View source for Watchmen

Out of desperation, citizens during a zombie apocalypse often need to resort to one incredibly effective (yet dangerous) tactic: meat shields. Introduced in [[Season 6]], the Watchmen is a job any citizen can choose to take up (in addition to their profession), be it {{MetaInline|Hero}} or {{MetaInline|Resident}}.

== Uses ==
* Any {{MetaInline|Citizen}} can join the {{MetaInline|Watchmen}} by selecting to join at the '''Watchmen''' tab in town. They will stay on guard as a watchman for {{MetaInline|The Attack}} that night, and block off any zombies that get past the town's defense from the remaining citizens.
** You earn {{MetaInline|Watchman}} distinction if you stand watch during that night.
** After {{MetaInline|The Attack}}, they will be relieved of their watchman duty. They need to sign up again if they want to join watch again. There are no limits on signing up.
* The number of zombies you can block off is equal to your personal defence.
** The defence provided by the watchman still counts even if they die on watch. There was a bug which the defence of one random living watchmen will be ignored for 1 death on watch. It is fixed in mid-[[Season 8]]. 
** In [[Season 9]] First Patch, dead watchman is said to block off all zombies except 1. That single zombie will intrude into the town and attack the citizens' [[homes]]. However it is bugged and is not working, i.e. no overflow actually occurs.
* In [[Season 10]] The watch chance for guardians was nerfed slightly to give value to the 'pro-watch' heroic "feat".
* {{MetaInline|Guardian}} has a base 99% survival chance while other watchmen 95%. There is also 10% chance of {{MetaInline|Wounded|displayname=Wound}} or {{MetaInline|Terrorised|displayname=Terrorisation}}.
** The chances of survival for watchman are always personal. Initially it indicates the percentage of your survival chance when you mouseover the [[File:small_human.gif]] icon but the percentage is no longer visible now.
** Your personal defence no longer affects your chances of survival.
* Any class besides {{MetaInline|Guardian}} that is a {{MetaInline|Ghoul}} will have 100% survival chance without going over.
* Certain items placed in their {{MetaInline|Inventory}}, {{MetaInline|Status Effects}} or {{MetaInline|Professional tools}} of {{MetaInline|Hero|displayname=Heroes}} will affect the survival chances and the number of zombies a watchman can block off, both positively and negatively.
* If someone dies on watch, all items in their rucksack are lost forever, which is unlike the case when someone dies in their [[home]]. In this case all items from rucksack will be all dropped into their [[chest]], ignoring the slot limit of their [[chest]].
* In [[Season 9]] First Patch, everyone faces the same risk of being attacked (but the number of zombies attacking at them is random and can vary a lot) if there is an overflow and they cannot cover the attack. In the past watchmen passed after the non-watchmen. 
* {{MetaInline|Watchmen}} survival chance drops by 10% after staying on watch for a night and 5% is regained while resting for a day.
* The Injury Chance on watch is 5% higher than the death chance. Except in hardcore, where the Injury chance is 20% higher.
** If your chance of death is 6%, then your chance of injury is 11% or in hardcore: 26%.

== Zombies Blocked and Safety ==
The following items and statuses influences the effectiveness and safety of citizens on watch:

=== Professional tools ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! Defense
! Safety
|-
| {{MetaInline|Riot Shield}} ([[Guardian]])
| 30
| 4
|-
| {{MetaInline|Three-legged Labradoodle}} ([[Tamer]])
| 20
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Voodoo Mask}} ([[Shaman]])
| 0
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Handyman's Toolbelt}} ([[Technician]])
| 0
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Survival Guide}} ([[Survivalist]])
| 0
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Small Spade}} ([[Scavenger]])
| 0
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Camouflage Vest}} ([[Scout]])
| 0
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Town Uniform}} ([[Resident]])
| 0
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Dirty Uniform}} ([[Resident]])
| 0
| 0
|-
|}

=== Statuses ===
Note: The effect stacks up.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! Defense
! Safety
|-
| {{MetaInline|Clean}}
| 0
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Drugged}}
| 10
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Hooked!}}
| 15
| -10
|-
| {{MetaInline|Drunk}}
| 20
| 4
|-
| {{MetaInline|Hungover}}
| -15
| -5
|-
| {{MetaInline|Exhausted}}
| 0
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Fed}}
| 0
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Refreshed}}
| 0
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Thirsty}}
| 0
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Dehydrated}}
| -10
| 0
|-
| {{MetaInline|Wounded}}
| -20
| -20
|-
| {{MetaInline|Infected}}
| -15
| -20
|-
| {{MetaInline|Healed}}
| -10
| -10
|-
| {{MetaInline|Terrorised}}
| -30
| -45
|-
| {{MetaInline|Ghoul}}
| 0
| 5
|-
|}

=== Heavy Items ===
You can only bring one {{MetaInline|Heavy object|heavy item}} on watch.

