Howdy everybody, Ian here, looking forward to a new year filled with gaming and modeling. In 2012, I seriously got back into 40k (I had been working on my collection since the launch of 5th edition, but never learned the 5th ed rules, so didn't play after everyone quit playing 4th). My collection has developed substantially, as I completed modeling my Dark Angels this year (well, looks like they're going to need to be retooled soon...), started and got a good 2500 points done of my Astral claws, built like 2000 points of Lamenters, converted Cultists into imperial guard units for my Tyrant's legion, as well as making major strides into my Tyranids. The orphan cousin of all of my armies are my Chaos Daemons, who I don't particularly enjoy playing, and thus am using exclusively as allies.
For the coming year, I have a few priorities. First and foremost, I need a heldrake, a second Stormtalon, and a Valkyrie. I'd also like a Stormraven, but I have a papercraft one I can sub in while I wait, and I want to get further on my Lamenters before I bother buying it. I also need a Tervigon for my Tyranids and a Bloodthirster, but I hate the current scuplt of the 'Thirster. Once I get my flying house in order (and ugh, add a second Heldrake and the new Dark Angels flyer to the list if I'm being realistic), I'd love to get the new Plaguebearers, a Land Speeder Storm, F.W autocannons and some MK3 bodies to make Havocs for my CSM. I'm going to need to get some Spawn too, as well as Zombies
I also got Dreadball about a week back, so I'm currently painting it and planning to introduce it to some friends/board game night. I figure it is simpler than 40k to get people into, while also having the whole fantasy meets scifi aesthetic I enjoy. Expect some painting tutorials for those models in the near future.
Most of all, this year I intend to recruit a few additional players and get the Realm of Battle board from a discount retailer. While I know I could make a board cheaper myself, the convenience, transportability, and build quality of the realm board is just too good to pass up.
Add in some terrain projects and some scratchbuilds (I'm working on a Dreadclaw and I'd like to do another Land Raider Proteus) and I've got a lot on my plate in 2013. I'm finishing my master's this month, so I'll have a bit of spare budget and more time to play as well.