Slitherlink (Sheep and Wolves) by Grant Fikes
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools in edgex mode where left click+drag draws lines and right click marks X’s)
Theme: Symmetrical Clues (allowing for rotations and reflections)
Author/Opus: This is the 102nd puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Grant Fikes.
Rules: Standard Slitherlink rules. Also, there are some sheep (marked by a reflected 2 in blue) that must be inside the loop and some wolves (marked by a rotated 3 in red) that must be outside the loop.
(Note: the reflected/rotated digits in blue and red do not actually serve as loop clues meaning 2 and 3, just as sheep and wolves. We chose this presentation because the theme works better with the wackiness of some 2’s and 3’s even if it needs this extra note.)
Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the internal loop segments following the arrows for the marked rows, starting at the top. Separate each row’s entry with a comma.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 1:30, Master = 2:30, Expert = 5:00
Solution: PDF
Note: Follow this link for other Slitherlink variations and this link for classic Slitherlink. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Slitherlink puzzles to get started on.
Before solving the puzzle: Naturally I suggest a plain version to be made available together with the fancy version.
…don’t say it’s available for patrons (only).
Don’t worry, the patrons got the same puzzle you’re seeing here. One with S and W might not be a bad idea, just so people don’t get confused.
Puzzle: Nice. My favorite bit was the squeeze play in the middle of the solve.
Nice puzzle.10 mins