Skycagers (Build Your Own Killer Sudoku)
(Published on 17. January 2023, 09:00 by Agent)
This puzzle is a combination of killer and skycrapers, where the sum of digits in cages represents the height of a building. A bit different than my usual puzzles, but I had a lot of fun experimenting with this idea, and I hope you will enjoy it too! I think the resulting puzzle has a nice variety of deductions. It will remain challenging throughout the solve, but nothing monstrous.
Rules
- Normal sudoku rules apply.
- Build Your Own Killer: Divide the grid into cages, i.e. non-overlapping areas of one or more orthogonally connected cell(s) with no repeating digits. A clue in the top-left corner of a cell indicates the sum of digits in that cage.
- Some cages do not contain any clues. For these other cages, the sum must be determined by the solver.
- Some cells may be outside cages.
- No two cages can share the same sum.
- Skyscrapers: Each cage represents a building whose height equals the sum of its digits. Clues outside the grid indicate the number of buildings seen from that direction. Taller buildings block the view of smaller buildings. Cells outside cages cannot be seen.
Puzzle links
Have fun solving!
Solution code: Row 1 (from left to right) then column 9 (from top to bottom)
Comments
on 19. November 2023, 00:00 by StephenR
Great puzzle with some smashing logic. The ending was knotty, but was so well designed that one cannot begrudge Agent the blood, sweat and tears!
on 12. April 2023, 22:16 by Christounet
Magnifique !
Constantly challenging, with a continuous feeling that it’s gonna break, up to the late mid-solve. Thrilling ! Thanks !
on 8. February 2023, 00:45 by Agent
Thanks again everyone for the kind words! I'm glad you all enjoyed this puzzle :)
on 4. February 2023, 18:19 by Al Fresco
I love cageless killers. The skyscraper clues worked beautifully with the cage construction. Very enjoyable puzzle. Thanks Agent
on 3. February 2023, 16:54 by Niverio
Sublime! The logical path is narrow, tough and very rich.
on 2. February 2023, 12:22 by Jay Dyer
Absolutely mind-blowing! Definitely one of my favourite solves.
on 1. February 2023, 00:06 by ddx2407
Very challenging, and yet very rewarding. Another astonishing puzzle, Agent!
on 30. January 2023, 15:30 by wand
whoof my head is still reeling, but many surprising twists and turns - Loved it!
on 25. January 2023, 19:53 by Elliptical
That was one tough nut to crack.
Resisted to the very end. Thanks
on 23. January 2023, 01:01 by Samish
Wonderful execution of this ruleset! The grid feels rather miraculous and on several occasions I thought I'd broken the puzzle even though I never did. I greatly enjoyed and did't find it so difficult, thanks a lot!
on 22. January 2023, 20:11 by Gnosis66
@Polar: Thanks for the response.
Great puzzle. Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.
on 22. January 2023, 18:38 by peacherwu2
Original & fun!!!
on 21. January 2023, 22:15 by halakani
One of the most entertaining and satisfying sudokus on this platform.
on 21. January 2023, 20:16 by Agent
Thanks everyone for the kind feedback! Stay tuned for more puzzles :)
on 20. January 2023, 08:28 by Jesper
Great puzzle, thanks!
on 20. January 2023, 07:09 by KNT
Awesome puzzle. I found it very challenging and rewarding throughout.
on 19. January 2023, 08:22 by Statistica
Wunderschön und knackig bis zum Schluss. Vielen Dank.
on 19. January 2023, 04:44 by polar
@Gnosis66: Yep that's right.
on 19. January 2023, 03:47 by Gnosis66
"Each cage represents a building whose height equals the sum of its digits." Does that mean that every cell within the cage is the same height? E.g., would both cells within a 2-cell cage containing 5 and 6 be "seen" as buildings of height 11?
-- What polar said is correct :)
on 18. January 2023, 14:57 by Snookerfan
Very nice puzzle! Loved it very much, thank you
on 18. January 2023, 05:49 by bodemeister
Very nice puzzle! Amazing how everything fits together. I got stuck for a bit not realizing the 2 from the right saw 45 cage, but that's my stupidity.
on 18. January 2023, 02:54 by karlmortenlunna
Very nice puzzle!
on 18. January 2023, 02:09 by Piatato
Very nice and smooth, and everything just fits together in such a surprising and lovely fashion!
on 17. January 2023, 19:51 by MagnusJosefsson
Great puzzle! Very challenging all the way through with a lot of creative and interesting logic.
on 17. January 2023, 16:39 by Vebby
Wonderful execution of the ruleset! Enjoyed both the cage building and arithmetic aspects greatly. Thanks Agent! :)
on 17. January 2023, 16:34 by Agent
Clarified rules.
on 17. January 2023, 15:31 by h5663454
"Some cages may not contain any clues."
This sentence means that in addition to the given killer cages, there may be other killer cages that need to be placed by the solver.
Is my understanding correct?
-- Yes, that is indeed correct!