Note: If an item is {{MetaInline|Broken}}, it will not increase the number of zombies pulverized.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! Defense
! Safety
! Becomes
|-
| {{MetaInline|Beer Fridge}}
| {{Data|Beer Fridge|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Stinking Pig}}
| {{Data|Stinking Pig|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Unspecified Meat}} *1!
|-
| {{MetaInline|Persian Rug}}
| {{Data|Persian Rug|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Toolbox}}
| {{Data|Toolbox|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| ???
|-
| {{MetaInline|Chest}}
| {{Data|Chest|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| ???
|-
| {{MetaInline|Hastily-built desk}}
| {{Data|Hastily-built desk|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Iron Chest}}
| {{Data|Iron Chest|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Ektorp-Gluten Chair}}
| {{Data|Ektorp-Gluten Chair|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Old Door}}
| {{Data|Old Door|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Car Door}}
| {{Data|Car Door|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Mattress}}
| {{Data|Mattress|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Flatpacked Furniture}}
| {{Data|Flatpacked Furniture|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Lawnmower}}
| {{Data|Lawnmower|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Järpen Table}}
| {{Data|Järpen Table|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Old Washing Machine}}
| {{Data|Old Washing Machine|guardtoolvalue}}
|  0
|  {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Trestle}}
| {{Data|Trestle|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|PC Base Unit}}
| {{Data|PC Base Unit|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Carcinogenic Oven}}
| {{Data|Carcinogenic Oven|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Chainsaw (loaded)}}
| {{Data|Chainsaw (loaded)|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Chainsaw (incomplete)}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Engine}}
| {{Data|Engine|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Shopping Trolley}}
| {{Data|Shopping Trolley|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Rocking Chair}}
| {{Data|Rocking Chair|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Water Cooler Bottle (3 rations)}} (1, 2, or 3 rations)
| 20
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Water Cooler Bottle (empty)}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Santa's reindeer}}
| {{Data|Santa's reindeer|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Kalashni-Splash}} 
| {{Data|Kalashni-Splash|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Huge Snake (Ophiophagus trouser)}} 
| {{Data|Huge Snake (Ophiophagus trouser)|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Tasty-looking Steak}} *1!
|-
| {{MetaInline|Stake Launcher}}
| {{Data|Stake Launcher|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears (?)
|-
|}

