(This post is part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) series.)
To get “cracking” in this puzzle you’ll have to think about all the different subsets and what contains what as you move around the grid.

PDF

or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)

Theme: Thunderbolts and Lightning

Author/Opus: This is the 26th puzzle from Philip Newman, part of the Genuinely Approachable Sudoku (GAS) team.

Rules: Standard Sudoku rules: Insert a number from 1 to 9 into each cell so that no number repeats in any row, column, or bold region. For each pair of cages connected by a zigzag line, the set of numbers in the smaller cage must fully appear in the larger cage. Any number on the connecting zigzag line must also be a part of the larger cage but cannot be a part of the smaller cage. Numbers do not repeat within cages.

(For example: The numbers in R4C123 (small cage) and R5C3 (connecting line) must appear in the five-cell cage R67C3+R8C345.)

GAS Time Standards (highlight to view): Two party hats (🎩🥳): 7:00; One party hat (🥳): 13:00. All other solvers earn a 🦕: August Abysosaurus.

Thomas Hits the GAS (highlight to view): 4:55, with SudokuPad replay file shared as a download for now (requires loading via settings menu with improvements expected before people should use this regularly).

Solution: PDF and solving video with explanation from GAS team.

Note: Follow this link for other less common variations of Sudoku.

Note 2: Comments on the blog are great! For a more interactive discussion, please also consider using our Daily GAS discussion post on the GMPuzzles Discord. Not a member of the Discord? Click this link for basic access.