diff --git a/docsrc/warnings.rst b/docsrc/warnings.rst
index 5b0a79d5..fe99000e 100644
--- a/docsrc/warnings.rst
+++ b/docsrc/warnings.rst
@@ -32,7 +32,9 @@ Code Description
 312  Value of an argument is unused.
 313  Value of a loop variable is unused.
 314  Value of a field in a table literal is unused.
+315  Unused table field
 321  Accessing uninitialized local variable.
+325  Accessing unitialized table field
 331  Value assigned to a local variable is mutated but never accessed.
 341  Mutating uninitialized local variable.
 411  Redefining a local variable.
diff --git a/luacheck-dev-1.rockspec b/luacheck-dev-1.rockspec
index 0389dd14..e6d867b5 100644
--- a/luacheck-dev-1.rockspec
+++ b/luacheck-dev-1.rockspec
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ build = {
       ["luacheck.stages.detect_empty_blocks"] = "src/luacheck/stages/detect_empty_blocks.lua",
       ["luacheck.stages.detect_empty_statements"] = "src/luacheck/stages/detect_empty_statements.lua",
       ["luacheck.stages.detect_globals"] = "src/luacheck/stages/detect_globals.lua",
+      ["luacheck.stages.check_table_fields"] = "src/luacheck/stages/check_table_fields.lua",
       ["luacheck.stages.detect_reversed_fornum_loops"] = "src/luacheck/stages/detect_reversed_fornum_loops.lua",
       ["luacheck.stages.detect_unbalanced_assignments"] = "src/luacheck/stages/detect_unbalanced_assignments.lua",
       ["luacheck.stages.detect_uninit_accesses"] = "src/luacheck/stages/detect_uninit_accesses.lua",
diff --git a/spec/cli_spec.lua b/spec/cli_spec.lua
index 4ebb90aa..5ad9e3ed 100644
--- a/spec/cli_spec.lua
+++ b/spec/cli_spec.lua
@@ -296,32 +296,36 @@ Total: 5 warnings / 0 errors in 1 file
    end)
 
    it("raises critical errors on config without additional operators", function()
-      assert.equal([[Checking spec/samples/compound_operators.lua      4 errors
+      assert.equal([[Checking spec/samples/compound_operators.lua      1 warning / 4 errors
 
     spec/samples/compound_operators.lua:2:1: assignment uses compound operator +=
     spec/samples/compound_operators.lua:3:1: assignment uses compound operator -=
     spec/samples/compound_operators.lua:5:2: assignment uses compound operator /=
+    spec/samples/compound_operators.lua:9:3: value assigned to table field 't'.'a' is unused
     spec/samples/compound_operators.lua:10:1: assignment uses compound operator *=
 
-Total: 0 warnings / 4 errors in 1 file
+Total: 1 warning / 4 errors in 1 file
 ]], get_output "spec/samples/compound_operators.lua --no-config")
    end)
 
    it("raises critical errors for unfiltered additional operators", function()
-      assert.equal([[Checking spec/samples/compound_operators.lua      3 errors
+      assert.equal([[Checking spec/samples/compound_operators.lua      1 warning / 3 errors
 
     spec/samples/compound_operators.lua:3:1: assignment uses compound operator -=
     spec/samples/compound_operators.lua:5:2: assignment uses compound operator /=
+    spec/samples/compound_operators.lua:9:3: value assigned to table field 't'.'a' is unused
     spec/samples/compound_operators.lua:10:1: assignment uses compound operator *=
 
-Total: 0 warnings / 3 errors in 1 file
+Total: 1 warning / 3 errors in 1 file
 ]], get_output "spec/samples/compound_operators.lua --no-config --operators +=")
    end)
 
    it("allows to define allowed compound operators", function()
-      assert.equal([[Checking spec/samples/compound_operators.lua      OK
+      assert.equal([[Checking spec/samples/compound_operators.lua      1 warning
 
-Total: 0 warnings / 0 errors in 1 file
+    spec/samples/compound_operators.lua:9:3: value assigned to table field 't'.'a' is unused
+
+Total: 1 warning / 0 errors in 1 file
 ]], get_output "spec/samples/compound_operators.lua --config=spec/configs/compound_operators_config.luacheckrc")
    end)
 
@@ -768,18 +772,19 @@ Total: 8 warnings / 3 errors in 2 files
 
    it("shows correct ranges for files with utf8", function()
       assert.equal([[
-Checking spec/samples/utf8.lua                    4 warnings
+Checking spec/samples/utf8.lua                    5 warnings
 
     spec/samples/utf8.lua:2:1-4: setting undefined field '분야 명' of global 'math'
     spec/samples/utf8.lua:2:16-19: accessing undefined field '値' of global 'math'
     spec/samples/utf8.lua:3:25-25: unused variable 't'
     spec/samples/utf8.lua:4:5-28: value assigned to field 'päällekkäinen nimi a\u{200B}b' is overwritten on line 5 before use
+    spec/samples/utf8.lua:5:5-28: value assigned to table field 't'.'päällekkäinen nimi a​b' is unused
 
 Checking spec/samples/utf8_error.lua              1 error
 
     spec/samples/utf8_error.lua:2:11-11: expected statement near 'о'
 
