I'd go for a good hardened puller. You might need more than one, you never know. Cups a bonus, a necessity at times, but being careful has always been enough for me. The arbor is the dream, lol.
A vice is ok if its not too sloppy. A machine vice is nicer. Hardwood for temp. "cups"&/or protection.
I've cracked flanges prying. I've cracked wheel bosses and bearings prying and driving. I've cracked flanges with a nice gear puller too.
....a wheel puller would be a nice tool to start with