What are the differences between the Echo and having Hydaelyn's Blessing? [Spoilers?]

[Clawtooth]

So this mistake has come about due to people assuming that th two things are synonymous, whereas they are actually two different powers that the WoL has access to.

The Echo: The Echo is a psychic power that many people in Eorzea posess. Members of the 1.0 organization "The Path of the Twelve" had this ability, and they made up the bulk of the Scions in 2.0. This power does a few things. Firstly, it allows for the "transcendence of the soul" - the ability to enter the minds and past of individuals and see into their memories or see visions of the past. Secondly, it allows panlingualism - the ability to understand the raw concepts and meaning behind language as Ferne pointed out the other day. Thirdly, it provides the soul armour against external interference, meaning that one cannot be tempered when one has the Echo - this is precisely WHY Minfilia sends you and other path walkers to investigate the primal summonings - the members of the Circle of Knowing on the other hand (Thancred, Yda, Papalymo, Y'shtola, Urianger, Moenbryda, Alphinaud, Alisae???) do not posses the Echo, and are thus vulnerable to the effects of tempering. They make up for this by being badasses.

Hydaelyn's Blessing: The first time she pulls you into her crystal realm Hydaelyn gives you a task: "The power to banish the darkness dwelleth in the crystals of Light, go forth Adventurer and claim them" (probably paraphrased). Throughout the 2.0 main story, the adventurer accumulates several crystals from various places. Fire, Earth, and Wind are gained by beating Ifrit, Titan, and Garuda respectively. Water is gained first, very early in the story after beating an ascian's summoned creature. Lightning is gained from the Sylph elder after you rescue them from Toto-rak. Ice is gained from beating Isgebind in Stone Vigil. Once all six are collected, the adventurer can be said to have Hydaelyn's blessing - also called the blessing of Light. This Blessing is far less understood than the Echo because the Adventurer (the WoL, us) is the only person with access to it. This blessing fulfills an important role in the 2.0 story's climax - it allows us to strip Lahabrea out of Thancred and also it protects us from Ultima's blast. In addition I seem to remember it "pulls" the Primals out of Ultima in order for us to strip Ultima of its powers. This power has seen limited use since 2.0's conclusion because our connection to the Mothercrystal has been tenuous at best. The adventurer "activates it" as a shield against Middy at the top of Keeper, to which he responds that we're important somehow. He then seems to ask Hydaelyn if it's okay to borrow her blessing to gain a new body for the time being as Mini Middy. In doing this however, he strips us of a defense against Ascians that we thought was vital. However, it is likely that we no longer need it to confront them as we managed to kill Nabriales without it.

That's the in story reason behind the revoking of the blessing. Narratively speaking, I think that us losing the blessing and gaining Middy is more of a thematic representation of us gaining a new spiritual guide - Midgardsormr, since Hydaelyn seems very weak and she does not hav e the strength to guide us any more. What this means for the Echo is another story entirely and that seems to be Minfilia's dilema at the moment.

[treuhavik]

The Echo: Thirdly, it provides the soul armour against external interference, meaning that one cannot be tempered when one has the Echo

This should fall under the Blessing of Light. Basically, a "Blessed" is to Hydaelyn as a "Tempered" is to Ifrit - We gain protection and power in exchange for carrying out her will. Once someone is claimed by a primal (Hyd, Zodiark and possibly the Twelve included), they cannot be influenced by another.

Now, it's uncertain whether or not the echo was also provided by Hydaelyn, but it seems to me that it is rather an inherent ability, likely genetic.

But, yes, they are separate and Midgardsormr removed our "Blessing".

[Delily]

This should fall under the Blessing of Light. Basically, a "Blessed" is to Hydaelyn as a "Tempered" is to Ifrit - We gain protection and power in exchange for carrying out her will. Once someone is claimed by a primal (Hyd, Zodiark and possibly the Twelve included), they cannot be influenced by another.

Now, it's uncertain whether or not the echo was also provided by Hydaelyn, but it seems to me that it is rather an inherent ability, likely genetic.

But, yes, they are separate and Midgardsormr removed our "Blessing".

No, the resistance to tempering is a benefit of the Echo, Minfilia says as much when you meet her. In fact, the resistance is what allowed us to collect the crytals and gain the blessing in the first place. The Blessing seems directly related to weakening the Ultima weapon and blocking the Ascians.

[treuhavik]

No, the resistance to tempering is a benefit of the Echo, Minfilia says as much when you meet her. In fact, the resistance is what allowed us to collect the crytals and gain the blessing in the first place. The Blessing seems directly related to weakening the Ultima weapon and blocking the Ascians.

I must've missed that... Then perhaps the Echo is a gift from Hydaelyn after all, since we see Minfillia and Lady Iceheart both use it to communicate with her. If this is the case, it's likely that the Echo is Hydaelyns "tempering" instead.