Bonds (Killer + Arrow)
(Published on 18. January 2026, 05:00 by Playmaker6174)
But first, to kick off this year’s run, I shall share a puzzle that once again combined two of my favorite constraints of them all: Killer and Arrow.
Yes, it should be no surprise they are considered that since they contributed to some of my favorite puzzles I've ever solved or set in the past. This one, in particular, was set in the mimic style of a certain setter friend of mine and I eventually thought that the final result should also be shared over here as well.
The puzzle title is based from the idea that I let these two constraints 'holding hands' together to produce some cool main logic.
I initially put this at around 3.5-4 difficulty range over here, but some solvers may likely find it a bit lesser than that. For now, do enjoy the puzzle and also I hope to come up with some more fun stuff in the future!
Rules:
- Normal Sudoku rules apply: every row, column and 3x3 box contains digits from 1 to 9 each once.
- Within a cage, digits don't repeat and they sum to the small number written at the top left of that cage.
- Digits along an arrow sum to the digit in the circle cell attached to that arrow.
Puzzle: F-puzzle - Penpa plus - Sudokupad
Good luck and have fun solving!
Solution code: Enter row 8 from left to right, 9 digits long
Comments
yesterday, 11:41 by GeorgeTheToad2
Reminds me of your Battle of the Archers series. Quite hard but very rewarding. Thank you. This deserves many solves.
on 19. January 2026, 20:40 by keenbowl
Wonderful puzzle, thanks for setting and sharing!
on 19. January 2026, 14:01 by Statistica
Großartig! Vielen Dank!
on 18. January 2026, 20:00 by antiknight
Amazing puzzle with interesting deductions!
on 18. January 2026, 19:10 by Qodec
A work of art.
on 18. January 2026, 17:19 by Ambrose
Great setting, very nice telegraphing!
on 18. January 2026, 15:33 by Snow the Jam Man
I think this is a perfect puzzle for a CTC video, beautiful deductions from start to finish
on 18. January 2026, 15:20 by mathpesto
Brilliant setting! A wide variety of logic from start to finish! :)
on 18. January 2026, 11:49 by Chaka
Lovely! 3* for me. Loved the placement of the arrows!
on 18. January 2026, 11:34 by Exigus
Love the symmetry and the tiny break that rewards all the previous work. Thanks!
on 18. January 2026, 09:42 by gdc
Very smooth puzzle with neat geometry.
on 18. January 2026, 09:04 by CorpJigsQuand
Very nice! Got stuck a few times but there was always hope. Thanks for setting!
on 18. January 2026, 07:33 by Piatato
Great fun, thanks!
