This guide was created to help out all those frustrated DMs that have problems with the 4th level spell "Stoneskin" as it is given, and have resorted to tampering with the spell to lessen the effectivity of it, or else have resorted to making the material component so expensive that mages will not cast it because they are lacking in funds.

I don't believe that the solution to handling this spell is through any of these means - they all smack of stop-gap measures rather than authorative methods of handling the wayward spell. Interestingly enough, I have never had problems with the spell, and probably never will. But some of the interesting limitations of this spell are not immediately obvious, and to help out people around the world, I've created this guide.

The previous guide was "The Pen-Ultimate Guide Around The Stoneskin Spell", but this guide is The Ultimate (etc.), since it includes the spells found in the following books:

• Player's Handbook
• Tome of Magic
• Dragon Kings
• The Seven Sisters

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Part 1: The spell itself

First and foremost, let's take a look at the spell such as it appears in a copy (namely, one of mine two) of the Player's Handbook. P. 163 reads:

Stoneskin (Alteration)
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: 1 creature
Saving Throw: None

When this spell is cast, the affected creature gains a virtual immunity to
any attack by cut, blow, projectile, or the like. Even a Sword of Sharpness
cannot affect a creature protected by Stoneskin, nor can a rock hurled by
a giant, a snake's strike, etc. However, magical attacks from such spells as
fireball, Magic Missile, Lightning Bolt, and so forth have their normal
effects. The spell blocks 1d4 attacks, plus one attack per two levels of
experience the caster has achieved. This limit applies regardless of attack
rolls and regardless of whether the attack was physical or magical. For
example, a Stoneskin spell cast by a 9th-level wizard would protect against
from five to eight attacks. An attacking griffon would reduce the protection
by three each round; four magic missiles would count as four attacks in
addition to inflicting their normal damage.

The material components of the spell are granite and diamond dust sprinkled
on the recipient's skin.

All well and good so far. Let me then point out a few things that are rather crucial to understanding the limitations of this spell.

• It does not block spells of any form or type at all.
• It does nothing else than protect the target creature from physical harm. This means that stacked Stoneskins will all be depleted at the same rate - they don't protect each other.
• Regardless of attack rolls, the Stoneskin spell will be depleted by a (given) number of attacks. I would probably disallow this effect if the attacker rolled a "1" if I used critical success/critical failure rules, but that is beside the point.
• The spell protects against damage by physical agent - it doesn't protect against damage stemming from for instance suffocation and so forth.
• The spell does not have any visual components - the skin seems quite natural and so on (I am merely stating this because some seem to believe so).

Part 2: Magical circumvention of the spell.

Any spell that have many actual "agents" of damage will be very useful in depleting the Stoneskin spell. In this respect, a 3-arrow Magic Missile will be more effective than a 10HD Fireball, because the three arrows of the Magic Missile will count as three attacks against the Stoneskin. Also, even though physical weapons will not harm the wearer of the Stoneskin spell (even though special abilities, like Sword of Nine Lives Stealing and suchlike, i.e. abilities that need touch, not an actual wound to work would probably work, as would contact poison and so on), weapons conjured by a spell would work, like the Al-Qadim spell Sand Jambiya, and more common spells like Mordekainen's Sword and Flame Blade. The Stoneskin will not protect against damage from these spells, and will also be depleted by them.

Also, any spells that immobilize the target will be very useful in general, (and thus are not on the list) since they will force the target to stay put, not being able to defend itself - which would let attackers deplete the Stoneskin at their leisure.

Here's a list of spells that are particularly useful against the Stoneskin spell, because they have multiple actual agents of damage.

Wizard spells:

1st level:

Blackthorns (SeS)        The hedge is a created object.
Fire Burst (ToM)         It can be argued that each point of damage consists
                         of one flame, and therefore up to 10 levels of the
                         Stoneskin may be removed by this spell.
Fist of Stone (ToM)      Since the fist of stone is a direct result of the
                         spell cast, it would not be hindered by the
                         Stoneskin spell.
Flamespin (SeS)          The pinwheel is a created object.
Gauntlet (SeS)           The gauntlet is a created object.
Laeral's Dancing Whip (SeS)  The dancing whip is a created object.
Magic Missile (PHB)      This spell will create multiple arrows at high level

Flaming Sphere (PHB)     This spell has a duration, and can therefore be used
                         multiple rounds, reducing the Stoneskin.
Melf's Acid Arrow (PHB)  This spell will inflict damage on multiple rounds,
                         and will therefore reduce the Stoneskin.
Summon Swarm (PHB)       This spell has a duration, and will therefore reduce
                         the Stoneskin on multiple rounds.

