2024 Year in Review and Big Dreams for 2025
What were your gaming highlights from 2024? Was there a particularly great event or game you played?
Jeff:
- Creating/running my first campaign. Super proud of that. Especially “The Endless Wastelands” game day.
- The ICI event (“Inquisitorial Conclave Invitational”) this year was also amazing (as expected). Lots of amazing games, and fun times with friends.
- A lot of 30k events I went to this year were a blast. Particular shout out to a 2-day one over the Labour Day weekend that centered around Thramas! (My Night Lords definitely came and conquered!)
Erik: Definitely the ICI, always a good time with some wonderful people and amazing games. I’ve also attended a few Heresy events in the last year and particularly enjoyed the doubles events with Jeff (Team War Crimes FTW!)
Ian: Participating in Jeff’s campaign was a blast, was nice to really dig into the Crusade rules, even if most of my units had battlescars. Running the ICI was a monumental amount of work but it really paid off in the end.
Alys: The ICI was a definite highlight for me, it was great to get some very story-driven 40k against great opponents and their beautiful armies. Jeff’s campaign day was also a lot of fun, getting to flex our Crusade armies as they were after a few turns of the campaign proper. I’ve also been playing a bit of Path to Glory in Age of Sigmar, building on some stories for a homebrewed territory in Ulgu!
Recusant: The ICI. Hands down. But I also had some great AoS games against some really cool people.
What about your hobby highlights? Favourite miniature you painted or something you converted?
Jeff: Somehow I painted more models this year than any other year since I started to track it in 2019 (currently at 84 with a few days to go – previous best was 76 during the Covid lockdown in 2021), so that was great.
Slowly painting my way through Night Lords has been a fun time. My legion champion & ICI prophet are both conversions I was very happy with.
Powering through nearly 40 Bolt Action infantry (30 of which batch painted in one go) is something I’m happy I got done. But damn, did I ever not enjoy it aha. They came out looking good, and I like them – I just hated nearly every minute of the process.
Erik: Managed to get some more work done on my 30K Dark Angels – I’m particularly proud of the captain I painted in a single monster-fueled night (and won best single mini at the Fall Open Doubles Event) after my rascal dog stole and mutilated its predecessor. I’m also very happy to have gotten most of my Leagues of Votann army ready for the tabletop.
Ian: I took a huge bite out of my terrain backlog this year and can now field about three tables of terrain (plus my Zone Mortalis table, but that’s still gonna need some work). Favourite miniature is probably the T’au’va I painted for Jason, also a big fan of my Judiciar.
Alys: My favorite mini I painted has to be a tie between either Chaplain Segador for my Raptors, or a miniature I did for my partner’s D&D character.
Recusant: I painted an entire Word Bearers army for the ICI, 1000 points of Cities of Sigmar for Age of Sigmar, and about 3000 points of Flesh-Eater Courts! My favourite non-converted model I painted was definitely Ushoran. What a Fromsoft boss of a miniature. I love him. My favourite converted miniature I painted was definitely my Word Bearers’ Master of Possessions. I think its probably my coolest conversion yet.
2024 was a big year for Fantasy, with both The Old World and Age of Sigmar 4th Edition being released. What do you think of either or both of these releases?
Jeff: I’ve only played a few games of ToW out of them. I think it’s a fun game, I never had a chance to play proper fantasy back in the day. The “older” game systems like ToW/30k definitely call to me more than regular 40k/AoS does at the moment – solely from an army building perspective. I love having lots of wargear options, especially those that aren’t necessarily included in the box.
Ian: Yeah, the list building in the Old World & 30k is something I’ve been enjoying, though I still haven’t played the former. But building Dwarf lists is very fun and enticing. I never thought I’d like the Empire, but the models they’ve revealed–especially the new wizards–are really cool.
Jeff: Those new wizards are *chefs kiss*
Alys: I haven’t gotten to play any games of the Old World yet, but I’m very curious to see how the rules stack up to previous iterations of Warhammer Fantasy. My last game of Fantasy pretty much highlighted every strange case of poor rules design and really showed why that system was put on hiatus. (Dragon losing to static combat resolution against Chaos Warriors :P) That said, the new rules look decent, and I would love to break out my High Elves some time soon!
