1000pts, first list in a slow-grow league aiming for 2500

6x Bulls w/ Ironfists, Full Command, Lookout Gnob - 227

8x Ironguts w/ Full Command, Lookout Gnob - 379

4x Leadbelchers w/ Thunderfist, Bellower - 192

This leaves me 202 points for my General, which is the part I'm the shakiest about.  I plan to kitbash a Butcher/SM out of a spare Bull, and figure at this level I'd run him as a Butcher.  How should I kit him out?  Butcher at Lvl 2 with a GW to hide out in the Ironguts unit?  Or run him at 150 points with a Greedy Fist and then buy the Dragonhide Banner for the Ironguts?  I just have no idea what to do with this guy.

Suggestions?  I haven't started building yet so I am open to changing stuff.  I have enough other models (for further down the 2500pt road) to run another unit each of Leadbelchers and Bulls.  I also have a Hunter, 2 Sabretusks, and a giant pile of Gnoblars....

I've had success with a list similar to the following at lower point levels:

Firebelly (General, Level 2, Dispel Scroll, Ruby Ring of Ruin, GW)

5x Ironguts (Full Command, Standard of Discipline, Look-Out Gnoblar)

10x Gnoblars (Trappers)

1x Sabretusk

3x Mournfang Cavalry (Musician, Standard Bearer, HA, IF, Dragonhide Banner)

Ironblaster

Total = 1000 pts

I realize you may not yet have the kits for mournfang or the ironblaster, but you will want them as they are some of the best units in the ogre book. At lower point levels, most opponents will not have a good answer to deal with mournfang, while your ironblaster provides a much needed tool to deal with enemy monstrous cavalry and warmachines. Firebelly's are just awesome at lower point levels, and the gnoblars + sabretusk gives you some decent chaff (and extra drops during deployment). Hope this helps!

-Snark

I'd skip the Thunderfist and maybe add a 10 gnoblar unit if you have them available.

I'd use the banner from the BRB that gives you +1 Ld in the irongut unit and then add your lvl2 butcher/firebelly here.

For items a great weapon and a ward safe is good and simple.

Working from your 1000 pt list the additions mentioned by Snark are solid indeed.

Hey!
 
List looks good, could do with some minor tweeks as suggested above.
Personally at 1000pts I would run with a Bruiser
However the Firebelly REALLY makes his name in <1500pts that breath weapon can be devastating!
Snarkhunter is right. That is the exact list I would suggest if you wanted to go the magic route!
Maybe with crown of command on the belly but still
Like Snark has said, MFC are very tough at 1000pts and no one really has an answer to them
However I believe the DHB at this point level is too much of an investment and I would rather drop the banner, and standard bearer for another MFC. 4 Always do better than 3 and re-rolling 1's isn't going to make much of a different here. Your MFC WILL kill what ever they charge and out of personal preference I'd rather another 3 wounds and 7 attacks +your D3 impacts too
 
Just my 2 cents, but that is all I would change if it were me running the list
 
Chris

Thanks for the feedback.  I was out of town over the weekend so haven't had a chance to reply, or even dig my book out and think about this much more.  But the advice is appreciated!