Hermit Purple is about as useful as that Sun arcana stand from Part 3 or Tonio's meals from part 4 in terms of combat.
Unless you happen to be fighting a Vampire and are channeling the ripple through the vines
, or are using the vines for mobility.
I imagine Hermit Purple would have been very useful back when Joseph was younger, fitter and stronger, as a mobility aid in fights. Who needs a strong stand for combat when you have the Ripple and high physical strength anyway?