-Total: 4 warnings / 1 error in 2 files
+Total: 5 warnings / 1 error in 2 files
 ]], get_output "spec/samples/utf8.lua spec/samples/utf8_error.lua --ranges --no-config")
    end)
 
@@ -1235,7 +1240,7 @@ Codes: true
             assert.equal(([[
 Checking spec/samples/argparse-0.2.0.lua          9 warnings
 Checking spec/samples/compat.lua                  4 warnings
-Checking spec/samples/compound_operators.lua      4 errors
+Checking spec/samples/compound_operators.lua      1 warning / 4 errors
 Checking spec/samples/custom_std_inline_options.lua 3 warnings / 1 error
 Checking spec/samples/global_inline_options.lua   3 warnings
 Checking spec/samples/globals.lua                 2 warnings
@@ -1250,10 +1255,10 @@ Checking spec/samples/redefined.lua               7 warnings
 Checking spec/samples/reversed_fornum.lua         1 warning
 Checking spec/samples/unused_code.lua             10 warnings
 Checking spec/samples/unused_secondaries.lua      4 warnings
-Checking spec/samples/utf8.lua                    4 warnings
+Checking spec/samples/utf8.lua                    5 warnings
 Checking spec/samples/utf8_error.lua              1 error
 
-Total: 75 warnings / 9 errors in 21 files
+Total: 77 warnings / 9 errors in 21 files
 ]]):gsub("(spec/samples)/", "%1"..package.config:sub(1, 1)),
             get_output "spec/samples --config=spec/configs/exclude_files_config.luacheckrc -qq --exclude-files spec/samples/global_fields.lua")
          end)
@@ -1262,7 +1267,7 @@ Total: 75 warnings / 9 errors in 21 files
             assert.equal([[
 Checking argparse-0.2.0.lua                       9 warnings
 Checking compat.lua                               4 warnings
-Checking compound_operators.lua                   4 errors
+Checking compound_operators.lua                   1 warning / 4 errors
 Checking custom_std_inline_options.lua            3 warnings / 1 error
 Checking global_inline_options.lua                3 warnings
 Checking globals.lua                              2 warnings
@@ -1277,10 +1282,10 @@ Checking redefined.lua                            7 warnings
 Checking reversed_fornum.lua                      1 warning
 Checking unused_code.lua                          10 warnings
 Checking unused_secondaries.lua                   4 warnings
-Checking utf8.lua                                 4 warnings
+Checking utf8.lua                                 5 warnings
 Checking utf8_error.lua                           1 error
 
-Total: 75 warnings / 9 errors in 21 files
+Total: 77 warnings / 9 errors in 21 files
 ]], get_output(". --config=spec/configs/exclude_files_config.luacheckrc -qq --exclude-files global_fields.lua", "spec/samples/"))
          end)
 
@@ -1288,7 +1293,7 @@ Total: 75 warnings / 9 errors in 21 files
             assert.equal([[
 Checking argparse-0.2.0.lua                       9 warnings
 Checking compat.lua                               4 warnings
-Checking compound_operators.lua                   4 errors
+Checking compound_operators.lua                   1 warning / 4 errors
 Checking custom_std_inline_options.lua            3 warnings / 1 error
 Checking global_inline_options.lua                3 warnings
 Checking globals.lua                              2 warnings
@@ -1301,10 +1306,10 @@ Checking redefined.lua                            7 warnings
 Checking reversed_fornum.lua                      1 warning
 Checking unused_code.lua                          10 warnings
 Checking unused_secondaries.lua                   4 warnings
-Checking utf8.lua                                 4 warnings
+Checking utf8.lua                                 5 warnings
 Checking utf8_error.lua                           1 error
 
-Total: 67 warnings / 9 errors in 19 files
+Total: 69 warnings / 9 errors in 19 files
 ]], get_output(". --config=spec/configs/exclude_files_config.luacheckrc -qq --exclude-files global_fields.lua --exclude-files " .. quote("./read*"), "spec/samples/"))
          end)
 
