N-Tropic Lines
(Published on 2. February 2026, 08:10 by Big Tiger)
Standard Sudoku rules apply to the final numeric layout.
Numbers outside the puzzle are X-Sums: Each number represents the sum of the first X digits in that row or column from the clue's side of the grid, with X being the digit in the first cell. Those X digits are also entropic: Any three digits must contain a low (123), middle (456), and high (789) number.
One end of each grey line is Entropic as defined above. The other end of each grey line is Modular, in which any three adjacent cells along the line contain a 147, a 258, and a 369. Which end is which must be determined.
The digit N at one end of the line means that the line proceeds N cells from that end as an Entropic line, and the digit M at the other end of the line means that the line proceeds M cells from that end as a Modular line. The digit in the cell in which both of these modes meet is the difference between N and M.
The digit at the open end of the inequality symbol is greater than the other digit.
Solution code: Column 5, top to bottom
Comments
on 4. February 2026, 17:37 by marcmees
Nice flow. Thanks
on 3. February 2026, 16:55 by sfield
The sample image is helpful, but I still don't understand the rules. What if the difference is not 1? Is there allowed to be no overlap? What happens if the overlap is bigger than 1 cell? A second example would be helpful.
BT: "The digit in the cell in which both of these modes meet" - On all lines, the entropic end and the modular end WILL meet in one cell somewhere on the line.
on 2. February 2026, 14:07 by wuc
Big wow on this one. Really worth to plow through the newish rulreset. Great flow. Great interaction. Clever setting thx.
on 2. February 2026, 13:08 by SirWoezel
Welcome back! Very good puzzle!
on 2. February 2026, 09:47 by Big Tiger
Added sample image, previously overlooked when creating the puzzle page.
