first, just wanted to say thanks for the ongoing help with the list so far. ive learned a ton, and apreciate the replies.
i think its better for me to maintain this thread (for the 1000pts mark) then start a new one - so ive come up with an experimental list.... again for 1000 pts
first and foremost, in my last (and only game so far) i noticed a few things. stupidity on cold ones SUCK. that and they dont really hold up to other calvary. for fun my buddie and i ran a few fights with his chaos knights vrs equal points in COR and his knights won every time. so im thinking the points for them ...better used elsewhere. second, temple gaurd are an interesting idea, but this seems to me to strike very familiar to the ogres ironguts vrs bulls debate. i like using a massive brick of dudes at my center, supported by faster moving stuff. (in my ogres army this was/is a horde of bulls flanked by mournfangs, ironblasters, maneaters, leadies and so on) so with that in mind:
skink priest, lvl 1, beasts.
scar vet, armor of destiny, GW, cold one.
20 saurus, full command.
bastilidon, solar engine
stegadon
salamanders (2 packs)
this build runs in at 994... and heres what im thinking. (please correct me if im wrong)
the bastilidon and steg run either side of the saurus. and provide ranged attacks and a big "dont F with me" line. the salamanders run up one side torching what they can. (eventually ill use high magic to fly them in behind enemy lines >

) the priest just hides behind or in the saurus unit providing buffs. while the scar vet takes off and hunts war machines or anything else he can get ahold of. eventually he will get a carnosaur to do the same thing but better. - and he does have a nice 1+/4++ save, and 4 str 7 attacks at ws 5. he should smash pretty much anything short of a hellcannon in one go. (was considering the steg helm, but no ward save on a lone cowboy makes me nervous, especially as he is the general in this list)
ive still got 4 units + characters, 2 of wich are beasties that not only provide nice combat support but good ranged attacks. the saurus unit did AWSOME in my last game, so they stay in of course. and i have a war machine hunting character to run around with and beat face, or at the very least draw attention away from my main line. thoughts?