diff --git a/spec/table_field_limitations_spec.lua b/spec/table_field_limitations_spec.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c148e596
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/table_field_limitations_spec.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,184 @@
+local helper = require "spec.helper"
+
+local function assert_warnings(warnings, src)
+   assert.same(warnings, helper.get_stage_warnings("check_table_fields", src))
+end
+
+describe("table field todo tests", function()
+   it("does nothing for globals", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+x = {}
+x[1] = 1
+x[2] = x.y
+x[1] = 1
+
+y[1] = 1
+y[2] = x.y
+y[1] = 1
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("can't parse complicated values out", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local val = nil
+local t = {}
+t[1] = val
+print(t[1])
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("does nothing for nested tables", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local x = {}
+x[1] = {}
+x[1][1] = 1
+x[1][1] = x[1][2]
+return x
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   -- Because of possible multiple return
+   it("assumes tables initialized from functions can have arbitrary keys set", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 3, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+      }, [[
+local function func() return 1 end
+local x = {func()}
+x.y = x[2]
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("does nothing for table parameters that aren't declared in scope", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+function func(x)
+   x[1] = x.z
+   x[1] = 1
+end
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("doesn't handle metatables", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local x = setmetatable({}, {})
+x[1] = 1
+print(x[2])
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("detects unused and undefined table fields inside control blocks, but not between them", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {line = 4, column = 13, name = 'x', end_column = 13, field = 'z', code = '325', },
+         {line = 10, column = 13, name = 'x', end_column = 13, field = 'z', code = '325', },
+         {line = 16, column = 13, name = 'x', end_column = 13, field = 'z', code = '325', },
+         {line = 22, column = 13, name = 'x', end_column = 13, field = 'z', code = '325', },
+         {line = 28, column = 13, name = 'x', end_column = 13, field = 'z', code = '325', },
+         {line = 34, column = 13, name = 'x', end_column = 13, field = 'z', code = '325', },
+      }, [[
+do
+   local x = {}
+   x.y = 1
+   x[1] = x.z
+end
+
+if true then
+   local x = {}
+   x.y = 1
+   x[1] = x.z
+end
+
+while true do
+   local x = {}
+   x.y = 1
+   x[1] = x.z
+end
+
+repeat
+   local x = {}
+   x.y = 1
+   x[1] = x.z
+until false
+
+for i=1,2 do
+   local x = {}
+   x.y = 1
+   x[1] = x.z
+end
+
+for _,_ in pairs({}) do
+   local x = {}
+   x.y = 1
+   x[1] = x.z
+end
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("stops checking referenced upvalues if function call is known to not have table as an upvalue", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local x = {}
+x[1] = 1
+local function printx() x = 1 end
+local function ret2() return 2 end
+ret2()
+x[1] = 1
+
+local y = {}
+y[1] = 1
+function y.printx() y = 1 end
+function y.ret2() return 2 end
+y.ret2()
+y[1] = 1
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("halts checking at the end of control flow blocks with jumps", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local x = {1}
+if math.rand(0,1) ~= 1 then
+   x = {}
+end
+
+x[1] = x[1]
+
+local y = {1}
+if math.random(0,1) == 1 then
+   y[1] = 2
+else
+   y = {}
+end
+
+y[1] = y[1]
+
+local a = {1}
+while math.random(0,1) == 1 do
+   a = {}
+end
+
+a[1] = a[1]
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("stops checking if a function is called", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {line = 8, column = 3, name = 'y', end_column = 3, field = 'x', code = '315', set_is_nil = '' },
+         {line = 8, column = 9, name = 'y', end_column = 9, field = 'a', code = '325', },
+         {line = 14, column = 9, name = 't', end_column = 9, field = 'a', code = '325', },
+      }, [[
+local x = {}
+x.y = 1
+print("Unrelated text")
+x.y = 2
+x[1] = x.z
+
+local y = {}
+y.x = y.a
+y.x = 1
+function y:func() return 1 end
+y:func()
+
+local t = {}
+t.x = t.a
+local var = 'func'
+t.x = y[var]() + 1
+      ]])
+   end)
+end)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/spec/table_fields_spec.lua b/spec/table_fields_spec.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..250dc00f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/table_fields_spec.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,438 @@
+local helper = require "spec.helper"
+
+local function assert_warnings(warnings, src)
+   assert.same(warnings, helper.get_stage_warnings("check_table_fields", src))
+end
+
+describe("table field checks", function()
+   it("detects unused and undefined table fields", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 2, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 3, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 4, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 1, set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "325", line = 4, column = 10, end_column = 10, name = 'x', field = 'z'},
+         {code = "325", line = 5, column = 9, end_column = 9, name = 'x', field = 'a'},
+         {code = "315", line = 6, column = 12, end_column = 15, name = 'x', field = 'func', set_is_nil = ''},
+      }, [[
+local x = {}
+x.y = 1
+x.y = 2
+x[1] = x.z
+x.a = x.a
+function x.func() end
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("detects complicated unused and undefined table fields", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {line = 4, column = 11, name = 't', end_column = 11, field = 'b', code = '325', },
