The Third Law Of Thermodynamics (Dynamic FoW)
(Eingestellt am 21. Januar 2025, 16:20 Uhr von gdc)
This is my submission for this weeks Scojo setting challenge about thermometers. I had the idea of this "Thermodynamics" pun shortly after the term "dynamic fog" was coined for the new fog mechanic and finally found a way to make it work. Thanks to the testers. Hope you enjoy!
- Normal sudoku rules apply.
- Thermo: Digits along a grey thermo increase from the bulb end. Thermos contain exactly 4 digits, only move horizontally and vertically (never diagonally) and don't branch or overlap. Thermos are partially invisible.
- Dynamics: The grid is covered in dynamic fog. Placing a correct digit in a cell lifts fog from that cell and possibly other cells; revealing new clues.
- Entropy: Every 2x2 area in the grid contains at least one digit from (123), (456), and (789).
Example Puzzle
Below is a (non-unique) example puzzle (left) and a solution (right). There is only one way to build 4-cell thermos from the visible parts. The cells have been marked as L (low), M (medium) and H (high). Every 2x2 area contains at least one of each. For example, the lower-right 2x2 is 3485 which contains a low (3), two mediums (4,5) and a high (8). When read from the bulb, digits along thermos increase (1679, 2458). Thermos don't move diagonally i.e. adjacent cells on thermos always share an edge. Thermos don't overlap themselves or other thermos.
Lösungscode: Row 9 left to right (9 digits)
Kommentare
am 4. Februar 2025, 09:53 Uhr von QuiltyAsCharged
Truly excellent puzzle and pun! Although dynamic fog follows no laws. For every action, there may be a reaction which might be bigger or smaller or nothing at all. :)
am 28. Januar 2025, 21:34 Uhr von bboom
Very nice one. It had me go "this is just not possible, wth" at least five times but it still solved within an hour so it never actually got stuck all that long.
Very satisfying for feeling smart every time I did manage to find another step.
am 28. Januar 2025, 13:18 Uhr von alhobj
Very nice and fun puzzle! I liked how it required work all the way to the end
am 28. Januar 2025, 01:06 Uhr von greyhathero
Took me longer than it probably should have to get my head around it and finish the coloring, but once I did. Magic. One of those puzzles that makes me feel both stupid and smart. Love it
am 27. Januar 2025, 23:28 Uhr von wuc
Awesome. From start to finish pure joy. 3.5* for me. Thx for sharing.
am 23. Januar 2025, 03:16 Uhr von ViKingPrime
Fabulous puzzle! I'm so glad to see someone take up Mad-Tyas' torch.
am 22. Januar 2025, 09:07 Uhr von TheNineElements
Solve Time: 49:11
I rated this 3/5 difficulty.
Fun dFoW puzzle! The invisible/hidden thermo logic led to some really interesting logic with the entropy constraint, and it was fun to figure out how to color during the break-in.
I thought the break in was tough to get my head around, but once I was able to figure out how the entropy rules interacted with thermos, I was able go place a digit and progressed much more smoothly the rest of the solve. Break in felt around 3-4/5 difficulty for me.
The rest of the puzzle was also quite interesting, and had several interesting ideas with the revealed thermos. I am not very good at these 2x2 entropy puzzles, so this was definitely a challenge for me - and I very much enjoyed it!
The midgame-endgame was around 3/5 difficult for me, making my overall rating around 3/5 - but perhaps slightly on the harder end of 3*.
Thanks for sharing!
am 21. Januar 2025, 20:53 Uhr von Snookerfan
Very nice! I love the combination of my favourite constraint (2x2 Entropy) with fog. Thank you
am 21. Januar 2025, 19:49 Uhr von Myxo
Fun puzzle!
am 21. Januar 2025, 18:40 Uhr von gdc
Thanks @SenatorGronk! A good amount of the thermo parts are only revealed after the solver already knows the shape. I use these only to reassure solvers they are on the right track.
am 21. Januar 2025, 18:25 Uhr von SenatorGronk
Very nice! It’s funny but for as many thermo cells were invisible, the entropy forces so much, I think I only needed half of the ones that were visible.