Acid Lash (SeS)          The lashes are created objects.
Dispel Magic (PHB)       In general, this is one of the most flexible spells
                         ever created, and specifically it will give the
                         caster a chance to outright destroy the Stoneskin.
Flame Arrow (PHB)        This spell is able to create multiple arrows, and
                         will therefore count as multiple attacks.
Laeral's Raging Griffon (SeS)  The griffon is a magical force.
Manyjaws (SeS)           The jaws are magically created.
Melf's Minute Meteors (PHB)  This spell will create multiple balls of energy.
Monster Summoning I (PHB)    It can be argued that the creatures summoned by
                         this spell is a product of the spell itself, and
                         thus these creatures will harm the Stoneskinned
                         target as per normal conditions. However, I find
                         that a bit cheesy.
Steeldance (SeS)         The swords are created.
Watery Double (ToM)      As the double is created by this spell, the double
                         would not be hindered by the Stoneskin spell.

Evard's Black Tentacles (PHB)  This spell is excellent as a counter-measure.
Ice Storm (PHB)          This spell in its hailstorm form will probably
                         completely dispel the Stoneskin, as each hailstone
                         is technically a separate attack. The DM may decide
                         how many hp damage a hailstone would construe - a
                         good bet may be 1-3 per hailstone (it is best to
                         decide upon a given number, and merely divide the
                         damage dealt to find how many hailstones hit the
                         target). I usually use 2 hp in my campaigns.
Iron Maiden (SeS)        The helmed horror is created by the spell.
Minor Creation (PHB)     This spell will create an object, and if this object
                         is a weapon, it will work normally against the
                         Stoneskin, since it is a product of the Minor
                         Creation spell - the Stoneskin will not work at all.
Monster Summoning II (PHB)  Much the same argument as MS I.
Phantasmal Killer (PHB)  As the spell creates a wholly fictional "beast" that
                         attack the caster, this spell will circumvent the
                         Stoneskin completely in that it isn't any physical
                         component of this spell - it's all in the target's
                         head, so to speak.
Shadow Monsters (PHB)    As these creatures are semi-real, but are a product
                         of the spell, they will deplete the Stoneskin, but
                         the Stoneskin will not protect against the damage.
Whisper Blade (SeS)      The sword is a magical creation.

Cloudkill (PHB)          The cloud will persist for several rounds, and is
                         therefore very effective, as it will be considered
                         an "attack" each round the target is within it.
Conjure Elemental (PHB)  As the elemental conjured is a product of the spell,
                         it can be argued that the Stoneskin spell doesn't
                         protect against these Elementals. See M.S. I.
Demi-Shadow Monsters (PHB)  Same reason as Shadow Monsters.
Major Creation (PHB)     See Minor Creation.
Monster Summoning III (PHB)  See M.S. I.
Mordekainen's Faithful Hound (PHB)  As the dog is able to attack, and it is
                         a product of the spell, this spell is effective.
Phantom Blade (SeS)      See Whisper Blade.
Shadow Magic (PHB)       As this can simulate any other spell of 3rd level or
                         less, it may be useful for a wizard that just didn't
                         memorize Flame Arrows that day, or doesn't know it.
Summon Shadow (PHB)      See M.S. I. However, one may rule that the Strength-
                         draining effect occurs whatever one rules on what
                         effect its conjured state has, since the Strength-
                         drain doesn't need to puncture the skin to be
                         effective.

