View source for Beginner's Guide

Here is a simple guide of what to do, what not to do, and an idea of your daily routine that should be done before making any other decisions.

==Daily Routine==
#Head to the {{MetaInline|Watchtower}} and select the option to "scan the surroundings". This helps the {{MetaInline|Town}} estimate an accurate magnitude of tonight's attack. Getting an early idea on how many zombies that will be attacking the town will give the town more time to plan out their day.
#Check the Town {{MetaInline|Forums}}: here you can read and discuss what the other players are doing. Doing this will give you an idea of what YOU can do to help, whether it be head to the {{MetaInline|Construction Sites}} to help build, or go out into the {{MetaInline|World Beyond}} {{MetaInline|Scavenging}} for resources.
#Take your daily ration of water at {{MetaInline|The Well}}. This is essential for survival, don't drink for three days, and you die. If you haven't noticed, this applies to real life as well!
##Some towns will discuss {{MetaInline|Tutorial:Rationing|displayname=rationing water}}, a strategy which everyone only drinks only if they are {{MetaInline|Thirsty}}, so they do not become {{MetaInline|Dehydrated}}.
##If you do not need to drink that day, fetch your {{MetaInline|Water Ration}} and put it in {{MetaInline|The Bank}}; it can be used for Constructions later.

==Decision Making==
#Golden Rule number 2: '''when in doubt, ask'''. Never hesitate to ask. When nobody answers you, try to find the answer using this wiki.
##Golden Rule number 1 is: always have doubt unless you know what you're doing.
#If you haven't already, read the posts on the {{MetaInline|Forums}}, then base your plan off what the town wants people to do.
##If the town has enough defense for the night, head outside into the {{MetaInline|World Beyond}} to scavenge for resources. See {{MetaInline|Tutorial:Exploring}} first so you don't get injured, trapped or killed.
##If the town has sufficient resources and is demanding work at the {{MetaInline|Construction Sites}}, you're more or less in luck: head over there and '''build the building the town has instructed you to build, nothing else'''.
##If the town asks you to do certain tasks at the {{MetaInline|Workshop}} (such as dismantle objects or create {{MetaInline|Wrought Iron}} and {{MetaInline|Twisted Plank}}), go do it, but only create {{MetaInline|Wrought Iron}} from {{MetaInline|Scrap Metal}}, and {{MetaInline|Twisted Plank}} from {{MetaInline|Rotting Log}}, NEVER downgrade a {{MetaInline|Metal Support}} or {{MetaInline|Patchwork Beam}} into those. It is a waste of {{AP}}.
#Vote for the {{MetaInline|Building upgrades|displayname=project of the day}}, but as late as possible. The daily project can upgrade one upgradable building a day for free, only requiring the players to vote for it once every day. Since only one building can be upgraded a day, it is important to know what the town wants, then vote. There is no harm in waiting.

==Other Tips==
#'''Do not combine items just because you can'''.
##Items like {{MetaInline|Box of Matches}} and a {{MetaInline|Rotting Log}} can be combined to make a {{MetaInline|Torch}}, which are not to be used unless the town is desperate.
##Never combine two {{MetaInline|Pharmaceutical Products}} together, as a {{MetaInline|Hero}} can get much better results out of them than a {{MetaInline|Resident}}. Unless the town has no heroes, never touch them.
##If you see a {{MetaInline|Radio Cassette Player (no battery)}}, do not use a {{MetaInline|Battery}} to power it unless the radio is needed for a construction, the {{MetaInline|Battery}} has many other uses.
##If you see a {{MetaInline|Plastic Bag}}, do not use a {{MetaInline|Water Ration}} to make a {{MetaInline|Water Bomb}}, because the {{MetaInline|Water Ration}} may be better used elsewhere.
##The list goes on and on. [[Item combinations|See all combinations here]].
#Do not consume alcohol if you plan on leaving the town.
##First of all, you shouldn't be drinking alcohol in the first place: alcohol should be saved for emergencies. {{MetaInline|Vodka Marinostov}} is also used in constructing the {{MetaInline|Architect's Study}}, a building of extreme usefulness, so don't even think of touching it unless the building has already been built.
##Being {{MetaInline|Drunk}} significantly reduces your ability to scavenge. If you use any of the alcoholic items, use your {{AP}} on construction or in the workshop.
#If surrounded by zombies out in the {{MetaInline|World Beyond}}, do not run away or panic; if possible, do nothing. Zombies are incredibly patient until 23:00, so you're safe until then. Head over to read {{MetaInline|Tutorial:Trapped!|displayname=this tutorial}} instead.
##Running will always result in an injury. A {{MetaInline|Bandage}} is rare, and without getting healed, you will develop an {{MetaInline|Infected|displayname=Infection}}, and then, likely, {{MetaInline|Death|displayname=die}}. Being {{MetaInline|Wounded}} is serious because it will lower your maximum {{AP}} to 5, as well has having another random, undesirable effect.
#Do not build a {{MetaInline|Hovel}} during the first few days.
##This costs 6 {{AP}}, and may get you shunned, depending on how extreme your community happens to be. 
#Point people to the Die2Nite wiki.
##If you haven't noticed yet, it's a treasure trove of knowledge that everyone can benefit from.
#Get the whole town to use one of the external map applications.
##This will help you plan your scavenging routes easier, as it tells you how many zombies are in any zone and what items there are. Remember to update it whenever you go scavenging.
##The effects are much more significant when the whole town collaborates together to draw the map.

[[Category:Tutorials]]