healing signet question

I have a question about healing signet. The penalty is -40 armour while using the skill. What is considered "using the skill"?? While you're casting?? Also, are there any better healing options for a w/ra?? Finally is there anywhere where your total armour rating is displayed??

Thanks
-pfoh

Yup the whole time you are casting (that signet) you have -40 armour.

If you have points in Wilderness Survival (remember that Apply Poison works on melee weapons too), then Troll Ungent is a good, cheap healing skill. But remember that the -40 armour isn't such a penalty if you use a block/evasion stance while casting.

Yup, when you're "casting" the signet is when you have -40 armor.

Troll Ungent?

No, but you could add it in your head..

so ure only at -40 armor for the 2 seconds while you're casting??

Yes. Not -40 while its on your skill bar.



^^

There is no such thing as "total armour rating" per se. Each piece's armour rating is treated independently when calculating damage. Every time you use a melee attack or shoot a projectile, the game "rolls" to see which piece of armour you will hit. It might hit you on the chest (37.5% chance, if I'm not mistaken) and if you have an 80AL chestpiece, that AL is used to calculate damage, no matter what else you're wearing. If it hits you on the legs, and you have no armour there, it will treat it as such and you will recieve more damage.
Many spells automatically hit parts of the body, and certain armour bonuses (the "reduces damage" on Knights Boots and absorption runes, for example) are applied globally-meaning they affect every hit, no matter where it lands.

Of course, if you wanted to calculate your AL while buffed with skills (armour of earth, dolyak signet, etc., which are applied globally) you'll just ahve to do quick math in your head.

If you want more info, just search for it. The holy book of armour mechanics is on this site somewhere.

Yup! And if you want to be sure, just pop outside and let something beat on you. Whilst being pounded on, use Healing Sig. You should see an increase in damage while you're using the sig.

The -40 is nothing to worry about if you use block/evasion/armor buffs.