XWord Muggles Forum

Hey, it's Darth here, and I'm excited to take part in Smooth Sailing Sunday! This puzzle was conceived four years ago -- a "wannabe" meta that never fully materialized, but crawled out of hiding and got a much-needed makeover... although it still carries an element of the original idea! Need I say more?

Here are your "afternoon" nudges only if you need them (what Cap'n Rick calls "InSSStant Nudges" if you're newish to metas and need help right away):

..... Nudge 1: If you're new to meta solving, general advice is to use your powers of observation. Look for patterns and find a common element in the grid. ..... Nudge 2: Besides pointing to the theme, the title of a meta puzzle can be cryptic or instructive. Sometimes both. ..... Nudge 3: Long answers in the grid are often helpful to study, especially if they are "themers" (i.e., share the puzzle's theme). ..... Nudge 4: Sometimes there are clues that offer direct hints, such as 25D in this puzzle. This hint may be cryptic or instructive. ..... Nudge 5: Sometimes clues offer indirect hints, such as 15A in this puzzle. These are often more subtle or cryptic in nature. ..... Nudge 6: I did say this puzzle carries an original "element" from my earlier version, right? This element may appear periodically in the grid. Need I say more?

GO for THE GOLD
crosshare
PUZ
PDF
spreadsheet

Sssolved! Thanks, Darth. Nice aha moment.

SSSolved. Fun one. Thanks Darth.

SSSolved...loved it. (no nudges needed) Thanks Darth!

Sssolved.

SSSolved!

SSSolved. Thanksss!

SSSolved! Nice one, Darth.

Sssolved! Clever mechanism. I have to admit that I was feeling lazy and went to the Spoilers fairly quickly. Wouldn't you know it! I had figured all of that out already. I just needed to apply a little effort and there it was.

Looked at the nudges, but already had that info. So solved after looking at nudges but without using them.
Thanks.

Sssolved! No nudges needed. Thanks for the puzzle, Darth!

SSSolved. The nudge in that clue was a big help.

Always an addicts dilemma when the nudges are available before you even start. Shouldn't have needed nudge 2 and nudge 2 shouldn't have helped in any way. But it did it for me.

SSSolved -- (Wonder if this is one of Ed's.)

When I saw the bullion in the picture at the top, I thought you were giving each of us a box of Godiva chocolates.

Thanks, Darth!

Sssolved! NNN! (Great idea, @Wendy Walker!)

Sssolved sssans nudges. Fun one! Thanks, Darth!

Sssolved without nudges. Thanks, Darth.

NNN

Sssolved! Thanks Darth!

Leader Board: What an awesome turnout to start off the week! Already 45solvers on the board so far...

Benchen71
Hector
Danny K Bernstein
Dow
boharr
Bob the cruise director
Berto
Cindy Weatherman
Qmark
Mr Tex
Meg
Chris Kochmanski
JM
Wendy Walker
DCBilly
LarsCaine
hoover
Gutman
Carolyn
Abide
ajk (Alan)
lbray53
MatthewL
Bird Lives (Jay)
kurtalert
Pair O Ducks
Sharkicicles
Anita and Steve
woozy
andeux
Chris
whimsy
CPJohnson
Tim
Jeremy Smith
BarbaraK
michaelm
Laura M
Samwise
Archie
Cinny (Cindy Heisler)
Tyrpmom
hcbirker (Heidi)
Rick