Having played Vampire Counts quite a lot in 8th Edition, here's what I like:
Core:
Ghouls - Toughness 4, 2 attacks and Poison; take big units flanked by smaller units.
Corpse Cart - worth taking one if you have the points - just to have Miasma of Deathly Vigour to get strike first.
Special:
Grave Guard - units of 30 strong with Great Weapons or Shield save
Rare:
Cairn Wraiths 3 strong with Banshee for that howl
Varghulf - Nice unit to give addition Vampire march support.
The rest of the units have not really worked for me, luckily I have 140 Ghouls in my collection.
As to Lords/Heroes:
Vampire Lord
Master of the Black Arts - boost of 2 power dice essential
Forbidden Lore - get all the spells
Summon Ghouls - to add +1 to roll and be able increase size of Ghoul units.
Helm of Commandment - give
WS to another unit
Vampire
Infinate Hatred - re-roll to hit
The Flayed Hauberk - good save
Sword of Kings - get killing blow
Combat killer to lead a Horde of Ghouls
2nd Vampire
Forbidden Lore - to choice the 6th spell from the other lores
Talisman of the Lycni - enable fast movement down one flank
This Vampire is the throw-away big spell caster - especially Purple Sun
4th Character can be a Wight King Battle Standard Bearer
I've tried Necromancers but find them too weak.
I've had a few successes with the Vampire Counts but not against the likes of Warriors of Chaos, Lizardmen or Dark Elves.
Still it's one of my favourite Armies - can't remember what you had in your collection...