A guide to buffing

[Chazar]

• Ironskin: is the +3 bonus really worth casting for creatures already having more than 20 protection in total? Does it matter how this 20 points of protection are achieved (i.e. can the spell raise protection by more than 3 points despite already having a end-total of 20 due to other buffs, items, etc.)?
• Mixed-mode-buffs:What about mixed path buffs? E.g.: I just discovered that my pretender could cast StrengthOfGaia (Conj4) and wonder whether it is a useful spell I did not notice before (I fear that its protection component will destroy my pretenders fire immunity)?
• Area Buffs for Solos:Is it sensible to script area buffs like Strength of Giants for Solo-Fighters or is there always a better non-area spell at hand?

Sorry if some of this questions are stupid, but they just came to my mind without much thought when thinking about buffs...