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

[Frederick22]

Based on what we've seen in-game, we aren't protected by the Blessing of Light from anything other than what's considered Dark, but it does boost our strength. To give a concrete example, the Blessing of Light in 3.0 is only mentioned the two times that Ascians attack us. The crystals, on the other hand, are regained only because we are still exercising our strength.

Im pretty much sure the strenght is ours. Middy confirms that at the end of 3.0 or at least thats what I think I have seen.