Enigmarch 2026, Day 4: HINT

[tahnan]

Invisiclues

Invisiclues were just the best hint system ever. You could reveal them one at a time to avoid spoiling too much, and they got progressively more helpful. Plus there was always something thrown in that wasn't even part of the game.

1. I don't believe this puzzle idea is any good any more.
2. How do I improve the writing before I run out of time?
3. I can't get any work done with the police siren going off!
4. I need to typeset the puzzle's grid.
5. It's 3am and I can't unlock my computer!
6. I have a hunch my computer's running out of power.
7. How can I give my puzzle more character?
8. The hype around Enigmarch is too much to take.

(Hint 1/3) Are you    re it's plugged in?
(Hint 1/3) Certain words are a    lbreaker for lively writing.
(Hint 1/3) Have you    ed looking for a password?
(Hint 1/3) The her    tea wasn't enough to calm your nerves.
(Hint 1/3) Including a sla   r-film antagonist was too threatening.
(Hint 1/3) What you have now is better than your   itial work.
(Hint 1/3) You could    ase your entire head in something sound dampening.
(Hint 1/3) You'll need to handcraft some black and white pixel squares first.

(Hint 2/3) But     ks to the aquarium between you and the window, you don't need to.
(Hint 2/3) Getting out a    re power cord might help.
(Hint 2/3) Make sure you have a ruler and compass for alignment.
(Hint 2/3) Maybe you should mark them for     tion?
(Hint 2/3) Perhaps a singer would be ha   ess enough?
(Hint 2/3) You need to    ure out a way to stop it from distracting you.
(Hint 2/3) You sim    need something stronger.
(Hint 2/3) You wrote it on the ma   a envelope on your desk.

(Hint 3/3) >    ETE FIRST DRAFT
(Hint 3/3) >   PE "XYZZY" INTO BOX
(Hint 3/3) > ADD R   STAR TO CLUES
(Hint 3/3) > CONN    LAPTOP TO POWER SOURCE
(Hint 3/3) > POUR WA    IN TANK
(Hint 3/3) > S   T HEROIN
(Hint 3/3) > UNDERL    EVERY ADVERB
(Hint 3/3) There is no grid in this puzzle. Stop reading all the hints.

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Highlight here to reveal the answer checker.

Comments

[jadelennox]

halp! I am being eaten!

[lorelei]

Very nice, that was fun. I had a bit of trouble with the grid, though.

(I think there's actually a typo; the 4th hint 2/3 seems to be missing a letter?)