+         {line = 10, column = 3, name = 'a', end_column = 3, field = 1, code = '315', set_is_nil = '' },
+      }, [[
+local x = {1}
+local t = {}
+t.a = 1
+t.x = x[t.b]
+x[t.a + 1] = x[t.x]
+
+local b = {}
+b[1] = 1
+local a = {}
+a[1] = {}
+a[1][1] = 1
+a[2] = {}
+a[1][b[1] + 1] = a[2][1]
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles upvalue references after definition", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local x = {}
+x.y = 1
+function x.func() print(x) end
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles upvalue references before definition", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local x
+function func() print(x[1]) end
+x = {1}
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles upvalues references in returned functions", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+function inner()
+   local x = {1}
+   return function() print(x[1]) end
+end
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles upvalue mutations", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 2, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 3, column = 12, end_column = 15, name = 'x', field = 'func', set_is_nil = ''},
+      }, [[
+local x = {}
+x.y = 1
+function x.func() x.z = 1 end
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles upvalue sets", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 2, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 3, column = 12, end_column = 15, name = 'x', field = 'func', set_is_nil = ''},
+      }, [[
+local x = {}
+x.y = 1
+function x.func() x = 1 end
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles complicated upvalue mutations", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local x = {}
+x[1] = {}
+x[1][1] = function() x[1][1] = 2 end
+x[1][1]()
+print(x[1][1])
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   -- Handled separately, in detect_unused_fields
+   it("doesn't warn on duplicate keys in initialization", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local x = {key = 1, key = 1}
+local y = {1, [1] = 1}
+return x,y
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("doesn't warn on overwritten nil-sets in constructor", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local t = {key = nil}
+t.key = 1
+return t
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("doesn't warn on unused fields of parameters", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local function func(x)
+   x = {1}
+end
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles table assignments", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+function new_scope()
+   local c = {1}
+   return {key = c}
+end
+
+function new_scope2()
+   local t = {}
+   t[1] = 1
+   return { [t[1] ] = 1}
+end
+
+local x = {1}
+local y = {x}
+local b = {key = y}
+local a = {1}
+a[b or x] = 1
+local d = {[a] = 1}
+return {d} or {d}
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("accounts for returned tables", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 6, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 't', field = 'x', set_is_nil = ''},
+      }, [[
+local x = {}
+x[1] = 1
+x.y = 1
+local t = {}
+t.y = 1
+t.x = 1
+return x, t.y
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles nested indexes correctly", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 3, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'z', set_is_nil = ''},
+      }, [[
+local x = {}
+x.y = {}
+x.z = {}
+return x.y.z
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles initialized tables", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 1, column = 12, end_column = 12, name = 'x', field = 1, set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 1, column = 15, end_column = 15, name = 'x', field = 2, set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 1, column = 18, end_column = 18, name = 'x', field = 'a', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 2, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 1, set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "325", line = 2, column = 10, end_column = 10, name = 'x', field = 'z'},
+         {code = "315", line = 3, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''}
+      }, [[
+local x = {1, 2, a = 3}
+x[1] = x.z
+x.y = 1
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles tables that are upvalues", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "325", line = 5, column = 13, end_column = 13, name = 'x', field = 'a'},
+      }, [[
+local x
+
+function func()
+   x = {}
+   x[1] = x.a
+end
+
+local t
+
+print(function()
+   t = {t.a}
+end)
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles table assignments to existing local variables", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 3, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 6, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'y', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 8, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'y', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+      }, [[
+local x
+x = {}
+x.y = 1
+
+local y = {}
+y.y = 1
+y = {}
+y.y = 1
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles nil sets correctly", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {line = 2, column = 3, name = 'x', end_column = 3, field = 'y', code = '315', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {line = 3, column = 3, name = 'x', end_column = 3, field = 'y', code = '315', set_is_nil = 'nil '},
+         {line = 5, column = 3, name = 'x', end_column = 3, field = 'z', code = '315', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {line = 5, column = 9, name = 'x', end_column = 9, field = 'y', code = '325', },
+         {line = 6, column = 3, name = 'x', end_column = 3, field = 'y', code = '315', set_is_nil = ''},
+      }, [[
+local x = {}
+x.y = 1
+x.y = nil
+x.y = nil
+x.z = x.y
+x.y = 1
