OK, I've had a detailed read of both the Skitarii and Cult Mechanicus codexes (I've got both), and what I've decided to do is to make my army based around a single Formation. In this case, the Emperor's Blade Assault Company. This formation is more or less what a typical small scale mechanized IG army is anyway, but comes with a few bonuses that I think are worth it. My list is as follows:
Company Command Squad: 150pts
Commander
4 veterans with lascannon, officer of the fleet,
Taurox
Veteran Squad: 155pts
2 plasma guns
Chimera
Veteran Squad: 155pts
2 plasma guns
Chimera
Veteran Squad: 130pts
Shotguns, heavy flamer, 2 grenade launchers
Taurox
'Satanic Canine'
Hellhound/Banewolf/Devil Dog
Valkyrie: 135pts
Multilaser, 2 Multiple Rocket Pods
Commissar: 55pts
Plasma pistol, power weapon
Primarus Psyker: 50pts
Total at present: 955pts
A couple of things to discuss. First of all, I have no idea which variant of Satanic Canine to take. I would say a Hellhound but remember, I am aiming to go easy on my friend. Second of all, I'm 45pts short of a round 1000, and I'm open to suggestions.
So far, the tactics are to come at him with the chimera vets and the Satanic Canine head on, whilst the CCS and the two Tauroxes hang back and provide cover fire. Meanwhile, the vets with assault weapons, along with the Commissar and Pysker, ride in the Valkyrie and will assault a unit such as Rangers. It's weird that there's an army now we can go toe to toe with in assault. Especially with the Formations special rules.
Any thoughts?