Anti-Magic Shell (PHB)   The Stoneskin spell would cease functioning in it.
Chain Lightning (PHB)    As this spell is capable of leaping from one target
                         to another, it is quite possible that it would
                         inflict multiple attacks on one target.
Claws of the Umber Hulk (ToM)  See Fist of Stone.
Conjure Animals (PHB)    See M.S. I.
Death Fog (PHB)          Same reason as why Cloudkill would be effective.
Death Spell (PHB)        This spell circumvents the Stoneskin entirely.
Demi-Shadow Magic (PHB)  See Shadow Magic.
Disintegrate (PHB)       See Death Spell.
Double Steel (SeS)       The magical double will not be affected by
                         Stoneskin, since it is a product of magic.
Fire Eyes (SeS)          The rays certainly count as attacks.
Forest's Fiery Constrictor (ToM)  See Shades.
Gauntlet of Teeth (SeS)  See Blade Barrier.
Monster Summoning IV (PHB)  See M.S. I.
Shades (PHB)             As the shades perform as real monsters, they will
                         not be stopped by the Stoneskin spell, and will
                         also deplete the Stoneskin.
The Howling Chain (SeS)  See blade Barrier.

Acid Storm (ToM)         As the Acid Storm consists "of ... droplets", it
                         is arguably so that each hp of damage consists of
                         one droplet, and therefore the spell would reduce
                         the Stoneskin correspondingly. Also, the damage
                         would not be hindered by the Stoneskin, as the
                         acid was magically conjured.
Alustriel's Sword of Stars (SeS)  See Mordekainen's Sword.
Conjure Greater Elemental (DrK)  See Conjure Elemental.
Delayed Blast Fireball (PHB)  There are few situations where this baby is
                         useless...
Finger of Death (PHB)    See Death Spell.
Limited Wish (PHB)       "I wish the Stoneskin on that man was dispelled."
Malec-Keth's Flame Fist  (ToM)  The flame is magical, and thus Stoneskin
                         would not protect the target at all.
Monster Summoning V (PHB)  See M.S. I.
Mordekainen's Sword      As the sword is a direct product of the spell, the
                         sword would not be stopped by the Stoneskin, and
                         would even deplete the Stoneskin normally.
Ongeldyn's Fist (SeS)    See any Bigby spell on this list.
Prismatic Spray (PHB)    Each ray that actually inflicted damage would
                         probably be considered an attack.
Suffocate (ToM)          This spell circumvents the Stoneskin completely.

Abu-Dhalzim's Horrid Wilting (ToM)  See Suffocate.
Bigby's Clenched Fist (PHB)  As this spell is capable of attacking multiple
                         rounds, it would be most effective against the
                         Stoneskin.
Incendiary Cloud (PHB)   When it starts to burn, the cloud would probably be
                         considered attacks for the purpose of depleting the
                         Stoneskin.
Laeral's Invisible Blade (SeS)  See Mordekainen's Sword.
Lightning Ring (SeS)     The ring can project multiple lightning bolts.
Monster Summoning VI (PHB)  See M.S. I.
Net of Stars (SeS)       See Flaming Sphere.
Rising Colossus (SeS)    Keyword is "creates".
Serten's Spell Immunity (PHB)  "You are immune to ... Stoneskin!"

Bigby's Crushing Hand (PHB)  I bet that this spell would be useful ...
Juggernaut (SeS)         Keyword is "creates".
Maw of Chaos (SeS)       Keyword is "calls into being".
Meteor Swarm (PHB)       There's no such thing as too much firepower.
Monster Summoning VII (PHB)  See M.S. I.
Spellstorm (SeS)         Though the Stoneskin spell would protect against
                         the weapons, the spell executes many attacks.
Wildfire (ToM)           Weapons created would not be hindered by
                         Stoneskin. Wildfire could also be used to simulate
                         any other spell, for instance Acid Storm.
Wildwind (ToM)           The damage sustained would probably count as
                         attacks, similarly to Flame Arrow.
Wish (PHB)               I wish that you and all your henchmen will forever
                         more be immune to the Stoneskin spell... Bet that
                         that is a curse designed to impress and hurt.

1st level:

Magical Stone (PHB)      Interestingly enough, this spell would not be of
                         much use against the Stoneskin spell except as
                         normal attacks, as it enchants some stones.
                         Therefore the _agent_ of the attack wasn't created
                         by the spell, and therefore the Stoneskin spell
                         would protect against it. However, they _do_ count
                         as three attacks, as attack rolls are unnecessary.
Shillelagh (PHB)         Same reasoning as Magical Stone.

