Pentominous (Cipher) by Grant Fikes
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use tab to alternate between a composite mode for line/edge drawing and a letter entry mode.)
Theme: Logical
Author/Opus: This is the 147th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Grant Fikes.
Rules: Divide the grid into 20 pentominoes so that no two pentominoes of the same shape (including rotations/reflections) share an edge. Each number in this grid represents a clue for a different letter/pentomino as in a regular Pentominous puzzle; all instances of a number must represent the same letter. An inventory of possible pentominoes is given below the puzzle.
Answer String: Enter the letter associated with the pentomino occupying each cell in the marked row from left to right and then the marked column from top to bottom, separating the groups with a comma. Use CAPITAL LETTERS!
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 6:30, Master = 9:00, Expert = 18:00
Solution: PDF; a solution video is available here.
Note: Follow this link for other Pentominous puzzles. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Pentominous to get started on.
22:20 A very enjoyable puzzle with a tough and satisfying finish. Thanks, Grant!
25:05.I could not find any logic going in the right half of the puzzle.Guessed to completion.
I didn’t see it either when solving, but the top right can be figured out quite well: Lbh pna ehyr bhg (n) gur gbc bs gur 2-cragbzvab univat jvqgu 2, (o) gur 5-cragbzvab tbvat yrsg ng gur gbc, (p) gur pryy gb gur yrsg bs gung 5 abg orvat cneg bs gur 2. Then you’ll be able to determine 2 and 5 up there, and place (most of) the other 2 and 5. The rest then still requires experimentation, but it’s quite constrained.
6:06! My sudoku times are much worse.
Puzzle link for solving [EDIT: Removed as we added our own official link to post]