=== Non-heavy Items ===
Note if an item is {{MetaInline|Broken}} it will not increase the number of zombies blocked off.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! Defense
! Safety
! Becomes
|-
| {{MetaInline|Aqua-Splash (5 shots)}} (1 to 5 shots)
| {{Data|Aqua-Splash (5 shots)|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Aqua-Splash (empty)}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Torch}}
| {{Data|Torch|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Burnt out Torch}}{{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Burnt out Torch}}
| {{Data|Burnt out Torch|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Rusty Chain}}
| {{Data|Rusty Chain|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Boxes}}
| {{Data|Boxes|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Bedside Lamp (off)}}
| {{Data|Bedside Lamp (off)|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Bedside Lamp (on)}}
| {{Data|Bedside Lamp (on)|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| ???
|-
| {{MetaInline|Pocket Vibrator (charged)}}
| {{Data|Pocket Vibrator (charged)|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Pocket Vibrator (incomplete)}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Groundsheet}}
| {{Data|Groundsheet|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Pathetic Penknife}}
| {{Data|Pathetic Penknife|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Adjustable Spanner}}
| {{Data|Adjustable Spanner|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Mobile Phone}}
| {{Data|Mobile Phone|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Destroyed. Leave behind: {{MetaInline|Electronic component}} 
|-
| {{MetaInline|Can Opener}}
| {{Data|Can Opener|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Tasty Homemade Dish}}
| {{Data|Tasty Homemade Dish|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Dodgy Homemade Dish}}
| {{Data|Dodgy Homemade Dish|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Open Can}}
| {{Data|Open Can|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Water Bomb}}
| {{Data|Water Bomb|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Exploding Water Bomb}}
| {{Data|Exploding Water Bomb|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Broken Human Bone}}
| {{Data|Broken Human Bone|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}} 
|-
| {{MetaInline|Human Flesh}}
| {{Data|Human Flesh|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Tasty-looking Steak}}
| {{Data|Tasty-looking Steak|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Unspecified Meat}}
| {{Data|Unspecified Meat|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Meaty Bone}}
| {{Data|Meaty Bone|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Machete}}
| {{Data|Machete|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Screwdriver}}
| {{Data|Screwdriver|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Battery Launcher Mk. II (loaded)}}
| {{Data|Battery Launcher Mk. II (loaded)|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Battery Launcher Mk. II (empty)}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Battery Launcher 1-ITF (loaded)}}
| {{Data|Battery Launcher 1-ITF (loaded)|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Battery Launcher 1-ITF (empty)}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Radio Cassette Player}}
| {{Data|Radio Cassette Player|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Radio Cassette Player (no battery)}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Mini HiFi (on)}}
| {{Data|Mini HiFi (on)|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Mini HI-Fi (Broken)}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Box Cutter}}
| {{Data|Box Cutter|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Staff}}
| {{Data|Staff|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken Staff}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Serrated Knife}}
| {{Data|Serrated Knife|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Taser}}
| {{Data|Taser|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Taser (incomplete)}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Devastator (loaded)}}
| {{Data|Devastator (loaded)|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Devastator (empty)}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Water Pistol (3 shots)}} (1, 2 or 3 shots)
| {{Data|Water Pistol (3 shots)|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Water Pistol (empty)}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Swiss Army Knife}}
| {{Data|Swiss Army Knife|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Electric Whisk (charged)}}
| {{Data|Electric Whisk (charged)|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Electric Whisk (incomplete)}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Empty Vending Machine}}
| {{Data|Empty Vending Machine|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Exploding Grapefruit}}
| {{Data|Exploding Grapefruit|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Spy Rocket}}
| {{Data|Spy Rocket|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Chicken}}
| {{Data|Chicken|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Unspecified Meat}} *1 !
|-
| {{MetaInline|Giant Rat}}
| {{Data|Giant Rat|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Unspecified Meat}} *1 !
|-
| {{MetaInline|Fat Cat}}
| {{Data|Fat Cat|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Tasty-looking Steak}} *1 !
|-
| {{MetaInline|Makeshift Guitar}}
| {{Data|Makeshift Guitar|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| {{MetaInline|Broken}}
|-
| {{MetaInline|Claymore Mine}}
| {{Data|Claymore Mine|guardtoolvalue}}
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Psychadelic Spiritual Counsel}}
| 20 * N
| 0
| Disappears<br/>
N = every citizen on watch. <br/>
Effect does not stack so you need one only that night.
|-
| {{MetaInline|ANZAC Badge}} (removed)
| 40
| 0
| Disappears
|-
| {{MetaInline|Easter Egg}} (removed)
| 60
| 0
| Disappears
|-
|}

== Notes ==
* If the watchman dies on watch, it will be reported as such in the Gazette:
*: ''[Watchman's name] was devoured by X zombie(s)!''
*: where X is "number of zombies" (which pass through the gate) divide by "number of watchmen" that night
* If a small enough number of zombies make it through the defenses, it is possible for a dead Watchman to be reported as such in the Gazette:
*: ''[Watchman's name] was devoured by 0 zombie(s)!''
* Later on someone reported they see this kind of death too [http://www.die2nite.com/tid/forum#!view/61490|thread/30742293?p=1].
*: ''[Watchman's name] tragically fell off the top of the wall.''
** It is said it is to replace the "devoured by 0 zombie(s)" message which the developer wants to avoid.
** But for the person who saw this message, the situation was 2 watchmen fighting with 3 zombies (3/2 = 1.5) so the above assertion may be incorrect.
* If the basic defence of the town is already over the number of zombies (i.e. all zombies can be blocked without the need of watchmen), it will be reported as such in the Gazette:
*: ''Last night's watchmen showed incredible courage, it's just a shame the zombies were clearly busy doing something else!''
** Watchmen will not face any risk of death, wound or infection but CANNOT earn the [[watchman]] distinction in this situation.
* Added in [[Season 9]] First Patch. The log in the [[Gazette]] indicates which citizens were on watch that night.
*: ''Last night, these watchmen showed incredible courage, but it was not enough to stay alive: X,Y,Z''
*: where X/Y/Z is the name of the citizen.
*: Most likely a translation error, the message misleads the players into thinking that the names on the list were dead on watch. In fact it simply indicates who stood watch that night.

