Zodiac Project: Leo
(Published on 16. July 2025, 13:54 by ChinStrap)
- Normal sudoku rules apply: Place the digits 1-9 once each in every row, column, and 3x3 box.
- Copycat Cells: Place 9 Copycat Cells into the grid so that there is exactly one Copycat Cell in each row, column, and 3x3 box. Each Copycat Cell must contain a different digit. The value of a Copycat Cell is the digit in the cell rotationally opposite itself in the grid (180° rotation about the center of the grid). The value of a non copycat cell is it's digit. For example, if r2c3 is a Copycat Cell containing the digit 5, and r8c7 contains the digit 9, the value of r2c3 is the digit in r8c7, which is 9.
- Killer Cages: The values of cells in a cage must sum to the total in the top left corner. Digits may not repeat in a cage but values may.
- Counting Lions: Values in lions count how many lions of any kind contain that value.
- Extra Region: The 9 lions with manes must all contain different digits (but may contain the same values).
- "Chapter 1: Orion's Belt" by ViKingPrime
- "Chapter 2: Counting Castles" by Marty Sears
- "Chapter 3: Derezzed" by heliopolix
- "Chapter 4: Rodd Stevens" by 99%Sneaky
- "Chapter 5: Phase Shift" by meggen033
- "Chapter 6: Cage Decoder" by sujoyku
- "Chapter 7: Star Chart" by Flinty
- "Chapter 8: Parity Expedition" by palpot
- "Chapter 9: Suguru's Surge" by gdc
- "Chapter 10: Minefield Maneuvers" by SamuPiano
- "Chapter 11: Ponta Delgada" by Florian Wortmann
- "Chapter 12: Lost in Space" by lerroyy
- "Chapter 13: Gemini" by Christounet
- "Chapter 14: Sagittarius" by MaizeGator
- "Chapter 15: Kyklos" by sfushidahardy
- "Chapter 16: Original Sin" by Nordy
- "Chapter 17: Cluster of Galaxies" by Dorlir
- "Chapter 18: Taurus" by ThePedallingPianist
- "Chapter 19: Isolation" by vitaminz
- "Chapter 20: Space Hotel" by juggler
- "Chapter 21: Libra" by Scojo
Solution code: Digits in Row 6, left to right (9 digits)
Comments
on 17. July 2025, 15:52 by GoodMorningCallum
Superb. Completely agree with Sujoyku that it's very easy to make false assumptions - I did and went on a wild lion chase for a while. But that's what made this so challenging and such a wonderful puzzle. Thank you!
on 16. July 2025, 21:47 by ViKingPrime
A bit mind-melting (just a titch).
on 16. July 2025, 20:46 by MSDOS
One of the most challenging yet rewarding puzzles I've solved (with a bit of help)! Lovely interactions, mind bending elegance!
on 16. July 2025, 18:53 by aqjhs
copy-lions are vicious!
loved it <3
on 16. July 2025, 14:35 by sanabas
Very innovative use of counting circles, and a lot of fun.
on 16. July 2025, 14:14 by sujoyku
The ruleset needs a lot of caution because it is so easy to make false assumptions. But to me, it felt like an adventurous ride, full of interesting and beautiful discoveries. Already while testing, I knew this would become one of my all-time favourites. Thank you for this awesome puzzle, ChinStrap!
