Went ahead and used my Freshmen Ticket on Echigo. Hideyoshi is probably the best pick if you don't have Tiger Kai but I can't say I really like her in terms of visuals. Would have grabbed Luis but since I'm playing temple, I have no nun bonuses.
Gonna probably replace my Date with Echigo and Takenaka Habei with Katakuura Kojurou as my regen tank. Question is what class to make Echigo...