you need at least 3 healers, and Chydis is one of the better healers around. If you already have a healer on par with her then I'll probably wait for the plat princess or go saki if i really need a melee ranged.

A lighting rod usually means a unit that soaks the dmg from archers/flying units. Someone who has either high magic resist/hp/armor or all 3. The most common lightning rod is an angel class.