Faith build most useful until end-game or NG+

[Scrunch]

This is opinion but, I feel as if faith builds are the most effective when going through the game from start to finish, maybe excluding the final boss Judge. The special drop version of Clawfinger is immensely powerful, and the special attack can hit through walls, not to mention the guantlet starts doing alot of damage later in the game and once your faith is high enough.

What do you guys think? Feel any differently? Also if you know of a great warrior set-up give the names of the equipment because I'm interested.