls (especially those larger ones in SV/DD/AV). For final bosses I would just stoneskin everyone, negates some party damage just in-case tank doesn't get that aggro right away.

I recommend stoneskinning everyone in the party. If a DPS pulls, eats an avoidable, or something else unplanned happens, this gives healers a bit more breathing room.

At level 50, swiftcast + stoneskin 2 makes this very easy to do as the group is running to the next pull.

[416to305]

Thanks everyone! I actually haven't done those dungeons as Bard yet. I've just unlocked the extreme mode primals and am on syrcus tower and have to do a few more hard mode dungeons, last one I did was Haukke Manor I think. Just been addicted to WHM and have totally put my Bard on hold lol. So far so good, keep getting 2-3 commendations on these 4 person dungeons so that's encouraging!

[technole]

I recommend stoneskinning everyone in the party. If a DPS pulls, eats an avoidable, or something else unplanned happens, this gives healers a bit more breathing room.

At level 50, swiftcast + stoneskin 2 makes this very easy to do as the group is running to the next pull.

Bosses yes, swift+stoneskin 2 when you can. Trash mob pulls no, I'd rather have swift for holy stun goodness. Tank can play their role and provoke off a stray on a dps/healer.