Looking for some list and purchase advice, starting Cygnar with eHaley 50pts

[Quizboy]

People keep proving inexplicably willing to pay me real money for bits on a server in Diablo 3, so I'm starting a new faction

This is the list I'm thinking about building around - the Stormwall and Strider are kind of non-negotiable (I'm looking forward to painting them!), but I'm wondering if I should drop a Stormsmith and Rhupert for either Runewood or Jr? Learn to live Squireless?

Major Victoria Haley (*5pts)
* Thorn (8pts)
* Stormwall (19pts)
* Squire (2pts)
Storm Strider (9pts)
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team (4pts)
Sword Knights (Leader and 9 Grunts) (6pts)
Captain Arlan Strangewayes (2pts)
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord (2pts)
Stormsmith Stormcaller (1pts)
Stormsmith Stormcaller (1pts)
Stormsmith Stormcaller (1pts)

The other question I have is where to go from here, assuming further casters along the lines of 2/3 Nemo, eStryker? I'm looking to grab a Stormclad and a few lights for some list versatility, but I'm after advice on another unit. Stormblade/Guard are off the table for now no matter how good they are, since they're getting that plastic resculpt in the near-ish future. I'm thinking mercs - for general usefulness with a variety of casters, would you recommend Nyss? Forge Guard? Forget the mercs and grab ATGM?

Thanks for any and all advice

[n8d0g]

You've really really limited yourself here. Unless there are rumours of a stormblade/guard resculpt they are next to be picked up.

I originally build my cygnar on a budget when my army case was stolen, my 3 armies comprised of the following:

Nemo/EStryker/EHaley
2x Stormclad
Thunderhead
2x Stormblade+UA
1x Stormguard
Journeyman
Storm Lance
2x Hunter
Ayana Holt
Reinholt
Squire
Lancer

In my list above you can make A) Stryker Theme B) 14" Charge bonded Stormclad with Ehaley assassination C) 3 Heavy Jack Nemo list with lots of free focus from Stormblade.

I know you mentioned you dont want the stormblade/guard, but honestly they are more or less staple in many lists. Sword Knights and Precursors only really fit in certain lists and become very restrictive. You also have lots of characters which are character so you can only use them in 1 list for 2 or 3 list format tournaments.

[n8d0g]

Additional Post:

If you have no real cash restriction and want competitive play and a variation of units, Siege is the next on the shopping list for you since he runs trenchers/Defenders/Long Gunners/Gunmages + Reinholt for the 2nd Rocket.

Then ECaine assassination list with Boomhowlers, Precursors+Gallant/Rangers/Gunmages.

Kraye jack heavy list: 2x Hunter, Centurion, Hammersmith( for the full tilt), 2x Rangers (Or drop the rangers for 2x Minutemen)

P Styker utility List: Longgunners, Old Rowdy, Stormblade+UA (for the snipe+earthquake combo)

Darius for jack heavy attrition lists: 2x Swordknights +UA/ 2x Centurion, Mechaniks.

As a note, I actually own all of the above models over the period of a year and now own about 150pts of stuff. If you want to play Cygnar competitivly, thats how to do it. If you want to do it on a budget, refer to my 1st post.