November Reward - Pre-Release Bonus Puzzles

Shawn Kiewel

Correct

Steven de Rooij

So the diagonal clue for 5 cells might be 19 and the cells would be 1, 8, 6, 3, 1, for example? And then the X would be satisfied by the 6, 3, 1 region of the diagonal?

Shawn Kiewel

There can still be only one X region, as the X region is now defined (for just puzzle) as being limited to 4 cells. So even if there were a diagonal with two sections that add to 10 (looking at you 19....), there is still only one x region, as the 2nd 10 is five cells long.

Tran Hieu

That means there can be more than one X regions in one diagonal?

Shawn Kiewel

Yes, they are described more explicitly in the main pack, with pic for examples. We didn't anticipate the bonus being released before the main pack. The LXKs sum the entire diagonal, shaded or not; there just happens to be exactly one region of cells that are touching along that diagonal that sum to 10.

I'm really enjoying this type of puzzle, but I don't quite understand the "X regions" rules/term. Are those just the sums along diagonals? Are the diagonal sums in "Don't Get Stung" for shaded regions, as well, or are those the sums of ALL cells in each diagonal? Presumably this will make more sense in the complete pack, where they're described explicitly.

Shawn Kiewel

Did you overlook the magic square, like everybody else (meaning you're not alone)?

I am getting multiple solutions to the last puzzle. I have completed the picture uniquely but the remaining non-coloured squares appear not to be uniquely solvable. Is this intended or have I missed something?

Shawn Kiewel

Rules patch to make Eclipse work (note this rule applies only to Eclipse!): X regions may not span more than 4 cells.

Shawn Kiewel

if you hop on discord, i'd be happy to help you get started. i admit, i too found this puzzle hard, which is why we put it in the bonus pack.

Jon Forsythe

Assuming I'm doing the rules correctly, I cannot shade these regions so that they equal the clues. I solved the 3rd puzzle in the pdf, but this 5x5 puzzle appears impossible. I cannot be more explicit without spoiling the puzzle for others on patreon.

Shawn Kiewel

theasylm here again. I need to apologize and announce that it turns out bonus puzzle 4 is broken. the 19 diagonal has two x regions on it. I've done it so many times and never noticed, but one of you very clever folks did. I am so sorry none of our testing found this problem.

Not gonna lie. This puzzle pack sounds fantastic and terrifying all at the same time. I love it!

You are correct that there is a (4,6), 15,12,11, and 13 clues. Why does that make the puzzle impossible?

Jon Forsythe

Am I just not understanding Japanese sum sudokus or is the wave puzzle impossible? I assume the 46 is 4, 6, and not the total forty-six, but the rest of the double number clues appear to be 15, 12, 11, 13.

Shawn Kiewel

theasylm here. Panthera and I have decided to offer an advanced degree to anyone who can solve the final puzzle in the bonus pack. pm me a pic on the discord server and I'll get you your degree!

Richard Breen

Ah, ok. That makes sense - thanks Shawn.

Shawn Kiewel

It's explained more clearly in the main doc (because pics), but what that means is that, starting from one end and going up or down along the diagonal, there will be a set of cells of the diagonal that are "touching" (corner-to-corner) that will add to 10. And there is exactly one of these regions on each little X killer.

Richard Breen

Thanks for the excellent extra content! I am a little confused by the explanation of the "little X killer clues" in the second puzzle ("Don't get stung"). Is someone able to provide clarification on what "adjacent region of the diagonal" means? Thanks.