So... About Protect...

[Mishakai]

I'll keep it right to the point; Why can't I cast protect on non-party members?

[LunarEmerald]

You can cast stoneskin on non party members though. Makes no sense that you can't do protect.

[mmcsky]

I'll keep it right to the point; Why can't I cast protect on non-party members?

You are not happy with being praised and adored when you save people from dying now you want them to outright put you in a shrine after you buff them!?

Preposterous, how dare you be so useful!

[Foxen]

I've thought about this too. Because protect automatically buffs the whole party, my guess is that it's just their way of avoiding any clutter from having a designated single-target protect (such as the protect/protectra I/II/III/IV of FFXI). Though, I'm sure it would just be a minor tweak to make it act as a single-target when cast on someone outside the party - but I digress.

[Alhanelem]

You can't cast protect on pets, but you can cast stoneskin. I guess pets aren't considered party members for this purpose.