Spirits are pretty good in this game :)
GEAR
weapon: Sword of Night and Flame
offhand: Royal Knight's Resolve weapon art
talismans: Radagon's Soreseal, Marika's Sorseal, Warrior Jar Shard, Stargazer Heirloom
helmet: Twinsage Glintstone Crown
flask: Cerulean Hidden Tear + Faith-knot Crystal Tear
spirit: Black Knife Tiche
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The key is to get enough INT to not have to use int tear, and instead use hidden tear to be able to summon Tiche (by reducing the cost to 0).