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles balanced multiple assignment correctly", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "325", line = 2, column = 22, end_column = 22, name = 't', field = 'b'},
+         {code = "325", line = 3, column = 20, end_column = 20, name = 't', field = 'z'}
+      }, [[
+local t = {}
+t.x, t.y, t.z = 1, t.b
+return t.x, t.y, t.z
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles multiple assignment of tables", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 3, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'a', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "325", line = 4, column = 10, end_column = 10, name = 'b', field = 'c'},
+      }, [[
+local x,y = {}, {}
+local a,b = {}, {}
+x.a = 1
+return b.c
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles imbalanced multiple assignment correctly", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 2, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 't', field = 'x', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "325", line = 3, column = 10, end_column = 10, name = 't', field = 'y'},
+      }, [[
+local t = {}
+t.x, t.y = 1
+return t.y
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("tables used as keys create a reference to them", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local t = {}
+local y = {1}
+t[y or 3] = 1
+return t
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("understands the difference between string and number keys", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 2, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 't', field = 1, set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 3, column = 3, end_column = 5, name = 't', field = '2', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "325", line = 3, column = 12, end_column = 14, name = 't', field = '1'},
+      }, [[
+local t = {}
+t[1] = 1
+t["2"] = t["1"]
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("continues checking if the table variable itself is accessed without creating a reference", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 2, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 5, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''}
+      }, [[
+local x = {}
+x.y = 1
+local t = {1}
+t[1] = t[x]
+x.y = 1
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("warns on non-atomic key access to an entirely empty table", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "325", line = 3, column = 11, end_column = 13, name = 't2', field = '[Non-atomic key]'},
+         {code = "325", line = 4, column = 11, end_column = 11, name = 't2', field = 't'},
+      }, [[
+local t = {}
+local t2 = {}
+t[1] = t2[1+1]
+t[2] = t2[t]
+return t
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles aliases correctly", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 2, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 1, set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "325", line = 2, column = 10, end_column = 10, name = 'x', field = 'z'},
+         {code = "315", line = 3, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 6, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 't', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 7, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 't', field = 1, set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "325", line = 7, column = 10, end_column = 10, name = 't', field = 'z'},
+      }, [[
+local x = {}
+x[1] = x.z
+x.y = 1
+x.x = 1
+local t = x
+t.y = 1
+t[1] = t.z
+t = t
+x = t
+return t.x
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("an alias being overwritten doesn't end processing for the other aliases", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 5, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 1, set_is_nil = ''},
+      }, [[
+local x = {}
+local t = x
+t[2] = 2
+t = 1
+x[1] = 1
+x[1] = 1
+return x, t
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("any alias being externally referenced blocks unused warnings", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local t
+function inner()
+   local x = {1}
+   t = x
+end
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("handles rhs/lhs order correctly", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "325", line = 5, column = 10, end_column = 10, name = 'x', field = 3},
+      }, [[
+local x = {}
+x[1] = 1
+x[2] = 2
+x[1], x[2] = x[2], x[1]
+x[3] = x[3]
+
+local t = {}
+t[1] = 1
+t[t[1] ] = 2
+return x, t
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("assumes that tables initialized from varargs can have arbitary keys set", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 2, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+      }, [[
+local x = {...}
+x.y = x[2]
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("catches unused writes after a non-atomic access", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 6, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 10, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'a', field = 'y', set_is_nil = ''},
+      }, [[
+local var = 1
+
+local x = {1}
+local t = {}
+t[1] = x[var]
+x.y = 1
+
+local a = {1}
+t[2] = a[1 + 1]
+a.y = 1
+return t
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("accesses are not forever", function()
+      assert_warnings({
+         {code = "315", line = 3, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 2, set_is_nil = ''},
+         {code = "315", line = 4, column = 3, end_column = 3, name = 'x', field = 1, set_is_nil = ''},
+      }, [[
+local x = {}
+x[1] = 1
+x[2] = x[1]
+x[1] = 1
+      ]])
+   end)
+
+   it("more complicated function calls", function()
+      assert_warnings({}, [[
+local t = {}
+function t.func(var) print(var) end
+local x = {}
+x.y = 1
+t.func(x)
+      ]])
+   end)
+end)
diff --git a/spec/unused_locals_spec.lua b/spec/unused_locals_spec.lua
index 383e26d6..30c6e5ab 100644
--- a/spec/unused_locals_spec.lua
+++ b/spec/unused_locals_spec.lua
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ return a
    end)
 end)
 
