[Rytek]

In general, no, not a good idea to empower thugs. Thugs are meant to die for your cause. don't invest too much in to them or you will be afraid to use them.

There are circumstances when an empowerment in blood is a good idea:

For instance, MA Jotun can buy a level 2 priest for 200g. The Jotun Gode. If Jotun was fighting MA Ermor who had huge hoardes of undead a Jotun Gode empowered in blood could join a Sabbath, wear a crystal shield and do some level 5 banishment smackdown with just 4 sabbath slaves.