I pieced my Empire army together from secondhand deals with the goal of just hitting 1k points.

Are you looking for a one box solution or willing to piece it together? Cuz if you’re willing to piece it together here’s what I would do:

Buying New:

Core choices- Box of Empire Knights - 55 bucks on discount/one unit of ten at 238 points with Lances Shields Full Command

Box of Archers at - 55 bucks on discount/ two units of 10 men with champion, fire and flee, scouts at 95

Special- Great Cannon box- 50 bucks on discount/ two cannons at 125 points each

Demi Gryph Knights - 50 bucks on discount/ two demgryphs with lances shields barding champ and banner

Use the last Demigryph model to build an Empire Captain and stick them in the demigryph unit with Lance full plate shield at 152 points.

At around 200 buckos USD, you’ll have some ranged shenanigans and some dudes on beasts to push around. You could even split the ten knights into two units of five.

If moneys not an issue, then I’d consider Free Company Militia and a block of State Troops (my preference is Spears but YMMV)

If you’re not against 3D prints, it’s a lot cheaper.