-describe("unused recurisve function detection", function()
+describe("unused recursive function detection", function()
    it("detects unused recursive functions", function()
       assert_warnings({
          {code = "211", name = "f", func = true, recursive = true, line = 1, column = 16, end_column = 16}
diff --git a/src/luacheck/profiler.lua b/src/luacheck/profiler.lua
index 37104a79..677da2c3 100644
--- a/src/luacheck/profiler.lua
+++ b/src/luacheck/profiler.lua
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ local functions = {
    {name = "run", module = "stages.detect_unused_fields"},
    {name = "run", module = "stages.detect_unused_locals"},
    {name = "filter", module = "filter"},
-   {name = "normalize", module = "options"}
+   {name = "normalize", module = "options"},
+   {name = "run", module = "stages.check_table_fields"},
 }
 
 local stats = {}
diff --git a/src/luacheck/stages/check_table_fields.lua b/src/luacheck/stages/check_table_fields.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..630c3740
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/luacheck/stages/check_table_fields.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,491 @@
+local utils = require "luacheck.utils"
+
+local stage = {}
+
+stage.warnings = {
+   ["315"] = {
+      message_format = "{set_is_nil}value assigned to table field {name!}.{field!} is unused",
+      fields = {"set_is_nil", "name", "field"}
+   },
+   ["325"] = {message_format = "table field {name!}.{field!} is not defined", fields = {"name", "field"}},
+}
+
+local function_call_tags = utils.array_to_set({"Call", "Invoke"})
+
+local ClosureState = utils.class()
+
+function ClosureState:__init(chstate)
+   self.chstate = chstate
+
+   -- Map from table name => table info. See new_local_table for the format.
+   self.current_tables = {}
+
+   -- externally reference variable means that its fields could potentially all
+   -- be referenced externally
+   self.external_references_accessed = {}
+
+   self.max_item = 0
+
+   -- Luacheck's linearized item format doesn't explicitly have a node for the "end" tag
+   -- This tracks where end tags would be, so that we can stop tracking
+   -- This pattern won't be workable if this eventually gets extended to support control flow
+   self.jump_destinations = {}
+end
+
+-- Start keeping track of a local table
+-- Can be from local x = {} OR "local x; x = {}"
+function ClosureState:new_local_table(table_name)
+   self.current_tables[table_name] = {
+      -- set_keys sets store a mapping from key => {table_name, key_node, value_node}
+      -- the nodes store the line/column info
+      set_keys = {},
+      -- accessed keys is a mappings from key => key_node
+      accessed_keys = {},
+      -- For a variable key, it's impossible to reliably get the value; any given key could be set or accessed
+      -- potentially_all_* is set to the node responsible when truthy
+      potentially_all_set = nil,
+      potentially_all_accessed = nil,
+      -- Multiple variable names that point at the same underlying table
+      -- e.g. local x = {}; local t = x
+      aliases = {[table_name] = true},
+   }
+end
+
+-- Called when a table's field's value is no longer accessible
+-- Either the table is gone, or the field has been overwritten
+-- Table info can be different from the value of current_tables[table_name]
+-- In the case that the original table was removed but an alias is still relevant
+function ClosureState:maybe_warn_unused(table_info, key, set_data)
+   local set_table_name, set_node, assigned_val = set_data.table_name, set_data.key_node, set_data.assigned_node
+   local access_node = table_info.accessed_keys[key]
+   local all_access_node = table_info.potentially_all_accessed
+   -- Warn if there were definitely no accesses for this value
+   if (not access_node or access_node.line < set_node.line)
+      and (not all_access_node or all_access_node.line < set_node.line)
+   then
+      local original_key = set_node.tag == "Number" and tonumber(set_node[1]) or set_node[1]
+      self.chstate:warn_range("315", set_node, {
+         name = set_table_name,
+         field = original_key,
+         set_is_nil = assigned_val.tag == "Nil" and "nil " or ""
+      })
+   end
+end
+
+-- Called on accessing a table's field
+function ClosureState:maybe_warn_undefined(table_name, key, range)
+   local table_info = self.current_tables[table_name]
+   -- Warn if the field is definitely not set
+   local set_data = table_info.set_keys[key]
+   local set_node, set_val
+   if set_data then
+      set_node, set_val = set_data.key_node, set_data.assigned_node
+   end
+   local all_set = table_info.potentially_all_set
+   if (not set_data and not all_set)
+      or (set_data and set_val.tag == "Nil" and (not all_set or set_node.line > all_set.line))
+   then
+      self.chstate:warn_range("325", range, {
+         name = table_name,
+         field = key
+      })
+   end
+end
+
+-- Called on accessing a table's field with an unknown (variable or otherwise indecipherable) key
+-- Can only warn if the table is known to be empty
+function ClosureState:maybe_warn_undefined_var_key(table_name, var_key_name, range)
+   local table_info = self.current_tables[table_name]
+   -- Are there any non-nil keys at all?
+   if table_info.potentially_all_set then
+      return
+   end
+   for _, set_data in pairs(table_info.set_keys) do
+      if set_data.assigned_node.tag ~= "Nil" then
+         return
+      end
+   end
+
+   self.chstate:warn_range("325", range, {
+      name = table_name,
+      field = var_key_name
+   })
+end
+
+-- Called when setting a new key for a known local table
+function ClosureState:set_key(table_name, key_node, assigned_val, in_init)
+   local table_info = self.current_tables[table_name]
+   -- Constant key
+   if key_node.tag == "Number" or key_node.tag == "String" then
+      -- Don't warn about unused nil initializations
+      -- Fairly common to declare that a table should end up with fields set
+      -- by setting them to nil in the constructor
+      if in_init and assigned_val.tag == "Nil" then
+         return
+      end
+      local key = key_node[1]
+      if key_node.tag == "Number" then
+         key = tonumber(key)
+      end
+      -- Don't report duplicate keys in the init; other module handles that
+      if table_info.set_keys[key] and not in_init then
+         self:maybe_warn_unused(table_info, key, table_info.set_keys[key])
+      end
+      -- Do note: just because a table's key has a value in set_keys doesn't
+      -- mean that it's not nil! variables, function returns, table indexes,
