Logic Masters Deutschland e.V.

This is the fourth puzzle in the Zippular Lines series. This puzzle is very hard, and has some deductions that are quite difficult to spot. Modular math and coloring are recommended. You can get a hint for one of the hardest deductions in the lore at the bottom. The puzzle is unique and solvable without the hint, if you prefer not to use it.

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, Killer, and Kropki 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.
• Killer: Digits in a cage sum to the total in the top-left cell.
• 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.

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.

“The great armored beast burrows up out of the earth, its beady black eyes glittering with malice - or hunger. One snap of its mighty mandibles can cut a horse’s leg clean off, so you circle it warily, looking for an opportunity. Something stirs in the back of your mind, a line from the prophecy. If only you could remember it clearly!”