As for AoS 4, I haven’t played many games yet, but it does seem solid. Path to Glory is leaps and bounds ahead of its’ third edition debut – a lot less bookkeeping and a lot more focus on units themselves. Really hoping that AoS gets way more narrative content this time around!
Recusant: I’ve really enjoyed playing games of Age of Sigmar’s Fourth Edition, and I can’t wait to take some armies out on Path to Glory for some narrative gaming.
What would you like to see in 2025 for The Old World or Age of Sigmar, either release-wise or direction of either game?
Jeff: GW going back on the legend armies for ToW? – I’d love for Lizardmen to get a proper army book.
Ian: Looking forward to seeing the High Elf release for the Old World, plus more models in general. Modern GW doing generic fantasy has been really cool to see, though the Age of Sigmar range never fails to impress, so looking forward to seeing more AoS releases.
Alys: Likewise, really looking forward to the High Elves getting their Arcane Journal. My old army needs to get out there once more! For AoS, I just want my books for Daughters of Khaine and Lumineth so I can get a look at those Anvil of Apotheosis rules and start designing some custom characters.
Recusant: I’m always out for more narrative content for AoS, but I’d love to see some love for the god-specific Chaos factions. They could use the same glow-up given to the Slaves to Darkness!
Space Marine 2 was a massive hit in 2024. If you could decide the next big Warhammer video game, what would it be?
Jeff: If only I could make video games!! My brain has so many ideas!! – Realistically, a Battlefield style game would be sweet. An Elder Scrolls style fantasy/ AOS RPG would also be dope as hell.
Ian: Everytime I play Hell Let Loose, I think of how cool that would be as 40k, with Predators, Leman Russes, and Astartes stomping through the mud. Also, please-please release Thanquol for Total War: Warhammer!
Jeff: Oh man, a Hell Let Loose style 40k game would rock. Though I wonder if the more “hardcore” tactical shooter would work for it vs. the more (common) arcade-y mode of Battlefield.
Alys: I’d love to see a 3rd-person RPG in the style of the Witcher or Mass Effect, set in the AoS universe. Maybe the story of a Knight-Questor sent to some far-flung corner of the realms. I think it could be a really neat way to explore and interact with the setting and some of the factions on a more personal level. And you better believe there’d be a Daughters of Khaine arena battle at some point. 
Recusant: I think a roguelike or soulslike RPG for Age of Sigmar would really do well to show off what being a Stormcast means in AOS the same way Space Marine 2 showcased… Well. Space Marines.
What big releases do you think will come out next year (for any game system, GW or otherwise)?
Jeff: Hmmmmm. Now that big snake daddy has been announced I guess I can’t put him down.
Realistic predictions:
- 30k Plastic Aurox/Carnodon
- 30k Plastic Krios tanks
- Hopefully some Seraphon Temple Guard
40k I’m a little baffled about. I didn’t expect us to see the entire Krieg and Aldaeri plastic lines already. So besides taking the short cut answer of EC Noise Marines/other EC goodies, I really don’t know. Maybe one other major army refresh? More than three in a year for the single game system seems unlikely.
Out there predictions:
- Give me BFG you cowards!
- 28mm. Dark. Mechanicum. I crave them. After the LI releases, they’ve got to be coming eventually to 30k at minimum (if not also 40k).
Erik: I’m dying to see more for the Leagues of Votann (especially a bloody codex!), I’d also love to see more forgeworld kits redone in plastic for Horus Heresy. And I’d like to see some of the older HH stuff redone to scale better with the modern marine sculpts – my beloved Paladin is so much shorter than the assault marines he often leads.
Ian: Gonna go ahead and echo Battlefleet Gothic, even if it’s more wishlisting than an actual prediction. I think Grey Knights are the only army that really needs a range refresh at this point and would be amazing to see those models redone as Primaris. Some of the Daemon range is also a bit long in the tooth (though I think it all holds up pretty well, to be honest) so might see some releases there.
Alys: My main prediction this year is going to be another wave of World Eaters releases. The lore has mentioned Butcher-Surgeons a few times, as well as some rules implying the inclusion of Berserkers on Juggernauts. Personally, I’d also love to see the triumphant return of the Red Butcher Terminators.
You’ve been selected by James Workshop to make a major decision for GW: what do you do? (This could be a specific release, different marketing strategy, move their headquarters, sky’s the limit)
Jeff: Dark. Mechanicus/Mechanicum. At. Proper. 28mm. Scale.
