Topic: Most effective builds to combat Undead??

[Norse_slayer]

Good day fine folks,
this is to say my first post to this here forum, although I do frequently pop by.
You see I am having problems dealing with a good friends Mannfred VC list, he takes a generous bus of zombies, approx. 30 grave guard, Black Coach, small ghoul squad and a variation of different ethereals (depending on the lists, we change often but these tend to find themselves in most of them)
My biggest kefuffle (?) is being able to combat ethereals where ever they may be, and how to effectively breakthrough a decent frontline of undead. He's a clever general with a good head on his shoulders, he knows his weaknesses but I dont.
Any assistance would be much appreciated. 
P.S My lists vary too much to post an outline except I never leave home with out 2 warrior priests and a lvl 4. (Light)

[Eashamahel]

One of the most common Empire builds, generaly called the Council of Light, is very good against most undead armies.  Something like-

Arch lector on War Alter
 Lvl 4 of light
3 lvl 1's (1 with dispell scroll)

BSB

2 units of 45 Halberdiers

1 unit 4 demigryphs

cannon

Steam Tank

archer detachment (s)


The Wizards all provide Banishment on your lvl 4 and War Alter, allowing you S7 and S6 Banishment, as well as probably two casters who can toss out Shem's Burning Gaze.  Those spells will make short work of Ethereals, most big undead constructs, and two banishments can put a real hurt on Vampire cavalry units.  Cannon(s) help against the biguns, Demigryphs provide real hitting power (usually with Flaming Banner) and can tear through Crypt Horrors and such, and two units of Halberds with Hatred and ld 9 (re-rollable) and possibly other buffs will make short work of most undead infantry units.


BS shooting is mostly wasted on Undead, crossbows and handguns are even more useless than normal, seeing as how there are few good targets for them (small units of fast cav, fanatics, ect), and they aren't going to cause any panic tests.  They are just hoping to do enough wounds to force the VC player to cast a basic spell and easily heal the damage you just spent 180+pts doing.  Mortars are similarly poor.  Pistoliers often see themselves magic missiled or screamed straight off the table, and their run and shoot isn't too helpful either (easy heals, immune to panic, ect).

[Scalenex]

If you take out Mannfred his army is toast, but fighting him in close combat is difficult with the Empire.  Mannfred has a LOT of magical power.  Double Lore Mastery can reroll a poor die for Winds of Magic.  Maybe giving some one the Feedback Scroll or Hex Scroll to turn his own power against him.