Here are the 3 lists I have come up with. Any feedback would be great.

List #1 triple threat 1k - worried about a squishy manticore - just figured at 1k not too many people will be prepared for terror bombs or that many attacks

1000 Pts - Dark Elves Roster - 1k_2

Noble (2#, 352 pts)
Master @ 352 pts (General; Hand Weapon; Lance; Repeater Crossbow; Heavy Armour; Sea Dragon Cloak; Eternal Hatred)
1 Manticore (Uncontrollable; Causes Terror; Flyer; Killing Blow; Large Target)
1 Enchanted Shield
1 Pendant of Khaeleth

War Hydra (3#, 175 pts)
1 War Hydra @ 175 pts (Fiery Breath; Monsters and Handlers; Causes Terror; Eternal Hatred; Large Target; Regenerate; Scaly Skin)
2 Beastmaster (Hand Weapon; Eternal Hatred)
1 Beastmasters Scourge

Shades (7#, 261 pts)
6 Shades @ 261 pts (Hand Weapon; Repeater Crossbow; Eternal Hatred; Scouts; Skirmishers)
1 Assassin (A Killer Not a Leader; Always Strike First; Hidden; Khainite; Hand Weapon; Eternal Hatred; Poisoned Attacks; Scouts)
1 Cloak of Twlight
1 Manbane
1 Rending Stars

Repeater Crossbowmen (10#, 100 pts)
10 Dark Elf Repeater Crossbowmen @ 100 pts (Hand Weapon; Repeater Crossbow; Light Armour; Eternal Hatred)

Dark Riders (5#, 110 pts)
5 Dark Riders @ 110 pts (Hand Weapon; Repeater Crossbow; Spear; Light Armour; Eternal Hatred; Fast Cavalry)
5 Dark Steed

Total Roster Cost: 998




List # 2 some blocks + hydra 1000 Pts - Dark Elves Roster -

War Hydra (3#, 175 pts)
1 War Hydra @ 175 pts (Fiery Breath; Monsters and Handlers; Causes Terror; Eternal Hatred; Large Target; Regenerate; Scaly Skin)
2 Beastmaster (Hand Weapon; Eternal Hatred)
1 Beastmasters Scourge

Noble (1#, 138 pts)
1 Master @ 138 pts (General; Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour; Sea Dragon Cloak; Eternal Hatred)
1 Soulrender (Great Weapon)
1 Pendant of Khaeleth

Warriors (20#, 180 pts)
19 Dark Elf Warriors @ 180 pts (Musician Mus; Standard Bearer Std; Hand Weapon; Spear; Light Armour; Shield; Eternal Hatred)
1 Lordling (Hand Weapon; Spear; Light Armour; Shield; Eternal Hatred)
1 War Banner

Black Guard (14#, 270 pts)
13 Black Guard @ 270 pts (Warrior Elite; Standard Bearer Std; Halberd; Heavy Armour; Eternal Hatred; Immune to Psychology; Stubborn)
1 Tower Master (Warrior Elite; Heavy Armour; Eternal Hatred; Immune to Psychology)
1 Crimson Death
1 Banner of Hag Graef (Always Strike First)

Repeater Crossbowmen (10#, 100 pts)
10 Dark Elf Repeater Crossbowmen @ 100 pts (Hand Weapon; Repeater Crossbow; Light Armour; Eternal Hatred)

Cold One Knights (5#, 135 pts)
5 Cold One Knights @ 135 pts (Hand Weapon; Lance; Heavy Armour; Shield; Eternal Hatred)
5 Cold One (Thick-skinned; Causes Fear; Stupid)


Total Roster Cost: 998


List # 3 - Shooty Magic Resistance of death -

1000 Pts - Dark Elves Roster

Noble (1#, 143 pts)
1 Master @ 143 pts (General; Hand Weapon; Great Weapon; Repeater Crossbow; Heavy Armour; Eternal Hatred)
1 Null Talisman - MR3

Shades (10#, 308 pts)
9 Shades @ 308 pts (Hand Weapon; Extra Hand Weapon; Repeater Crossbow; Eternal Hatred; Scouts; Skirmishers)
1 Assassin (A Killer Not a Leader; Always Strike First; Hidden; Khainite; Hand Weapon; Repeater Handbow; Eternal Hatred; Poisoned Attacks; Scouts)
1 Rending Stars
1 Manbane

Repeater Crossbowmen (10#, 110 pts)
10 Dark Elf Repeater Crossbowmen @ 110 pts (Hand Weapon; Repeater Crossbow; Light Armour; Shield; Eternal Hatred)

Repeater Crossbowmen (10#, 110 pts)
10 Dark Elf Repeater Crossbowmen @ 110 pts (Hand Weapon; Repeater Crossbow; Light Armour; Shield; Eternal Hatred)

Reaper (3#, 100 pts)
1 Reaper Bolt Thrower @ 100 pts (War Machine; Eternal Hatred; Repeater Bolt Thrower)
2 Crew (Hand Weapon; Light Armour; Eternal Hatred)

Reaper (3#, 100 pts)
1 Reaper Bolt Thrower @ 100 pts (War Machine; Eternal Hatred; Repeater Bolt Thrower)
2 Crew (Hand Weapon; Light Armour; Eternal Hatred)

Noble (1#, 125 pts)
1 Master @ 125 pts (Hand Weapon; Great Weapon; Repeater Crossbow; Heavy Armour; Shield; Eternal Hatred)
1 Ring of Hotek

Total Roster Cost: 996

Is this for an escalation tournament or for a 1k tournament?

this is for the team tournament. 1k +1k for each side.

I like the first list the most. Fast enough to cover most of the battlefield without needing war machines.

List 2 is a good hammer/anvil as long as you don't go stupid. Banner of Cold Blood is only 15 points if you can squeeze it in

The idea of list 3 is good, but seems pretty situational for 1k. I'm thinking the most magic you'll see is vs Vampires which isn't likely to be targeted at you or using more than 1 dice.
If you had 2 sorcs instead of the masters, you'd gain another 2 dd and be a threat to back up the shades.
Level 1 with Lifetaker is 130, power of Darkness/chillwind can shut down their shooting too.

I think the first list is a great idea cause monsters suck to deal with.

What about a high elf dragon mage though??? You could basically make the same high elf list by taking archers instead. Or maybe sea guard cause they are tough and still get to shoot and fight in ranks if needed. Just an idea.

HE don't have anything like that Hydra though and no option for the ghey first turn charge.

As an alternative to the ASF BlackGuard. Try the AP Banner (Banner of Murder) with an assassin.

Assassin can take out much of the front rank even vs Strike first troops, then your guard are going to be hitting at -2 to their AS

Vs T4 troops the assassin will be hitting S5 (manbane) and -3 AS