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So as I am getting into the game I notice that more experienced games count up on their wounds. So a character with 1 wound would show having 1 on the dice. I thought it would make more sense to count down, so if it was a 5 wound character then it would show 4. This way you wouldnt have to know how many are left on each person or to keep asking "how many wounds does he have left". Counting down seems to make sense but the vets count up? Any thoughts on this or why this came to be?

Well, when your using wound markers, 'counting up' the number of wounds you have taken is easier. (and uses less markers).

When just using dice.. I count up, not sure why, just to be consistent with wound markers I guess.

Vets generally have it memorised how many wounds any give model has at maximum, so they don't need to ask at all.

Ive never seen anyone counting up, but I tend to only play with a fairly casual group.

I count down, so people can easily see how much they still need to damage.

I count up, but I've seen people do it both ways.

I generally count up, but try and count down as down seems to be more common against the people I play

I used to count up on the dice, because I am very familiar with how many wounds my models have and I like to count how many they have taken.

However, I have recently started counting down, so that my opponents (who might not be as familiar with my models) can easily see how many wounds are left, without having to ask me how many the model started with.

In that regard, I think 'counting down' is the most friendly/convenient way to play it.

Count down - it's clearer and fair to everyone.

We count down around here

Count down, but only put a dice there once the first wound has been taken.

 Galef wrote:
I used to count up on the dice, because I am very familiar with how many wounds my models have and I like to count how many they have taken.

However, I have recently started counting down, so that my opponents (who might not be as familiar with my models) can easily see how many wounds are left, without having to ask me how many the model started with.

In that regard, I think 'counting down' is the most friendly/convenient way to play it.

Yes that is how I see it. There is no need for a marker until a unit has had a wound applied. To often I dont know another codex wounds, such as yesterday I was playing a demon army where the chaos lord had 5 wounds I think. The guys in his squad had like 3 and another guy had 4? I dont know, my opponent was kind enough to count down for me but he was use to counting up. Like most video games your health doesnt start at zero and count up to when you die, it goes down. Just making sure I wasnt being an annoyance to everyone.

When a multi-wound model suffers a wound, you apply a wound marker. When they take another wound, you apply another wound marker.

There's no particular reason to change that process just because you choose to count the wounds with a die instead of with separate markers.

 insaniak wrote:
When a multi-wound model suffers a wound, you apply a wound marker. When they take another wound, you apply another wound marker.

There's no particular reason to change that process just because you choose to count the wounds with a die instead of with separate markers.

Making it easier for your opponents to tell how many wounds are left is not a reason?

Since models don't have any of their other characteristics marked on them, no, not really.

You mean those other characteristics that, unlike wounds, do not tend to change over the course of a game and thus have less need of a way to remind everyone of their current status?

Apples and oranges.

As soon as two people agree it's easier to count down, they have a reason to do so. A reason does not need to be universal, it can be personal preference. I'm not really sure why you're being so "judgement from on high" on this issue.

I have no idea where you got the impression that I was being judgemental, but if you did, I apologise. That wasn't my intention.

The rules say to mark wounds applied, and I don't see any particular reason to do it another way. That's as far as it goes. If people want to agree between themselves to do it another way, that's entirely their call.

I don't think there's actually any reference on how to "display" a model's wounds taken/remaining, or if you even have to mark it at all (good idea or not). There's a few places that mention placing a remind marker for a few abilities like Soul Blaze, Going to Ground, and Strikedown, but for wounds there's no reference to wound counters or markers. The closest thing the rules say is "The model gets to make a saving throw, if it has one. If it fails, reduce that model’s Wounds by 1. If the model is reduced to 0 Wounds, remove it as a casualty.". The "reduce that model's Wounds by 1" gets used in several places throughout the rulebook, too.

Unahim wrote:
You mean those other characteristics that, unlike wounds, do not tend to change over the course of a game and thus have less need of a way to remind everyone of their current status?

Apples and oranges.

As soon as two people agree it's easier to count down, they have a reason to do so. A reason does not need to be universal, it can be personal preference. I'm not really sure why you're being so "judgement from on high" on this issue.

What is the difference?

If you are already taking your opponents word on bs, or t; then why would you need or care how many wounds are left?(count down)

The end result is the same with either method. Whether you are applying counters to indicate lost wounds, or a die to indicate wounds left, or simply accounting(in either direction) you are still removing your models as soon as they have suffered the same number of wounds as indicated on their profile.