Dust Devil (PHB)         Much the same logic as that applied to the Conjure
                         Elemental spell in the Wizards' section.
Flame Blade (PHB)        As the blade is created by the spell, Stoneskin
                         is useless against it.
Heat Metal (PHB)         This would probably count as multiple attacks, and
                         would inflict damage as well.
Produce Flame (PHB)      This spell can give multiple flames to throw, and is
                         therefore useful against the Stoneskin spell.
Spiritual Hammer (PHB)   Just as with the Produce Flame spell, this spell's
                         damaging agent is wholly conjured by the spell
                         itself, and therefore is effective against the
                         Stoneskin spell.
Wyvern Watch (PHB)       The strike would count as an attack if it hit.

Caltrops (ToM)           The caltrops are magically created.
Conjure Lesser Elemental (DrK)  See Conjure Elemental.
Dispel Magic (PHB)       Same logic as for the wizard version.
Summon Insects (PHB)     The Stoneskin would quickly succumb to this massed
                         attack. Technically, each insect is one attack, but
                         a suggestion would be to let each hp damage be the
                         equivalent of 1-2 attacks (DM discretion).

Animal Summoning I (PHB)  See M.S. I.
Produce Fire (PHB)       If the Stoneskinned target caught fire, the burning
                         fire would probably count as multiple attacks.
Spell Immunity (PHB)     "You are immune to ... Stoneskin!"
Sticks to Snakes (PHB)   The snakes would quickly deplete the Stoneskin,
                         though the Stoneskin would protect against them, as
                         the sticks are only "changed into" snakes.

Animal Summoning II (PHB)  See M.S. I.
Insect Plague (PHB)      The insects would quickly overcome the Stoneskin.
                         See the spell Summon Insects.

Aerial Servant (PHB)     See M.S. I.
Animal Summoning III (PHB)  See M.S. I.
Blade Barrier (PHB)      This spell consists of "circling, razor-sharp
                         blades". Therefore it is reasonable that they be
                         considered multiple attacks for depleting the
                         Stoneskin. As they are created magically, the
                         Stoneskin won't protect the target.
Conjure Animals (PHB)    See M.S. I.
Conjure Fire Elemental (PHB)  See Conjure Elemental (Wizard spell)
Fire Seeds (PHB)         The use of the word "creates", indicates that this
                         spell ought to be effective against the
                         Stoneskin spell.
Wall of Thorn (PHB)      As the wall is created, it would be effective
                         against the Stoneskin spell.

Chariot of Sustarre (PHB)  It is created from a spell, and will therefore
                         be effective against the Stoneskin spell.
Conjure Earth Elemental (PHB)  See Conjure Elemental (Wizard spell)
Conjure Greater Elemental (DrK)  See Conjure Elemental.
Creeping Doom (PHB)      This spell would make short work of Stoneskin.
Silt Cyclone (DrK)       See the spell Ice Storm.
Tentacle Walls (ToM)     See Evard's Black Tentacles.

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Part 3: Non-Magical Neutralization of the Stoneskin spell.

• The Stoneskin spell only protects against physical damage. Thus, the following tactics are useful, perhaps especially for kobolds and other creatures that appear in overwhelming numbers:
  - Overbearing attacks will still work for immobilizing the protected character.
  - A character for instance bound on hands and feet and then thrown into a lake would still drown.
  - A character forced to swallow molten lead would be protected for a while - the lead counts as 1 attack every round - and then start to take damage.
  - The actual attack rolls are not important. Thus, 5 kobolds with shortbows would reduce the Stoneskin with 10 attacks every round, or if they were armed with darts: 15 attacks every round.
  
• The Stoneskin spell does protect against all effects that needs to puncture the skin of the target. Thus, contact poison would probably still be effective.
• The Stoneskin spell does protect against acids - for a while.
• A handful of stones are technically a great number of attacks, but may be considered for instance only 3 attacks.
• A character falling down a slope is protected by the Stoneskin, but each abrasion and bump is technically one attack. I usually rule that when the character lands, he is unharmed, but the Stoneskin spell is dispelled.

I hope this has been instructive and helpful (yeah right). Read it and weep, Stoneskinners ;)