Fire and Lightning

[Biotroll]

Hiho playgrounders! I need your help with two of my players and their characters.

Since last session, when things went badly for the party after they were playing stupid and rolling very very poorly, my players decided it is good idea to come up with some backup characters (and two of them with new characters as they died). So, I was able to put some build ideas (as they aer not so rules-savy and asked me for help) before all but two of them.

The two players want to make fire and lightning themed melee fighters. For race I think genasi (minus LA) will be the race they wanted. I'm stuck at classes though. They are not good with magic and tend to avoid using wizards/clerics/etc if they can (which is okay, I can tailor the encounters for them as needed). My first idea for this type of fighter was gish, but they turned it down. What they want is good bab and hps, some defense and good offense.

We do use ToB and they like it, so for fire themed fighter a swordsage looks good (or just take warblade and switch some disciplines around). I'm stuck with the lightning though, as I could technicaly just say he can use Desert Wind maneuvers with lighting instead of fire, but it doesn't seem right. Also, is there some homebrew for teamwork feats? They wanted to be friends who bicker and are trying to best each other, but actualy work the best when working together.

So, any ideas where should I look? (I apologize if the text doesn't make much sense, as I am really tired at the moment. I will try to make it more readable after I get some sleep.)

TL, DR: Two fighters, each with his own style. One fire themed, second lightning themed. Little to no magic, ToB is ok. Bonuses for teamwork is great.

[Rebel7284]

Swordsage dip certainly covers the fire well!

For lightning, something as simple as a shocking weapon may do the trick, add some lighting to EVERY hit.

If you are looking for something a little more optimized, you can do something like Cloistered Cleric 2/Swordsage 2/Crusader 1/Ruby Knight Vindicator X

RKV is a great class, and your spell progression is delayed enough that you don't have to focus on it, but it's nice to have as a backup. =)

[lytokk]

For the lightning, the one thing that occurs to me is Duskblade with shocking grasp. Warmage with the orb spells could work too. I think they both get medium armor proficiency and casting, duskblade has spell channeling, and a d8 hit die.

[Dr. Azkur]

Elecric Warrior?
Battle Stalwart Sorcerer!!! Focus on evocation. This is a great gish,despite people discrediting it for losing spells. But you know how they can get around here. Not a trap.

Sorcery is very simple, he shouldn't be scared of the spell list cause he's not being a Wizard, he just picks a few and never has to worry about anything ever again.

Remember to drop the familiar for Metamagic Specialist so he can hold up until level 9.

Silverbrow Human fits the concept beautifully. Long descendant of a Silver Dragon (The lightning one from the metallic side). Oh yes.

Feats:
-Precocious Apprentice for the first levels.
-Versatile Spellcaster because yes.
-Arcane Thesis on his favorite offensive spell (But not Lightning Bolt!)
-All the metamagic he can afford (Heighten, Maximize, Sculpt spell and Explosive Spell are all great)
-Energy Substitution (Electricity).
-Rapid Metamagic at level 9 (How could you not pick this at the exact second it's available?)
Enjoy your badass mother****er.

Damn, now I wanna play this guy.

EDIT: Remember that Stalwart when added to Battle Sorcerer doesn't take away anything.

[Rebel7284]

If you do the sorcerer suggestion, you may look into Born of Three Thunders feat. =)

[Dr. Azkur]

If you do the sorcerer suggestion, you may look into Born of Three Thunders feat. =)

Can't believe I missed that.
Huge. Thanks, man.

[Deophaun]

DFI Bardblade with Draconic Heritage (Blue/Bronze) will give you a lightning-focused melee. Problem is, everyone else gets electrified with you.

An Azuran charger build with the Shape Soulmeld feat to pick up Thunderstep boots will give him +2d4 sonic damage on his charge attacks. Not lightning, but related.

[Azoth]

Without gishing it is a bit hard to be elementally themed. Even a shocking weapon is pointless after a point due to resist 5 let alone immunity.

As for working together better, maybe they should look into some of the tactical feats or design their mele builds to work together. Maybe a charger and a tripper. Both build styles are effective in their own rights, but when you combine them it can be scarry. Especially using Setting Sun throws (which count as trips) to hurl enemies into charge position for the other to turn into mince meat.

[Darrin]

I'd probably try something with Warforged Duskblade + Shocking Fist (Player's Guide to Eberron).

[Xintas]

I've actually been building this guy for a while so its kinda perfect timing. Battle Sorceror + Monk + Abjurant Champion + Enlightened fist.

For feats, give him Ascetic mage (can sacrifice spells for more punching damage plus CHA to AC), Storm Bolt (reserve feat for free lightning line attacks) and Arcane Strike (sacrifice more spells for more punching damage). You end up with a dude who can Electricity punch for all the damage, rolls d8s for HP every level but 5, and those are d10s, has 15 BAB, and up to 8th level spells to sacrifice/use.

Hard to kill with CHA to AC and boosted mage armors+shield, good saves, and decent HP, good damage, and very on theme. I would be happy to lay out the build for you if that is the direction you are looking for.