Mage armour and shadow shield both have no effect due to items already equipped. I keep the rest up, but the trouble is with so few hit points, one good swipe from a sneak attack or critical is all it takes, even through a stoneskin. The fact that they take 40 or 50 points of damage is moot when you're on your back
But i've taken the scroll advice and doing much better with some decent summons to take the heat off.
Thanks for all your help