That style of play is there. It doesn't get discussed as much simply because there isn't anything to discuss. "Try to find a random combo of items that works" isn't a very useful advice to someone who is struggling, but "prep x,y, and z" is.
Purist is viable all the way up to and including Vicious as long as you choose a reasonable class/race combo. I'd say the only dungeon where purist requires outrageous amounts of luck is VGT.