Rivalry Armies

So I own a Bret Army, High Elf Army, and Ogre Army. What I want to do with them is construct a 1000-1500 point list for two of them, Ogres and High Elf preferred, that are tailored to eachother. Reason being I loan one of them out in a desperate attempt to get people hooked on fantasy. When I have played lists that are balanced specifically to fight each other, I have always found those games to be amazingly fun, and normally close to the last turn, which is what I am going for in recruiting.

I want to do just a discussion on possible combinations that could work towards this right now. Don't worry about models, but avoid Phoenixs as I hate them in concept on model, and my HE fluff forbids them anyways, so I have no plan on owning them.

I'd just make it simple, have a good amount of units from each army to showcase clearly magic, shooting, and of course combat.  I wouldn't heavily gear an army towards anything really.

Leadbelchers
Ogres
Firebelly
BSB
MFC
Sabretusks

Archers
Archmage
BSB
Elite Infantry
Cavalry
RBT's

Not sure which models you have, but I would suggest structuring the armies to show off how different unit type are effective against others.

So for high elves, have a block of sea guard, some dragon knights or silver helms, and maybe a lion chariot.

The ogres can bring a block of guts, a block of ogres, and an iron blaster.

The sea guard can kill the iron guts and get killed by the bulls.
The dragon knights can kill the bulls and get killed by the guts.
The lion chariot can kill the iron blaster in combat or get killed by it at range.

Like I said, models arn't a big deal right now because 'tis the season of army growth in the US. I don't like the rock paper scissors set up, but if I fill in some holes with fun stuff, wizards, etc... although an Ironblaster is a bit brutal, that chariot will never make it more then five seconds once the Ogre goes.

I would go for the charismatic part of each army and size the units so each have a fair chance of dying and have a counter target in the opposing army

For ogres go for:
deep formation of cheap gnoblars (only unit that is dirt cheap and disposable)
Irongut with magical banner (magic is cool)
small unit of lead belcher (give a view og BS shooting with B3 vs BS4-5)
Iron blaster (cannons are cool)
Morunfangs (size matters)
But no sabretusks as the redirecter part is not for new players... and very counter intuitive that one cat can force a horde of elves off course : )

For the elves go for:
archers (pew pew pew)
silverhelms
some elite inf
eagles (flying is fun)
2 RBT

1600 Points each (To make the maths easier.)

Ok Elf:

Prince on Griffon (The IoB Griffon Model looks awesome, and I don't have the points for a Dragon which looks more awesome.) Ogre Blade, Enchanted Shield, +5 Ward Talisman. Will factor all of that the pre-printed Stat line to make life easy for any new player.

Silverhelm 7 Man Bus, with FC, and an attached Noble BSB with Ranger Banner. (Going back on forth with this, dealing with difficult terrain is a big deal for cav, and this circumvents it, but also makes it easier to use.)

Mage, Level 2 likely with High Magic. HM is easy to use and does a little of everything. In PG Bunker, 14 Strong, with FC and Razor Standard. (This unit will likely be the most feared by the Ogres.)

20 Sea Guard, FC, Bow, and Shields. (Awesome looking unit, and gives them a unit deep enough to abuse all the elven multiple rank stuffies.)

Sisters of Avelorn, because these girls are awesome.

Ogres:

Tyrant, Thundermace, Other Trickster Shard. (Just in case the PG become too entrenched.)
Bruisers with BSB/Razor Standard (Not sure what else to give him banner wise, or if I should go non-magic banner and give him gear.)
Firebelly, Level 2 with Hellheart. Fire Magic is awesome, enough said there. (Plus the model is sweet.)

Iron Blaster? (Awesome Model, but is a powerful counter to the griffon, may replace with MFC instead.)

Leadbelchers, 4 with Bellower.

Ironguts, FC with Dragonhide. (Tyrant and Firebelly Bus.)

Ogres, 5 (Bruiser here.)

May move bruiser into Ironguts and Firebelly into Bulls.

Normally I will be playing the ogres which is why it is a little less simplified. I can trust myself not to cream the griffin with the cannon, however to not do so makes the other player unaware of what happens when you take a griffon against cannon wielding armies in the 'real world.' So, not sure about the ironblaster at this point.

I'd definitely go with MFC over the ironblaster for this game.  They'll have plenty of time to have their monster blown away once they start playing regular games.  MFC in a reasonable number will be more fun to play against, IMHO.

Also, I would cut way down on all the magic banners, etc. and let them get used to the basic game mechanics of each unit type, dangerous terrain included.  Maybe give each general a cool/fun magic item for them to mess around with, like Gut Maw for the tyrant or something, but put the extra points towards more units for them to try/fight.  A bolt thrower or two and a chariot for the elves would be a good introduction to those unit types...  maybe a monster for the ogres?

That's just my 2 cents; unit variety > magic items.

New Ogre: (Went FC to give plenty of challenge opportunities.)

Tyrant w/ Thundermace Heavy Armor, Brace of Pistols
Bruiser BSB Heavy Armor/Iron Fist
Firebelly, Level 2

6 Ironguts, FC
5 Bulls, FC

LeadBelchers, FC
MFC x4 FC

High Elf:

Prince, w/ Starlance, Heavy Armor, Lion Cloak, Shield, Griffon w/ Swift
Noble, BSB, Horse, Bard, Shield, Heavy, Lion Cloak
Mage, Level 2 High Magic

Sea Guard x20
Silverhelm x8

PG x14
Tiranoc Chariot

Sisters
RBT

I like the idea of bigger army, less magic items. Puts more in the hands of the dice, and less things to remember, and looks more impressive on the table.

Looks awesome!  Let us know how a few games play out with those lists, and you'll be able to fine tune things as the battles unfold. 

This is exactly how I got hooked on fantasy; two friends with WoC and High Elves kept staging games for me to watch or play, and it was only a matter of time before I picked up an army of my own.  Good times!