Beorn
(Published on 6. October 2025, 16:00 by Blobz)
The Hobbit Puzzle Pack
VII : Beorn
Image with kind permission from Ted Nasmith
"Don't be a fool Mr. Baggins if you can help it; he is a skin-changer. He changes his skin: sometimes he is a huge black bear, sometimes he is a great strong black-haired man with huge arms and a great beard. I cannot tell you much more, though that ought to be enough."
Normal sudoku rules apply.
Begin by writing in the "tree" digits in boxes 3 and 7 from the previous puzzle.
Digits in cages do not repeat (though their values can); their values must sum to the given total.
There are 9 "changer" cells (digits 1-9 once each) in the grid; one in every row, column and box. There are also 9 "victim" cells (goblins, most likely) the digits 1-9 once each; one in every row, column and box. The value of a changer cell is always 8; the value of a victim cell is always 0.
The 8-changer cell is given in box 5; the solver must deduce where the remaining changer cells (and all the victim cells) are.
Have fun, leave a comment if you enjoy the puzzle!
Solution code: Row 2
Comments
yesterday, 14:57 by marajade
The ways you tangle the "Hobbit" theme so deeply into the bones of these puzzles continue to amaze. (You're making me want to reread the book—it's been too long!) And of course this was also an absolute delight to solve, as always!
on 16. October 2025, 21:31 by dzamie
Using green and blue to mark the victim/changer cells results in a very visually pleasant ending palette.
This was tricky, but a lot of fun! Two sets of value-replacement cells...
