Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? A weekly meta crossword constructed by forum member Ben (aka benchen71). These metas range from relatively easy to more challenging, depending on how many Australianisms he puts in them! Puzzles are posted in a new thread every Tuesday, with nudges appearing on Saturdays, and the solution coming out on Mondays. (At least, that's the plan. Given he lives in Australia, and they are so far ahead of the US time-zone-wise, things may get posted early!)
Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? I love the way these meta puzzles come together! From initial idea to possible theme entries to a grid to the clues: you never quite know what's going to come along in the process. This one had some serendipitous moments, let me tell you! The answer to the meta is a three word phrase.
The easiest way to submit is on Crosshare (and you get instant feedback and unlimited attempts!) But you can also PM me with your submission. Either way, I'll compile a list of those who successfully solve the meta.
Last edited by benchen71 on Sun Sep 22, 2024 6:26 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta!
lbray53 wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 6:36 am
PUZ and PDF links are not working for me. I was able to access through Crosshare.
Fixed! Thanks for letting me know.
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta!
MatthewL wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 4:22 pm
Well, I can see Step 1, but then come to a screeching halt. Perhaps there will be early nudges (he said hopefully).
There's a good chance of that!
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta!
I tried a few answers, not expecting them to be correct. And, no, they were not correct. But at least this has gotten them out of my head. I’ll likely need Ben’s nudges.
Wow, just 7 solvers! Definitely on the tricky side of things.
markhr
Hector
Laura M
Pair O Ducks
JM
Tyrpmom
whimsy
I think early nudges are called for.
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta!
1. The central entry is definitely a hint, but there is an additional hint somewhere else in the grid.
2. I've used "Partner of..." clues in the past, and they are relatively common in crossword clues; but there are none in this puzzle!
3. There are 5 partner pairs located in the grid.
4. Once you have the partners you'll need to apply the puzzle title (and that additional hint) to get to the start of the answer.
5. The additional hint is 46 down.
6. "Difference" means "subtraction". Entry clue numbers are involved.
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta!
Okay, I had ALL that already, and still didn't see the answer until I did a little thing they always told us to do before
► Show Spoiler
turning in a completed math test
(SMH).
STILL, I see exactly why people may not be getting this, even if they have all that. Can’t say it here without spoiling, but I smiled when I figured out what you were after.
Oh, man, if I had just [I’ll withhold, so as not to give anything away], I’d have gotten this on my own, without reading Ben’s nudges. But I still don’t quite [withheld]. No worries, though. I’ll PM Ben for an explanation.
Shoved across the MOAT by Ben's nudges. I had already gotten 1-3 by myself, and I don't have the requisite background knowledge to use 4-5 effectively, but 6 was a big help. Some people may need another nudge after that one.
I don't have anything clever to say, but if I did, it would go here.
Eli
Limped across the MOAT supported by @lbray53. I made SUCH a rookie mistake I cannot believe it. Of course it was not as if I was going to solve it nudgeless, I took them all!!!
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges IF ASKED; metas should be about fun, not frustration. PM me what you have done so far, because often you are closer than you think, and I will try to help you move along.
Nudged across the MOAT. Thanks, Ben!