So the lvl. 2 weapon trick didn't work.

You change to similar vocations before you do the purification which I did, but the trick on the wiki (part of someones blog) didn't work. Here was what I got no matter what lvl. 2 item(s) I tried with:
For Red vocation (doesn't matter the combo) - two of the Mystic Knight shields
For Yellow vocation - two black wing magick bows (or whatever they are called...lol)
For Blue - two Sanguine Stalks
For Assassin + Ranger - one magic bow, one Revenant Wail
For Mystic Knight + Warrior - one MK shield, one Sanguine Stalk
For MA + Ranger - One Revenant Wail, one magick bow; same as Assassin + Ranger. This was the combo I took. At least I can stand to have two Revenant Wails (since I like running Ranger, even if Chase is Ranger at the same time).
Well, I guess that will just encourage me to keep kicking AD's backside.
I used to use a lot of Spring Water when I first started fighting the Ur-Dragon (it was much easier/cheaper to get lots of, than Balmy's). Now, I just carry a couple of Auspicious potions just in case. With so many of the recruited pawns picking up Lordly Tonics and Godly (??), they don't need much mass healing anymore.
I also stopped toting a bunch of tonics for debilitations and whatnot. Now I carry a handful of Sobering Wines. If everyone is dealing with debilitations, I have Ulee toss one of those puppies back. It instantly takes care of any current debilitations, and protects against new ones for a short time. *thumbsup*