Tuesday, 16 August 2022

bakpao

Hello there, friends! What's that? Where's shye, you ask? shye is enjoying a well-deserved off day today, so you'll have to do with me today. I have to keep this intro short, as the rest of the post is rather long, so let's get straight to the point: Unfortunately no bonus otters will be handed out today despite some subtle hints from one of your setters in the chat yesterday, which hurts as today's genre is one I hold close to my heart. At least it does help me stay within character limits... or is that just the Nitro? In any case, better luck tomorrow!

Today's GAPP is a Paoland! This genre was invented by our very own @Prasanna16391 for a past prompt in #monthly-puzzle-prompt, and features yours truly prominently in the rules. The original rules are thematically written to fit in with server lore, however a neutral version is provided in this case. The rules are lengthier than usual, so read them carefully and take a close look at the example! Two links are provided for both the example and the main puzzle - one containing neutral rules and presentation, the other containing the Full Paoland Experience™️. Choose wisely 😈

Rules:
Draw a single network consisting only of black or white circles from each hexagon to a given circle of the corresponding colour. Only one of each hexagon’s orthogonally adjacent cells contains a circle. Networks cannot touch each other orthogonally, except at the given locations. Black circle networks must contain at least twice as many cells as the white circle networks they are connected to (excluding the hexagon cell). Networks can branch, hit dead ends, travel further than needed, etc.

Outside clues indicate the number of black and white circles in that row or column.

There must be at least one empty cell in every 2x2 area in the grid.

In the original ruleset, the initial circles are not given but left for the solver to deduce. In this GAPP, they are given to make the ruleset a bit lighter.


Example (Penpa+, neutral rules and presentation): https://tinyurl.com/2lk6ppfu
Example (Penpa+, thematic rules and presentation): https://tinyurl.com/2leyctyw

Puzzle (Penpa+, neutral rules and presentation): https://tinyurl.com/2h8sr4ga
Puzzle (Penpa+, thematic rules and presentation): https://tinyurl.com/2l6ntjhr


⚠️ Solving notes and tips
- Answer check requires you to draw the networks using circles, preselected in the Composite -> blwh mode. Click once for a white circle, twice for a black circle. You can also click and hold to drag multiple circles at once.
- You can use the Surface mode to keep track of unused cells and completed outside clues. Any shading used does not interfere with answer check.


For a Speedy Sloth 🦥 solve in 4:30 or less!
For a Quick Crab 🦀 solve in 9:00 or less!
And all who finish get a Paolish Pelican 🐦!