On a simple note, using Queen P in the lab is a great idea. She single handedly deals with the hard mode for me. Try her in the normal mode.

Just put her at 100 morale, and put your best skill+physical attack runes on her, you best vitality rune, and your best defensive runes (magic defence and physical defence first). Make sure she has preciseness. That's for a total of 7 runes, so level 75. If you are only level 65, drop physical defence. If you are level 55, drop physical defence too.

Make sure she is your first frontliner.

Put your best gears on her.