Editing Stone Skin

{{Earth spells}}{{Spell|32|32|63|53|31|54|30|53|31|31|31|53
 | school      = Earth Magic
 | level       = 1st
 | cost        = 5/4
 | duration    = 1 rnd/sp
 | b_effect    = Increases the selected friendly unit's defense strength by 3.
 | a_effect    = Increases the selected friendly unit's defense strength by '''6'''.
 | e_effect    = Increases the defense strength of '''all''' friendly units by 6.
}} It increases the target allied troop's [[primary skill#Defense skill|defense]].

'''Heroes starting with Stone Skin:'''
* {{Hn|Rion|Cleric}}
* {{Hn|Halon|Wizard}}
* {{Hn|Zydar|Heretic}}
* {{Hn|Vokial|Death Knight}}
* {{Hn|Xsi|Necromancer}}
* {{Hn|Darkstorn|Warlock}}
* {{Hn|Dessa|Battle Mage}}
* {{Hn|Merist|Witch}}
* {{Hn|Tiva|Witch}}
* {{Hn|Labetha|Elementalist}}{{-wa}}
'''Heroes specialising in Stone Skin:'''
* {{Hn|Xsi|Necromancer}}
* {{Hn|Darkstorn|Warlock}}
* {{Hn|Merist|Witch}}
* {{Hn|Labetha|Elementalist}}{{-wa}}
'''Creatures immune to Stone Skin:'''
{{immune|spell123=1|spell1234=1|spell12345=1}}
'''Creatures capable of casting Stone Skin:'''
* {{Cn|Master Genie}}s (Advanced level)
* {{Cn|Enchanter}}s (Expert level)

{{user commentary|
Stone Skin is often compared to [[Shield]], which has similar effects. They both reduce the amount of [[damage]] creature stacks receive. The main difference between these two spells is that Stone Skin also works against ranged creatures while Shield only reduces hand-to-hand damage. A rule of thumb whether to use Shield or Stone Skin in hand-to-hand combat is that if an enemy's attack skill is greater than your defense skill, use Stone Skin. Of course, with both spells active, your troops will receive considerably less damage.

Advanced/Expert Stone Skin is only strictly better than equal-skill Shield if the difference between your unit's defense and the opponent's attack is exactly 21 or 22.  <!-- At 20 difference, defense reduces the damage by 50%.  So 6 extra points of defense bring the damage to 35% of base, and so does Shield: 50%*(100%-30%)=35%.  At 21 or 22 difference, the unit takes 47.5% or 45% of base damage, and Shield is even less effective; however, the effect of defense is capped at 28 difference, so at 23 or more, +6 defense becomes less effective due to the cap. -->  That means Shield is almost always preferable, unless you expect ranged attacks.
}}{{end of user commentary}}

== Discussion ==
Stone skin is often compared to [[shield]], which has similar effects. They both reduce the amount of [[damage]] creature stacks receives. The main difference between these two spells are, that stone skin also works against ranged creatures while shield only reduces hand-to-hand damage. A rule of thumb whether to use shield or stone skin in hand-to-hand combat is, that if enemy's attack skill is greater than your defense skill, use stone skin. Of course, with both spells active, your troops will receive considerably less damage.
If your unit has 20 more armor than the enemy units attack then stone skin is better otherwise shield is always better.

[[Category: Spells]]