Star Killer Part 4: Asteroids!
(Published on 6. January 2024, 20:00 by FischmitFahrrad)
Additional constraints on placement of stars:
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Each of the grey 1-cell cages is an asteroid. Asteroids can "move" diagonally downwards. Each possible path between an asteroid and a cell occupied by the space ship (the thermo on the bottom right) has to be interrupted by a star with a higher digit than the sum of all asteroids, that can reach that position. E.g. if r4c8 was a star "shielding" the ship it's value must be higher than r3c7.
Stars may be placed directly on the ship to shield it. - A cage with no given number still has to follow Star Killer rules regarding it’s sum and neighboring stars.
- Thermo: Digits along a grey thermometer must increase from the bulb.
- German Whispers: Adjacent digits along a green line must differ by at least 5.
- Nabner: Digits on a yellow line must form a set of non-repeating, non-consecutive digits in any order.
Star Killer Rules:
Place exactly two stars into each row, column and box. Stars may not share an edge (no diagonal constraint!). The number in the top-left corner of a cage (if given) gives you the number of stars, that are outside of the cage and share an edge with that cage.
Digits in a cage do not repeat and sum to the total X. The number in the top-left corner of a cage must be equal to the digit sum of X.
Solve online.
This puzzle is part of a series consisting of 12 puzzles. The series doesn't necessarily has to be solved in the intended order. If you're willing to attempt the whole series you can find part 1 here.
You can continue with part 5 here.
Solution code: The sum of all stars in columns 4, 5 and 6 (2 digits), followed by column 1 from top to bottom (9 digits).
Comments
on 8. January 2024, 14:27 by CFood
I am a bit confused on the rule "each possible path between an asteroid and a cell occupied by the space ship ... has to be interrupted by a star"
As I understand it, I have to shield the ship from every possible angle. Once I do that in R4C6 and R4C8 to shield it from the asteroid in R3C7, I cannot protect the ship from R2C5 as R3C6 and R4C7 are open to hit R5C8.
Unless I misunderstand "asteroids can move diagonally downwards", and zigzagging is not possible.
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I think you understood the given rules correctly, but missed the last sentence, that "stars may be placed directly on the ship to shield it". So a star placed on top of the thermo shields that cell of the spaceship from every possible direction.
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I don't know how many times I read that and somehow did not register what it said. That cleared everything up and I was on my way, thanks! Fun series so far. Love star battles so this tickles my fancy.
on 7. January 2024, 19:08 by tobymgk
I think I need some practice on nabner lines because I struggled to get this one finished up. Good puzzle! Looking forward to more from you.
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Congrats on the solve and for pushing through! The feedback is very much appreciated!
on 7. January 2024, 00:32 by FischmitFahrrad
Rephrased the rules.
on 6. January 2024, 22:01 by godoffours
Incredibly fun puzzle - after the last two being too hard for me, I'm super happy to solve this one! Was a great way to spend a Saturday.
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Thanks for the kind words and congrats on the solve!
on 6. January 2024, 21:35 by tobymgk
I have a question on the wording - “a star with a higher digit than all asteroids, that can reach that position combined.” Does “combined” mean the star’s digit needs to be higher than the sum of the asteroids that can reach it, if there is more than one?
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Yes, the star's digit has to be higher than the sum of all asteroids, thanks for noticing, I will reword the rules.
