Hello all. I'm currently working n a 2500 point list for a small round robin tournament in the end of April against three friends who play High Elves, Dark Elves, and Vampire Counts. We won't be playing with any End Times rules (apart from the 50% change for Lords and Heroes), however we have decided to modify the core sections for each of our armies to build different lists that will open up different options for us as follows:

Slayers count as Core for Dwarfs
Swordmasters count as Core for High Elves
Spirit Hosts and TK Chariots count as Core for Vampire Counts

The Dark Elf player doesn't really want anything to change to his core, but we're considering giving Corsairs the ability to pay to upgrade to have Vanguard or Ambush.

I pretty much know I'll be facing the following things from my opponents:

HE: Fighty Char on Griffon, Frostheart Phoenix, Swordmasters, WL w/ BotWD, Phoenix Guard, Bolt Thrower, Archmage, 8 Silver Helms, 5 Dragon Princes

DE: Fighty Char on Manticore, War Hydra, WE, Repeater Xbowmen, Bolt Throwers, Hydra, COK, Corsairs, Dark Riders, Executioners

VC: 2 Skellie Blocks, Blender Vamp Lord, GG, probably small Black Knight unit, Black Coach, 3 TK Chariots, 4 Spirit Hosts

Also, nobody currently runs units in hordes.

Edit (2/17): I know this is all very non-traditional, but I've finally put together a full list.

Grimm Burloksson @ 165

1 Runesmith @ 138

General
Fiery Ring of Thori
Rune of Spellbreaking
Rune of Warding
Shield

1 Thane @ 220

Battle Standard Bearer
Master Rune of Grungni
Strollaz' Rune
Rune of Stoicism

1 Runesmith @ 91

Rune of Spellbreaking
Great Weapon

30 Slayers @ 439

Counts as "core" choice/tax
Standard & Musician
2 Troll Slayers
Strollaz' Rune

12 Thunderers @ 186

Shields
Full Command

1 Gyrocopter @ 80

24 Ironbreakers @ 401

Full Command
Brace of Drakefire Pistols for Ironbeard
Rune of Stoicism

1 Grudge Thrower @ 135

Rune of Forging
Rune of Accuracy
Rune of Fire

1 Organ Gun @ 120

1 Organ Gun @ 170

Rune of Accuracy
Rune of Forging

18 Irondrakes @ 310

Musician
Ironwaren w/ Trollhammer Torpedo

Total: 2500

General Runesmith goes with the Ironbreakers using the Ring when necessary. I've had a lot of success with the ring. The other Runesmith and the BSB go with the Irondrakes.

Basically I was planning on running to different sides of battle. The Slayers and Irondrakes go on one side with the Gyrocopters, surprising my opponent with aggressive movements (I had originally given the BSB Strollaz' as well, but then realized I had forgotten to give Stoicism to the Ironbreakers). I plan on deploying the Slayers opposite the White Lions w/ BotWD, Grave Guard, and whatever DE unit looks the scariest.

On the other side will be the more traditional war machines guarded by Grimm, Thunderers, and the Ironbreakers. Even though I had bad luck with the Grudge Thrower last time around, it's cheaper than a Cannon w/ forging and I still think is more versatile than a Cannon as I'll be playing Elves and VC - lower toughness armies for the most part.

I'm adamant about the Grimm as I used him to great effect when I proxied him. I also want to use my Ironbreaker unit, Organ Guns, Copters, and I want to give the "core" Slayers a go. Anything else I'm more than willing to change, though as you can see I'm looking for a fun hybrid list over a tournament build (obviously as we're using house rules).