Logic Masters Deutschland e.V.

This is the second puzzle in the Zippular Lines series. This one is a bit trickier than the first, as it contains a lot of deductions packed in tightly. The puzzle does not require extensive case-checking or lookaheads. Modular math is very helpful.

Zippular Lines were inspired by the Zipper Lines created by Jaze and the many excellent puzzles featuring them created by the community. I wanted to expand the possible pairs of digits on a line, so I chose to modify the constraint to compare the sum’s Modular Line remainders (0, 1, or 2) instead of the full sum. This creates a line which is less constrained but still has lots of potential.

Zippular Lines Series

1. The Prophecy (Zippular Lines #1)
2. The Magic Potion (Zippular Lines #2)
3. The Roc’s Shadow (Zippular Lines #3)
4. The Ankheg (Zippular Lines #4)
5. The False Tautology (Zippular Lines #5)

Ziffular Lines Series

1. The Humble Beginning (Ziffular Lines #1)

Rules:

• Normal Sudoku, Kropki Pairs, and XV Pairs rules apply, along with Zippular Lines.
• Sudoku: Place the digits 1-9 once each in every row, column, and 3x3 box.
• Zippular Lines: Each pair of digits an equal distance from the central spot on a Zippular line have the same SUM MODULO 3 (the remainder when the digits are summed and then divided by 3). The digit in the central spot has the same remainder when divided by 3.
• For example, 658 is a valid Zippular line, because 6+8=14, and 14 and 5 have the same remainder (2) when divided by 3.
• Kropki Pairs: Digits separated by a white dot are consecutive. Digits separated by a black dot are in a 2:1 ratio. Not all dots are necessarily given.
• XV Pairs: Digits separated by an X sum to 10. Digits separated by a V sum to 5. Not all XV are necessarily given.

Streamers have permission to use this puzzle.

Play in SudokuPad

I am a big fan of fantasy adventures, so I decided to add a bit of lore to this puzzle series. The lore is completely optional and will come in the form of a hint for one of the puzzles in the series (not necessarily the current puzzle). The hint will make some difficult deduction a bit easier, but it will not make the puzzle trivial. All puzzles are unique and solvable without using a hint.

“As the liquid settles in the pit of your stomach, the cages in the room snap into sharp focus. The largest cage - big enough to hold the Roc you hid from weeks ago - instead seems to contain a dizzying swarm of living polygons. The potion enhances your sight and you begin to see a pattern amidst the chaos. The flurrying shapes lack any kind of curve individually, but collectively they create a curve in the negative space between them. You sketch the outline of your vision hastily as the potion fades, and look down at your page in disbelief. What secret meaning could ‘38’ possibly have?”