Vampire Polonaise
(Published on 26. October 2024, 17:58 by gdc)
This is my response to a isamooks prompt which was to create a puzzle with the vampires ruleset by damasosos. Thanks to the testers. Hope you enjoy!
Image created with devianart (AI): source
- Normal sudoku rules apply.
- Loop: Draw a one cell wide loop of orthogonally connected cells. The loop may touch itself diagonally, but not orthogonally.
- Vampires/Prey/Targets: Digits on the loop act as vampire cells and digits not on the loop act a prey cells. Each vampire cell has at least one orthogonally adjacent prey cell and targets one of those prey cells.
- Values: The value of a vampire cell is its digit plus one. The value of a prey cell is it digit minus the number of vampires that target it.
- Killer: Values in a cage sum to the total in the top left corner. Digits may not repeat in a cage, but values may.
Example
Here is an example of a valid loop path (grey) and a valid cage. The natural cage total is 6 (1+2+3). It is adjusted up twice by the vampire cells (r4c2, r4c4) and adjusted down three times by the "bites" (marked with an X) i.e. r4c3 is targeted 3 times. In other words, the cage is valid because 5=(1+1)+(2-3)+(3+1)=2-1+4.
Solve Video
Click here to watch Frank Puzzles solve this puzzle live on YouTube.
Solution code: The values of all prey cells in column 9
Comments
on 7. April 2025, 20:05 by KingIsulgard
Wow this took me 71 minutes, very nice puzzle. I love multi-stage puzzles like these.
on 27. March 2025, 05:49 by gdc
add link to solve video (YouTube)
on 26. December 2024, 12:28 by wuc
Tough puzzle. So easy to make mistakes along. Very clever setting. Altough my mood changed in certain phases I love this solve. Rewarding experience at last. Thx for sharing.
on 13. December 2024, 01:20 by QuiltyAsCharged
Fantastic puzzle, mwaa ha ha! Be sure to use red x's for bite marks for maximum enjoyment
on 6. November 2024, 09:31 by isajo4002
Wow the fact that this disambiguates and with no problems on where the vampires bite is amazing!! Thank you for this puzzle
on 31. October 2024, 14:38 by LehanLehan
Genius as always, thanks,gdc
on 28. October 2024, 21:29 by heliopolix
Very smooth!
on 28. October 2024, 21:20 by ViKingPrime
I was today years old when I learned what Polonaise is... beautiful puzzle!
on 28. October 2024, 02:43 by kdkirby
Super smooth solve! Vampire loop is such a fun idea too. Thank you!
on 27. October 2024, 19:55 by mihel111
Original and interesting all along.
Well done
on 27. October 2024, 02:15 by ryanprobably
Great puzzle! Flows so smoothly with a very stable difficulty level throughout
