User:Sabuli/Runes
Some ideas for solving an Alchemist Runes puzzle
I'm using my own puzzle to illustrate the explanation
Add the numbers in the rows and columns rows. If some add up to 10 they are good starting points. That means those rows and columns are complete, have no holes. In this case the row 4 and the columns 3 and 9. Fill those rows and columns. (MARKED IN RED IN THE IMAGE)
For example, let's look at the rule for row 4 (4th "across" rule) It has a white one, a yellow 2, a blue 4 and a yellow 3. Put in that row one white rune (pin the window for color selection), 2 yellow, 4 blue and 3 yellow. That row is completely filled. No holes.
How to continue? Look, for example, to the rule for row 7 (MARKED IN YELLOW IN THE IMAGE). It adds up to 9 so it means that there is a hole... But it starts with blue AND THE RULE FOR COLUMN ONE HAS NO BLUE. That means the hole is in the first column. Fill the other 9 positions...
Now look at row 9... It starts with 2 whites and 2 blues (MARKED IN PURPLE IN THE IMAGE). But we already have a blue in the 3rd position... So the 2 first have to be white and the 4th blue. What about the 4 consecutive whites? Looking at the column 10 rule, a white cannot be there, so they go in 6-7-8-9
Now we have completed 3 rows and 2 columns. Look at column 2 rules and you will see that column only can be filled in one way now, so we have 3 rows and 3 columns.
And so... I hope this gives an idea and helps to solve other alchemist runes.