No lloru you're wrong on that one... it's +40 VS slashing, crushing, piercing... not +40 TO slashing, crushing, and piercing... if it was + 40 TO slashing then your skill in slashing would go up 40.. but since it's +40 VERSUS Slashing that means it reduces slashing damage done to you (Not by 40, but by a percent based on your level:mitigation)