[Sandman]

Does air shield work against bolt and dart spells?

I don't see a problem in comparing the lesser air bless with the greater astral bless, they've got similar effects, and with the Oracle, astral-9 is very cheap. In any case, ranged weapons can be dealt with in other ways; troop placement, counterfire, protection, regeneration, etc.

Another nice 'quirk' of the air bless: take air-9 for 70% missile protection, and watch as your sacred air mages waste a turn casting air shield.