But your character HAS used an Aetheric lightsword, on numerous occasions actually. We used one to destroy the Ascian Igeyorhm this very patch. I'm curious as to why THAT doesn't bother you, but the idea of our character using one against the Derplander would? If you're actually enjoying the story, and paying attention, why would your character acting in a way completely align within their arsenal of abilities bother you?
And Hydaelyn grants us succor, or power whenever she deems we need it. Hence why you don't randomly get a Hydaelyn shield in Coils or Alex like you did when the Ultimate Weapon used Ultima on us. Your jobs abilities aren't the only ones your character has, and one of the largest reasons our character has grown so strong isn't due to our jobs abilities but the power of light bestowed upon us. As you saw when we first encountered Igeyorhm without the power of light, she easily dealt with us, and was only UNABLE to kill us because we had regained some of the blessing back.
And also previously with Nabriales, our character didn't even posses enough power to destroy him without Moenbryda's sacrifice. As the story progressed we gained an even stronger version of the Blessing of Light, and grew even more powerful than Thordan; An ideology supplemented with generations of worship and fervent prayer. The echo is a very strong device, and has been acknowledge as our strongest weapon of choice.
How can you honestly sit there and say that your character wouldn't use the echo, when he has used in so many times in the past. Either you're not paying attention to the story, and are skipping cutscenes. (To which, I don't know why you're even commenting if you do.) or B. Have a very short attention span.