Game-play of Town of Salem is split up into two phases, Day and Night. The day is then divided into several sub-phases: Discussion, Voting, Defense, Judgement, and Last Words. There is a special kind of the Night phase, called the Full Moon Night.
The Town will only go through the Defense (and subsequent Judgement and Last Words phases) if someone is put up for trial during the Voting phase. The town will only go through the Last Words phase if the person in question was deemed guilty by a majority vote.
"Standard modes" refers to all game types that are not Rapid Mode (Classic Mode, Custom Mode, Rainbow Mode, Dracula's Palace, and All Any).
| Phase | Time | Time (Rapid) |
|---|---|---|
| Day (Only on D1) | 15s | 15s |
| Discussion | 45s | 15s |
| Voting | 30s | 30s |
| Defense | 20s | 20s |
| Judgement | 20s | 20s |
| Last Words | 5s | 5s |
| Night | 30s | 15s |
Day
The total time of the Day phase in the standard modes will range from 75 to 721 seconds (1 minute and 15 seconds to 12 minutes and 1 second), while it will range from 45 to 691 seconds (3/4 of a minute to 11 minutes and 31 seconds) in Rapid Mode. This is not counting the transitions between the Day phases and the transition into the Night phase.
Discussion
The Discussion phase in the standard modes lasts 45 seconds, while only lasting 15 seconds in Rapid Mode.
This is the main phase of all modes, where the players get to discuss among themselves, reflecting on previous days and nights.
Voting
The Voting phase lasts 30 seconds in all modes.
During this phase, players can vote for others to send to trial. This, however, requires more than half (e.g. 8 of 14, 5 of 9) of the players to vote for a player.
Players can be put on trial 3 times in a day, after the 3rd trial, the day phase immediately ends.
If a player isn't sent to trial, the Day phase ends, and the game will transition into the Night phase.
Defense
The Defense phase lasts 20 seconds in all modes.
The town will only go through this phase if a player is voted up to trial during the Voting phase.
During this phase, the player in question gives a defense. Only this player can speak,(with the exception that the Town can whisper to each other) unless blackmailed by the Blackmailer. If they are blackmailed, then everything they say will pop up as "I am blackmailed." This may be used as a last resort if you are not ready to claim a role. A blackmailed player may only say "I am blackmailed." once during his defense.
Judgement
The Judgement phase lasts 20 seconds in all modes.
The town will only go through this phase if a player is voted up to trial during the Lynching phase.
During this phase, all players (besides the player voted up to trial) vote on whether or not the player is Guilty or Innocent. However, players don't have to vote, and in that case, Abstain from voting. Non-innocent voters must always beware of the Jester, as they get to choose a guilty voter or abstainer to kill.
Last Words
The Last Words phase lasts 5 seconds in all modes.
The town will only go through this phase if a player is voted up to trial during the Voting phase and is found Guilty by majority vote during the Judgement phase.
During this phase, the player in question gives the last statement ("Last Words", if you will) to the town before being killed by their Death Animation. Only this player can speak.
After the Last Will and role of the player is shown, the Day phase ends, and the game will transition into the Night phase.
Note that spamming, even in the Last Words phase, is still reportable and could get you banned. Refer to the Town of Salem Rules page for more info.
Night
The Night phase in the standard modes lasts 30 seconds, while only lasting 15 seconds in Rapid Mode. This is not counting the transition into the Day phase.
During this phase, players who have a night ability are given an opportunity to use it, excluding roles who have passive night abilities (e.g.,Medium). Additionally, Mafia and Vampires may speak to each other, Mediums may speak with anyone in the graveyard, and the Jailor may talk with their prisoner.
Full Moon
Every other night is considered to be a Full Moon night starting on Night 2, until Night 4 is reached, where every single night afterwards will be a Full Moon night. At this time the Werewolf transforms into his beast form and goes ravaging around the Town, killing every person in a house of their choice - the owner, as well as everyone who visits them. This can backfire if an Escort, Consort, Pirate or Jailor occupy their night, in which case, the Werewolf will be forced to stay home and attack them. If there are few players left alive, it is ill-advised to visit any player during these nights, as it may get you killed inadvertently. Also, the Juggernaut can only attack during a Full Moon night initially, after which it can attack every single night.