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? Inspiration for metas comes from various places. Sometimes I think of a meta mechanic while trying to solve someone else's meta. At other times, a phrase suggests itself. This was one of the latter. It's also a fitting "week 5". Don't let that put you off, though, because I think this is a SAD puzzle (simple and difficult). Good luck, as you seek to solve this puzzle and come up with the answer to the meta which is a 10 letter 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 Feb 05, 2023 4:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
Castle (re-)stormed! Had originally solved in Ben’s pre-release bonus pack, so no, I didn’t really get this in 15m. Still clever the second time around, Ben!
We're approaching the end of the first 24 hours and, yes, this looks like a suitable "week 5" puzzle. Here's the list so far:
rjy
Darth
boharr
MatthewL
whimsy
wendy walker
KayW
ChrisKochmanski
ChrisCross
Tom Wilson
Laura M
Gutman
That's 12 to get us started!
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
Not too many solvers have come in since yesterday:
lbray53
Meg
Teamdoubletow
markhr
We're only up to 16 now. But don't worry: nudges will be along tomorrow morning Australia time!
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
1. The main clue is the puzzle title. Think about ways of reading this like a meta constructor!
2. The vowel distribution of this puzzle is not equal.
3. There are only 4 "U"s in the puzzle.
4. 1A is also a hint (or should I say nudge!)
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
Got it with the nudges after a few different interpretations of them. Probably only needed the first 3 in retrospect. Thanks.
Check out this very cool project by many of your favorite muggles to raise money to fight cancer. You get a fun puzzle bundle and good causes get $. Win-win: Crosswords for Cancer
MMe wrote: ↑Thu Feb 02, 2023 2:28 pm
Aha! But, to be fair, There is nothing tell-tale about the grid's vowel frequency, which is almost precisely average for crosswords.
True, but I didn't say frequency, I said distribution.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
Thank you, Ben!
