Beorn
(Published on 6. October 2025, 16:00 by Blobz)
The Hobbit Puzzle Pack
VII : Beorn
Image with kind permission from Ted Nasmith
"Don't be a fool Mr. Baggins if you can help it; he is a skin-changer. He changes his skin: sometimes he is a huge black bear, sometimes he is a great strong black-haired man with huge arms and a great beard. I cannot tell you much more, though that ought to be enough."
Normal sudoku rules apply.
Begin by writing in the "tree" digits in boxes 3 and 7 from the previous puzzle.
Digits in cages do not repeat (though their values can); their values must sum to the given total.
There are 9 "changer" cells (digits 1-9 once each) in the grid; one in every row, column and box. There are also 9 "victim" cells (goblins, most likely) the digits 1-9 once each; one in every row, column and box. The value of a changer cell is always 8; the value of a victim cell is always 0.
The 8-changer cell is given in box 5; the solver must deduce where the remaining changer cells (and all the victim cells) are.
Have fun, leave a comment if you enjoy the puzzle!
- I : An Unexpected Party
- II : Roast Mutton
- III : Thror's Map
- IV : Goblin Cave
- V : Riddles in the Dark
- VI : Out of the Frying-Pan...
- VII : Beorn
- VIII : Flies and Spiders
- IX : Barrels Out of Bond
- X : Lake-Town
- XI : When the Thrush Knocks...
- XII : Smaug
- XIII : Mithril Coat
- XIV : The Dragon's Wrath
- XV : Barricade
- XVI : Beyond Price
- XVII : Battle of Five Armies
- XVIII : The Return Journey
Solution code: Row 2
Comments
on 1. January 2026, 00:30 by Symphony
Got stuck for a long time here, with an apparent deadly pattern late in the solve. In case anyone else finds themselves in similar trouble: note carefully that the changer cells in the puzzle must be composed of a complete sudoku set of the digits 1-9, and the same is also true for the victim cells. That was the restriction that my brain, at least, apparently had a hard time absorbing. But glad to be moving on with the adventure now! Enjoying these puzzles, and the clever theming.
on 28. December 2025, 15:10 by Reina
I always hated values-puzzles and its safe to say you changed that, Impressive stuff!
on 10. November 2025, 16:15 by NotSoMagnifique
I understood this one much better after having done your Teen Slayer puzzle!
on 28. October 2025, 18:46 by Snookerfan
Really fun, thanks!
on 23. October 2025, 14:57 by marajade
The ways you tangle the "Hobbit" theme so deeply into the bones of these puzzles continue to amaze. (You're making me want to reread the book—it's been too long!) And of course this was also an absolute delight to solve, as always!
on 16. October 2025, 21:31 by dzamie
Using green and blue to mark the victim/changer cells results in a very visually pleasant ending palette.
This was tricky, but a lot of fun! Two sets of value-replacement cells...