+      -- nil itself, and complex boolean conditions can return nil
+      -- set_keys tracks *specifically* the set itself, not whether the table's
+      -- field is non-nil
+      table_info.set_keys[key] = {
+         table_name = table_name,
+         key_node = key_node,
+         assigned_node = assigned_val
+      }
+   else
+      -- variable key
+      if assigned_val.tag ~= "Nil" then
+         table_info.potentially_all_set = key_node
+      end
+   end
+end
+
+-- Called when indexing into a known local table
+function ClosureState:access_key(table_name, key_node)
+   if key_node.tag == "Number" or key_node.tag == "String" then
+      local key = key_node[1]
+      if key_node.tag == "Number" then
+         key = tonumber(key)
+      end
+      self:maybe_warn_undefined(table_name, key, key_node)
+      self.current_tables[table_name].accessed_keys[key] = key_node
+   else
+      -- variable key
+      local var_key_name = key_node.var and key_node.var.name or "[Non-atomic key]"
+      self:maybe_warn_undefined_var_key(table_name, var_key_name, key_node)
+      self.current_tables[table_name].potentially_all_accessed = key_node
+   end
+end
+
+-- Stop trying to track a table
+-- We stop when:
+-- * the variable is overwritten entirely
+-- * the variable's scope ends
+-- * we hit something that leaves us unable to usefully process
+function ClosureState:wipe_table_data(table_name)
+   local info_table = self.current_tables[table_name]
+   for alias in pairs(info_table.aliases) do
+      self.current_tables[alias] = nil
+   end
+end
+
+-- Called when a table variable is no longer accessible
+-- i.e. the scope has ended or the variable has been overwritten
+function ClosureState:end_table_variable(table_name)
+   local table_info = self.current_tables[table_name]
+   table_info.aliases[table_name] = nil
+
+   if next(table_info.aliases) == nil then
+      for key, set_data in pairs(table_info.set_keys) do
+         self:maybe_warn_unused(table_info, key, set_data)
+      end
+   end
+
+   self.current_tables[table_name] = nil
+end
+
+-- Called on a new scope, including from a function call
+-- Unlike end_table_variable, this assumes that any and all existing tables values
+-- Can potentially be accessed later on, and so doesn't warn about unused values
+function ClosureState:stop_tracking_tables()
+   for table_name in pairs(self.current_tables) do
+      self:wipe_table_data(table_name)
+   end
+end
+
+function ClosureState:on_scope_end_for_var(table_name)
+   local table_info = self.current_tables[table_name]
+   local has_external_references = false
+   for alias in pairs(table_info.aliases) do
+      if self.external_references_accessed[alias] then
+         has_external_references = true
+      end
+   end
+   if has_external_references then
+      self:wipe_table_data(table_name)
+   else
+      self:end_table_variable(table_name)
+   end
+end
+
+function ClosureState:on_scope_end()
+   for table_name in pairs(self.current_tables) do
+      self:on_scope_end_for_var(table_name)
+   end
+end
+
+-- A function call leaves the current scope, and does potentially arbitrary modifications
+-- To any externally referencable tables: either upvalues to other functions
+-- Or parameters
+function ClosureState:check_for_function_calls(node)
+   if node.tag ~= "Function" then
+      if function_call_tags[node.tag] then
+         self:stop_tracking_tables(node)
+         return true
+      end
+
+      for _, sub_node in ipairs(node) do
+         if type(sub_node) == "table" then
+            if self:check_for_function_calls(sub_node) then
+               return true
+            end
+         end
+      end
+   end
+end
+
+-- Records accesses to a specific key in a table
+function ClosureState:record_field_accesses(node)
+   if node.tag ~= "Function" then
+      if node.tag == "Index" and node[1] then
+         local sub_node = node[1]
+         if sub_node.var and self.current_tables[sub_node.var.name] then
+            self:access_key(sub_node.var.name, node[2])
+         end
+      end
+      for _, sub_node in ipairs(node) do
+         if type(sub_node) == "table" then
+            self:record_field_accesses(sub_node)
+         end
+      end
+   end
+end
+
+-- Records accesses to the table as a whole, i.e. for table x, either t[x] = val or x = t
+-- For the former, we stop tracking the table; for the latter, we mark x and t down as aliases if x is a local
+-- For existing table t, in "local x = t", x is passed in as the aliased node
+function ClosureState:record_table_accesses(node, aliased_node)
+   -- t[x or y] = val; x = t1 or t2
+   if node[1] == "and" or node[1] == "or" then
+      for _, sub_node in ipairs(node) do
+         if type(sub_node) == "table" then
+            self:record_table_accesses(sub_node)
+         end
+      end
+   end
+
+   -- t[{x}] = val; t = {x}; t = {[x] = val}; all keep x alive
+   if node.tag == "Table" then
+      for _, sub_node in ipairs(node) do
+         if sub_node.tag == "Pair" then
+            local key_node, val_node = sub_node[1], sub_node[2]
+            self:record_table_accesses(key_node)
+            self:record_table_accesses(val_node)
+         elseif sub_node.tag ~= "Nil" then
+            self:record_table_accesses(sub_node)
+         end
+      end
+   end
+
+   local alias_info = nil
+   if node.var and self.current_tables[node.var.name] then
+      -- $lhs = $tracked_table
+      if aliased_node and aliased_node.var then
+         alias_info = {aliased_node.var.name, node.var.name}
+      else
+         -- assigned to a global; cannot usefully process
+         self:wipe_table_data(node.var.name)
+      end
+   end
+
+   return alias_info
+end
+
+-- Detects accesses to tables and table fields in item
+-- For the case local $var = $existing table, returns a table
+-- of multiple assignment index => {newly_set_var_name, existing_table_name}
+function ClosureState:detect_accesses(sub_nodes, potential_aliases)
+   local alias_info = {}
+   for node_index, node in ipairs(sub_nodes) do
+      self:record_field_accesses(node)
+      alias_info[node_index] = self:record_table_accesses(node, potential_aliases and potential_aliases[node_index])
+   end
+   return alias_info
+end
+
+function ClosureState:handle_control_flow_item(item)
+   -- return gets linearized as a return control flow node followed by
+   -- an eval node of what got returned, followed by a jump
+   -- We want to defer the scope end processing until the jump so that
+   -- any accessed in the eval get processed
+   if not item.node or item.node.tag ~= "Return" then
+      self:stop_tracking_tables()
