# Why unknown values belong in a WARDOGS database

An empty value can be useful information. In a WARDOGS reference database, a clearly marked unknown tells readers that a detail has not been established. A guessed value looks more complete but can quietly mislead every comparison built on top of it.

Keep the status separate from the value: confirmed, reported, or unresolved. If a figure comes from an observation, preserve the circumstances and explain what was measured. Do not convert a visual estimate into a precise statistic just because a table expects a number.

[WARDOGS Fieldguide](https://wardogsgame.net/) is an independent fan-run reference using sourced guides and evidence-graded entries. It is not an official publisher resource. Its context is useful when deciding which details can support a comparison and which should remain open questions.

When reviewing a database, look for unsupported precision before looking for missing cells. A smaller set of well-supported facts is easier to maintain and safer to reuse. Add new values when evidence becomes available, and keep the citation close enough that another reader can check it.