== Changes ==
Changes in each season:
* In [[Season 6]]:
** The {{MetaInline|Watchmen}} was introduced.
* In [[Season 7]]:
** Several bugs related to {{MetaInline|Watchmen}} were fixed, including players rejoining/leaving post, consuming items in their chest, and assembling incomplete items without using resources (such as {{MetaInline|Radio Cassette Player (no battery)}} becoming a {{MetaInline|Radio Cassette Player}}, or {{MetaInline|Wonky Shopping Trolley}} becoming a {{MetaInline|Shopping Trolley}}).
*** The {{MetaInline|Flatpacked Furniture}} continues to assemble into an assortment of furniture, however.
** Watchmen status bug was also repaired. During [[Season 6]] statuses changed before attack but with [[season 7]] bug fixes this was changed so that statuses take affect before the attack. This means that {{MetaInline|Drunk}} status will stay on during the attack and is changed to {{MetaInline|Hungover}} after attack.
* In [[Season 8]]:
** Base survival chance was lowered from 95% to 92%. This made it so sober Guardians only have a 97% chance of survival, while {{MetaInline|Drunk}} Guardians can have a 100% chance of survival.
** Items are no longer converted when kept on the watch. Most are consumed and simply disappear ({{MetaInline|Flatpacked Furniture}} included). Battery guns and water based weapons lose all ammo. Animals transform into 1x food item ({{MetaInline|Unspecified Meat}} for most, {{MetaInline|Tasty-looking Steak}} for snakes and fat cats), similar to butchering an animal.
* Further changes in [[Season 8]]:
** This bug has been fixed: the defence of one random living watchmen will be ignored for 1 death on watch.
** Base survival chance is no longer visible. Guardians appear to have 100% survival chance.
** Survival chances decrease with consecutive watches. Guardians have a chance to die on watch on the third watch in a row.
** {{MetaInline|Psychadelic Spiritual Counsel}} was added. If a watchman holds it while on watch, every watchman gets 20 watchmen points. Disappears after use.
** There is a bug where items which should be broken (e.g. {{MetaInline|Makeshift Guitar}}, {{MetaInline|Old Washing Machine}}) disappear on watch sometimes. It is later fixed.
* In [[Season 9]]:
** Watchmen system has been altered to favour construction more than defensive structures. The attack curve has also been modified and is less steep now. 
** Chance of dying increases greatly each time you go on watch consecutively. The exact penalty is unknown.
** Citizen who dies on watch no longer blocks all zombies. The number of zombies they block is random and can be anywhere between 1 and max. Zombies which do not block will intrude into the town and attack citizens' house. The death of watchmen can be fatal to the town.
** The new adjustments are not welcomed by the community and attracts heavy criticisms. For example, they complain an unwanted citizen who signed up on watch can jeopardize the town.  
** The new watchmen system is proved to be buggy. No overflow will happen if at least one watchman stands on watch and all survive, even if the numbers they block cannot cover the attack.
** The same bug about watchmen items re-occurs. Items which should be broken disappear on watch sometimes. 
* Further changes in [[Season 9]] (April 4, 2014):
** The developers patch and simplify the watchmen system. See the [[Season_9#April_4.2C_2014|Patch Notes]] for details.
** Everyone faces the same risk of being attacked (but the number of zombies attacking at them is random and can vary a lot) if there is an overflow and they cannot cover the attack. In the past watchmen passed after the non-watchmen. 
** The bugs of watchmen items which should be broken disappear on watch sometimes is fixed again.
** A new log is added in the [[Gazette]]. It indicates which citizens were on watch that night.
** Dead watchman is said to block off all zombies except 1. That single zombie will intrude into the town and attack the citizens' [[homes]]. However it is bugged and is not working, i.e. no overflow actually occurs.
* In [[Season 12]]: Ghoul defense lowered from 20 to 0.
== External links ==
* {{Help|the_watchmen}}


[[Category:Town]]