Im sort of an economical conservative -- I go with Air 5 on a Virtue, which gives me a nice starting scales and dominion value. The blessing is nothing to yell about, but it's still 30%, and it costs next to nothing. But then again I never go 9 with air since I rarely need SR.
I second using a Virtue Pretender but I push the blesseffect all the way to 10. Knights of the Chalice are very tough and backed by massive numbers of crossbowmen there's little to stand in their way. They even get the cheap flagellants to tie up the infantery while 5x10 crossbowmen rain bolts on their heads. Since lightningdamage is reduced I craft such items for the support commanders.
Marignon can get a really good advantage in the early game using this blesseffect.