Destructive Counting
(Published on 21. November 2025, 13:12 by eap314)
Sudoku / Latin Square: Digits do not repeat in rows or columns.
Destruction (NXTMaster): All GIVEN regions contain at least one repeat digit. Locate 7 orthogonally connected HIDDEN regions that contain the digits 1-7.
A circle counts how many (orthogonally and diagonally) adjacent cells including itself (up to 9) are in both its given and hidden region.
A square counts how many TOTAL cells overlap between its given and hidden region.
Counting (IcyFruit): A digit in a CIRCLE indicates the TOTAL number of circles and squares that contain that digit. Digits in squares do not necessarily go in circles.
(2 could go in 1 square and 1 circle. 3 could go in 5 squares if it goes in 0 circles)
Click on the image to play
Note to self: This puzzle (and CC in general) was easier for me to work backwards from a solution after placing some important / funny bits
Solution code: Row 6 left to right. Use a hyphen (-) to designate hidden region boundaries.
Comments
on 2. December 2025, 18:21 by eap314
Updated setter's note, removed extra given
on 1. December 2025, 14:41 by The Book Wyrm
Brilliant puzzle!
The adjustments to "Destruction" worked really well - the smaller regions make the forced repeat rule much more relevant, and the square clues are a pretty interesting clue type.
Both types of destruction clues worked really well with the counting rules as well, which was very nice.
The puzzle was very smooth with a lot of interesting and well-telegraphed logic.
I have some experience with destruction so it was closer to 3*.
(Also didn't need the extra given)
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eap314:
Thank you! I've been thinking about these rules individually for a while, so I'm glad that they came together so well.
I also agree with your difficulty estimate, but it's a fairly new ruleset.
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The CC setting process will vary a lot depending on the ruleset. They often require finding a solution *for the regions* partway through setting. That way you still have some options, but have the solver to guarantee the irregular doesn't break.
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eap314: [decreased text wall (mostly my own errors), sorry for the ping]
