[thejeff]

2 points.
First Basalt Kings are perfectly useful with minimal Const 4 gear & Summon Earthpower. No bless needed.

Second, I think what might be being missed in this discussion is that these overlooked tactics and spells aren't main research goals and strategies. You don't plan to get Numbness and Friendly Currents to conquer the world. Standard tactics aren't standard because they're best in every situation, but because they work pretty well in most situations.
These are more for situations where you don't have your big guns available or they aren't appropriate and you need to come up with something else you can put together fast. Like a lot of cheap troops, a Wavebreaker and a couple of cheap mages or Ice Pebble staves spamming Numbness.