Quick Tip: Magnetized Wound Counters

This isn’t an original idea, by a long shot as extra models have been used as wound counters for almost as long as there has existed miniature wargaming, but I wanted to use it for my Tyranids as having a die sitting on their base is not aesthetically pleasing and can lead to arguments on whether you’re counting up on wounds taken or down on wounds received (but honestly people, why would you do anything but count down?).

So, in order to do this wound counting that no opponent could be confused by, I decided to use Ripper models as my Monstrous Creatures’ wounds. That along with 1/4" by 1/16" magnets and a strong adhesive like Gorilla Glue and you’re in business.
 

The first thing you want to do is test which way the magnets are drawn to one another by stacking two together. Then, separate the magnets and glue one to the bottom of your wound marker. If using Gorilla Glue, be sure to lightly wet the surface of the magnet which will be connecting to the bottom of the wound marker before putting the glue on it. Then place the marker in a manner so it will not fall off the magnet as it is drying.

Your next step is to glue the underside of the base for the Monstrous Creature model. Gluing to the underside of the base serves two purposes. The first is that you don’t have a tall stack of magnets showing on top of the base. The second reason is this will reduce the risk of the magnet tearing away from the base through use, as when you remove the wound marker from the magnet attached to the base that magnet will not be pulling away from its adhesion surface. Once you’ve placed the magnet in the glue, if your marker has already dried, you can place it opposite the magnet you’re gluing on the top side of the base to hold the magnet in place until it dries.

After the glue has dried, I generally wait a good 3 hours before even attempting to remove the wound marker, you should paint the magnet so as to disguise it and not ruin the aesthetic. So far I’ve only painted black around the magnets of the models I’m taking to Railhead Rumble, but eventually I will add paint to make it blend with the base itself. The end result is easily removable wound markers that enhance the look of your Monstrous Creature models and give you an easy method of keeping track of the wounds on said Monstrous Creature.