After that, bringing back older style army building with points, and lots of random ass wargear options.
Erik: Rules wise – we gotta bring back more customization options for list building, I want warlord traits and relics back.
As far as models go – getting rid of those annoying infantry flying stands and the lame-duck poses for minis that are supposed to be flying (looking at you jump pack intercessors and captain).
Also get rid of the paid subscription for the GW list builder apps, and add the new detachments to it when they are released on WarCom FFS.
Alys: Three words: Female. Space. Marines.
What’s got you most excited for tabletop wargaming in 2025?
Jeff: Honestly, just continuing to get great games in, with fantastic company! (And I guess seeing what fun new stuff is in the works)
Erik: I got my little brothers into Horus Heresy last year, I’m really looking forward to helping them with their armies (Imperial Fists and Sons of Horus) and playing games with them.
Other than that – continuing to get more games of HH and 40K in with awesome people, I wanna get more terrain done and start hosting gaming days at my apartment.
Ian: Planning the next ICI is gonna be wild, hoping to push the envelope on that in some new ways. There’s a lot of games I want to try and play more of, or even just try: Trench Crusade, Titanicus, the Old World, 30k. We’ll see how many I manage to fit in!
Alys: I’ve got space to host games now – so I’m really looking forward to having people over to do that. As Ian said above, there’s also a lot of systems and games I’d love to try out: Trench Crusade and Titanicus are definitely on the menu – as well as playing more Warhammer Quest!
With the recent announcement that GW has reached a deal with Amazon to produce a show, what do you think or hope they’ll produce?
Jeff: Considering it’s live action, something simple to start with. A show focusing on the guard, or the Inquisition (like Eisenhorn). I’d eventually love to see a Horus Heresy show. But I think it might lend itself better to animation (honestly I think most Warhammer does).
Ian: I’m currently rereading Malleus and keep thinking how much I’d love to see the Eisenhorn books turned into a show. That being said, as it’s not in the current timeline (i.e. pre Fall of Cadia) I don’t know how likely it is GW will make it their flagship.
Alys: I know Eisenhorn was being tossed around as a concept some years ago, and I think it’d make for a fantastic TV series. It’d be more limited in scope, but would be an interesting and more personal look at the Warhammer 40k universe. With it being easier budget-wise (no giant battlescapes of CG Space Marines), it could pave the way for other, bigger projects.
What are some of your hobby or gaming goals for 2025? Are any returning from last year?
Jeff: 2025 is probably going to be a bit of a slower year for me hobby-wise (at least until August) – while I try to put more focus into another big time sink hobby of mine, attempting to run stupid distance Triathlons…. But in terms of Warhams, I’d like to get a 2nd table completed for 40k. And just continuing to make some general painting hobby progress – it would be nice to get up to a fully painted Death Korps army, but timing may make that tough.
Erik: With a pending career shift and retraining it’s likely gonna be a slower hobby year for me too, I’m looking to continue plugging away at my Votann and Dark Angels, I got the Lion for Christmas and really want to do that boy justice when I get to painting him.
Ian: Last year I said I was going to build and paint a 30k army and that crashed and burned pretty hard (at least the painting part, I’ve got 2,500ish points build and primed), but that would be great to complete. ICI 6 may be happening in 2025, which will likely (again) dominate my hobby time. I also have this crazy idea of Project 10,000 to bring my Black Legion up to 10,000 fully painted points, of which I currently have 3,000 to go. So I’m sure I’ll waffle between these and who knows what else!
Alys: Money’s tighter for me this year, so I expect that I’ll be working on my existing hobby backlog. My priorities right now are to finish Cursed City, and to get at least 1000pts of my Sisters of Battle done. Who knows? Maybe they’ll make an appearance at the next ICI. I’d also like to either get 1000pts done of either my Lumineth, or my Soulblight.
Recusant: For 40k, I’m hoping to finish at least 1,500 points of Death Guard, 1,500 points of World Eaters, and then at least another 1,000 points of Word Bearers—just in time for Emperor’s Children! For Age of Sigmar, I’m hoping to get at least my Darkoath painted, and then I want to finish the rest of my Cities of Sigmar… And finally figure out an improved scheme for my Stormcast.
Thanks everyone! Looking like it’s gonna be another great year!