More uses for Echo Shards: Echo Stone and Echo Helmet.

Echo shards aren't really worth the trip. A recovery compass is nice, but probably not worth the high chances of death. (Plus, it's useless in hardcore.) I have two ideas for items that you could use them for:

Echo Stone:

Made from 9 echo shards. This block deflects vibrations in a twenty block radius, making it harder for the warden to pinpoint you.

Echo Helmet:

A helmet item. I have two ideas for the crafting recipe: a. 1 skulk sensor and 8 echo shards b. 1 skulk sensor, 1 skulk catalyst, 1 skulk shrieker, and 6 echo shards. The helmet would give you the warden's ability to detect vibrations. Things detected with the helmet would receive a blue highlight (even through blocks.) If the vibration came from outside of your field of vision, an effect on the screen would indicate which direction is was. This would prevent mobs from ambushing you. It would not have very good protection though.