+   end
+end
+
+function ClosureState:handle_local_or_set_item(item)
+   self:check_for_function_calls(item.node)
+
+   -- Process RHS first, then LHS
+   -- When creating an alias, i.e. $new_var = $existing_var, need to store that info
+   -- and record it during LHS processing
+   local alias_info = {}
+   if item.rhs then
+      alias_info = self:detect_accesses(item.rhs, item.lhs)
+   end
+
+   -- For imbalanced assignment with possible multiple return function
+   local last_rhs_node = false
+   for index, lhs_node in ipairs(item.lhs) do
+      local rhs_node = item.rhs and item.rhs[index]
+      if not rhs_node then
+         if last_rhs_node and function_call_tags[last_rhs_node.tag] then
+            rhs_node = last_rhs_node
+         else
+            -- Duck typing seems bad?
+            rhs_node = {
+               tag = "Nil"
+            }
+         end
+      else
+         last_rhs_node = rhs_node
+      end
+
+      -- Case: $existing_table[key] = value
+      if lhs_node.tag == "Index" then
+         local base_node, key_node = lhs_node[1], lhs_node[2]
+
+         -- Case: $var[$existing_table[key]] = value
+         -- Need to pass in a new array rather than using lhs_node, because that would
+         -- mark the base *set* as also being an access
+         self:detect_accesses({key_node})
+
+         -- Deliberately don't continue down indexes- $table[key1][key2] isn't a new set of key1
+         if base_node.tag == "Id" then
+            -- Might not have a var if it's a global
+            local lhs_table_name = base_node.var and base_node.var.name
+            if self.current_tables[lhs_table_name] then
+               self:set_key(lhs_table_name, key_node, rhs_node, false)
+            end
+         end
+      end
+
+      if alias_info[index] then
+         local new_var_name, existing_var_name = alias_info[index][1], alias_info[index][2]
+         self.current_tables[new_var_name] = self.current_tables[existing_var_name]
+         self.current_tables[new_var_name].aliases[new_var_name] = true
+      end
+
+      -- Case: $existing_table = new_value
+      -- Complete overwrite of previous value
+      if lhs_node.var and self.current_tables[lhs_node.var.name] then
+         -- $existing_table = $existing_table should do nothing
+         if not (rhs_node.var
+            and self.current_tables[rhs_node.var.name] == self.current_tables[lhs_node.var.name])
+         then
+            self:end_table_variable(lhs_node.var.name)
+         end
+      end
+
+      -- Case: local $table = {} or local $table; $table = {}
+      -- New table assignment
+      if lhs_node.var and rhs_node.tag == "Table" then
+         local table_var = lhs_node.var
+         self:new_local_table(table_var.name)
+         for initialization_index, node in ipairs(rhs_node) do
+            if node.tag == "Pair" then
+               local key_node, val_node = node[1], node[2]
+               self:set_key(table_var.name, key_node, val_node, true)
+            elseif node.tag == "Dots" or node.tag == "Call" then
+               -- Vararg can expand to arbitrary size;
+               -- Function calls can return multiple values
+               self.current_tables[table_var.name].potentially_all_set = node
+               break
+            elseif node.tag ~= "Nil" then
+               -- Duck typing, meh
+               local key_node = {
+                  [1] = initialization_index,
+                  tag = "Number",
+                  line = node.line,
+                  offset = node.offset,
+                  end_offset = node.end_offset
+               }
+               self:set_key(table_var.name, key_node, node, true)
+            end
+         end
+      end
+   end
+end
+
+function ClosureState:handle_eval(item)
+   self:check_for_function_calls(item.node)
+   self:detect_accesses({item.node})
+end
+
+function ClosureState:handle_jump(item)
+   self.jump_destinations[item.to] = true
+   if item.to > self.max_item then
+      -- return; see comment under handle_control_flow_item
+      self:on_scope_end()
+   else
+      self:stop_tracking_tables()
+   end
+end
+
+local item_callbacks = {
+   Noop = ClosureState.handle_control_flow_item,
+   Jump = ClosureState.handle_jump,
+   Cjump = ClosureState.handle_jump,
+   Eval = ClosureState.handle_eval,
+   Local = ClosureState.handle_local_or_set_item,
+   Set = ClosureState.handle_local_or_set_item,
+   OpSet = ClosureState.handle_local_or_set_item,
+}
+
+-- Steps through the closure one item at a time
+-- At each point, tracking for each local table which fields have been set
+local function detect_unused_table_fields(closure, check_state)
+   local closure_state = ClosureState(check_state)
+
+   local args = closure.node[1]
+   for _, parameter in ipairs(args) do
+      closure_state.external_references_accessed[parameter.var.name] = true
+   end
+
+   -- Only need to check set_upvalues because we only track newly set tables
+   -- Inside the current scope
+   for var in pairs(closure.set_upvalues) do
+      closure_state.external_references_accessed[var.name] = true
+   end
+
+   closure_state.max_item = #closure.items
+
+   for item_index = 1, #closure.items do
+      if closure_state.jump_destinations[item_index] then
+         closure_state:stop_tracking_tables()
+      end
+      -- Function declaration: function could potentially survive this scope
+      -- Preserving a reference to its upvalues
+      local item = closure.items[item_index]
+      if item.lines then
+         for _,func_scope in pairs(item.lines) do
+            for var in pairs(func_scope.accessed_upvalues) do
+               closure_state.external_references_accessed[var.name] = true
+            end
+         end
+      end
+      item_callbacks[item.tag](closure_state, item)
+   end
+
+   -- Handle implicit return
+   closure_state:on_scope_end()
+end
+
+-- Warns about table fields that are never accessed
+-- VERY high false-negative rate, deliberately in order to minimize the false-positive rate
+function stage.run(check_state)
+   for _, closure in ipairs(check_state.lines) do
+      detect_unused_table_fields(closure, check_state)
+   end
+end
+
+return stage
diff --git a/src/luacheck/stages/init.lua b/src/luacheck/stages/init.lua
index d8588785..acb376c9 100644
--- a/src/luacheck/stages/init.lua
+++ b/src/luacheck/stages/init.lua
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ stages.names = {
    "parse_inline_options",
    "name_functions",
    "resolve_locals",
+   "check_table_fields",
    "detect_bad_whitespace",
    "detect_compound_operators",
    "detect_cyclomatic_complexity",