OK, so I have been gone from this game for a few years for various reasons, main one being University. I am looking to getting back into it. I have around 5k points of High Elves, and scattered 1.5k lists of others. Vamps have caught my gaze, yet as a theme list. I wish to be competitive a bit, winning at least half my games, yet wish to steer my list in a certain direction. I want Vamps, Skeletons only for core, no durned ghouls! I want an undead dragon as main tabletop focus (artistically speaking) some skellies, some black knights, grave guard, tomb banshees, zombies, etc.

I guess my question is is it viable in 8th to veer away from ghouls, and these new crypt horrors, or are they still the be all and end all? Please help a returning player out so I can make my beautiful list and still win sometimes =)