350 Pts Boarder Patrols Campaign - Advice needed

Hi Guys

In a few weeks I will be entering a Boarder Patrols campaign down at my local GW store. The rules for lists are fairly simple. We have been given a 350pts limit and can only use said points for 1 Lord or Hero and one Core orSpecial choice. Rather than the usual points restrictions we are allowed up to 50% (175pts) for our Lord/Hero. I wanted to make my Patrol fairly fluffy and themed but with still an element of butt kickery. I've come up with 2 pretty fluffy ideas and one just because I love the models and want an incentive to get them painted but here's the lists I've prepared. Please could you let me know which list you prefer and why? Also any additions or changes to the lists would be appreciated. Seeing as I'd be lucky to get more than 5 models with Ogre's I've decided to bust out the newly painted High Elf army I'm currently working on. Here's the lists

1.
Noble
Great Weapon
Longbow
Shadow Armour (HA + Scouts rule)
Guardian Phoenix (5+ Ward)
153

12 Shadow Warriors
195

345

OR

2.
Mage
Level 2 - High Magic
Guardian Phoenix
Silver Wand (+1 Additional Spell)
170

9 Swordmaster
Full Command
Sword of Striking (Bladelord Upgrade)
180

350

OR

3.
Mage - 100
Level 2 Shadow/Death/Fire
Guardian Phoenix
Silver Wand
170

9 Phoenix Guard
Full Command
Standard of Discipline
180

350

1. This list is based on a unit of Shadow Warrior scouts who would sneak in and assasinate the enemy or whittle enemy patrols down with arrow fire before closing in for the kill. Lacks magic but could be really good fun plus I'm a big fan of Alith Anar and the Nagarythe story lines. This idea is kind of supposed to be a Shadow Lord rather than Shadow King.

2. Based on a Hoeth contingent of SM's who would typical go out and hunt down any Slaaneshi cultists etc lead by their trusty and faithful High Mage (ideally took High magic for Shield of Saphery and Drain Magic but the 3rd spell could be useful, probably Fury of Khaine or Flames of the Phoenix for some magic offence). Basically these guys are my High Elf equivalent to Witch Hunters/Inquisitors.

3. Figured these guys would be a good contender seeing as they come with a tidy looking 4+ ward and with a Mage to back them up however I couldn't decide what lore of magic to use. I'm also not sure about taking the Silverwand on the Mage here either. Maybe the Seerstaff of Saphery would be better so I can chose my spells acording to the enemy at hand. Shadows is a likely candidate seeing as I can nerf S or T when needed or if I get lucky a cheeky Mindrazor that wouldn't go amiss but Death offers some great spells and Fire is always a fairly safe choice for a level 2. It's the age old case of quality spells over quantity.

So here's my ideas, please feel free to tear them to pieces, offer advice or critiques. Any and all help will be appreciated.

P.S. for those who don't know HE's very well I have put a brief description of the items my Heroes would be equiped with, apologies to those who already know, I'm not one for teaching people how to suck eggs. 

Thanks in advance.

In terms of fluff? The 1st option is best. In game terms? A shadow mage with the Swordmasters would be almost unbeatable.

In terms of fluff? The 1st option is best. In game terms? A shadow mage with the Swordmasters would be almost unbeatable.

I'm hearing what your saying because I love my Swordmasters more than is healthy for me but they tend to suffer from the "Glass Cannon" issue. They WILL kick your teeth in but wont survive to brag about it down the pub. I wanted to put a High Mage with them to get a 5+ ward save spell cast on only 5+ and additionally offer myself some form of magic defense from Drain Magic (the free spell) but Shadows also protects by seriously reducing the amount of High S attacks coming in... argh this is a nightmare!

Either way that's one vote for SM's with a Mage, thanks for your input Tanksie.

I don't particularly care for any of the lists, as list one wants to stay out of CC and thereby wastes the noble, and lists two and three want to be in CC and thereby endanger the mage (either by putting him in CC or separating him from LoS rolls).

So maybe a reaver bow noble with the SW, or a fire mage with silver wand and ruby ring.

Or a unit of elites and a CC noble.

The shadow warrior thing is pretty cool though.

I see what your saying with my lists actually. They were a little rushed as I was excited to be building my dragon whilst knocking out the lists. With the Shadow Warriors list I was thinking just have the entire unit run rings around the enemy by marching and firing their bows to whittle down the enemy enough for the SW's and Noble to get up close n kill the survivors. Perhaps putting a Mage in with these guys like the Fire Mage suggested and just keep them at range. Failing that I could go with the Swordmasters with a High mage so I can access Shield of Saphery and give him Folariath's Robes so he is effectively ethereal?

Another idea my Girlfriend actually suggested was putting the noble on a horse like so

Noble
Great Weapon
Dragon Armour
Barded Steed
Helm of Fortune
Guardian Phoenix
165

This gives me a 2+ re-roll AS and a 5+ ward as well as 185 points to spend on my unit. This seems like a fairly solid noble and seeing as the vast majority of template weaponry is rare I'm probably not going to have to worry about LoS. I could have him on his own with a unit of 10-12 Infantry or take my Dragon Princes (Don't have Silverhelms ) to keep him safe. Any thoughts on these ideas?

The noble could work, I would add on a shield for reroll 1+ vs shooting and then 11 elites + gleaming pennant.

Or you could go armor of caledor and dawnstone and put him in the unit, he loses the ward but becomes cheaper and can't be picked out by shooting.