This is an article I started, and have been meaning to finish since Kryptik Gaming sponsored a puzzle contest. I love puzzles. I still periodically complete chess puzzles despite not actively playing the game anymore. I spend a lot of time in the Mythgard puzzle mode too, both creating and solving puzzles, but also investigating bugs or testing card interactions. I even created a series of puzzles for two of my spoiler reveals. Since the expansion is dropping in a few days, and I plan to release several puzzles, this is a great time to finally wrap this piece up.
Types of Puzzles
As I see it, there are three types of puzzles:
Tutorial - These puzzles are designed for beginners to illustrate a very specific concept or mechanic of the game. They don't contain tricks and sometimes even strongly hint at the solution. Many of the initial Mythgard puzzles are of this type.
Lethal - These puzzles are either pulled directly from a game, or are heavily inspired by a game. While they may contain a trick or two, they look and play like a real game. Riding with Eolis is an example of this.
Constructed - These puzzles look nothing like a real game. They often include impossible or improbably scenarios, fringe cards, and unusual interactions. They often require several tricks or some outside the box thinking to solve. Minmaxer's Coup is a good example of this type.
I don't believe there is a "best" type of puzzle; they all have their uses. The current iteration of the Mythgard puzzle import isn't robust enough to fully recreate most lethal puzzles. While you can often substitute cards, or add a few enchantments to simulate effects, it really detracts from what makes lethal puzzles special. For this reason, I tend to focus on constructed puzzles.
Constructing Puzzles
First off, anyone can create a Mythgard puzzle using the template below. You can make edits as necessary, copy the text to your clipboard, and click the "Import" button on the Puzzle game mode in Mythgard.
intro: Can you help Dora explore the maze?
p1 mana: 15
p1 life: 1
p1 gems: GGORRRBPY
p1 burn: true
p1 power: impel
p1 path: Turn of Seasons
p1 artifacts: orbital-jamming satelite;singing stone;singing stone;norn datacore;norn datacore;barbed bolts;
p1 hand: jaunt;Foul Harvest;amnesia;Sea Fire;carny lug;marching orders; halcyon decree;Juiced
p1 lane 1: mistwalker gate;Dora
p1 lane 2: cloud pillar peak;Maze of iyatiku
p1 lane 3: whitemoon arena;Maze of iyatiku
p1 lane 4: Treasury of Petra;Maze of iyatiku
p1 lane 5: the fast lane;Maze of iyatiku
p1 lane 6: bald Mountain;Maze of iyatiku
p1 lane 7: nazca memorial;Maze of iyatiku
p2 name: Maize
p2 portrait: Junah
p2 mana: 0
p2 life: 10
p2 gems: YYYYYPPPPP
p2 burn: false
p2 power: Impel
p2 path: Rainbow's End
p2 lane 1: Maze of iyatiku
p2 lane 2: Maze of iyatiku
p2 lane 3: Maze of iyatiku
p2 lane 4: Maze of iyatiku
p2 lane 5: Maze of iyatiku
p2 lane 6: Maze of iyatiku
p2 lane 7: Baku boogeyman
This puzzle is the fixed version (more on that later) of the puzzle I submitted for the KG contest. There is obviously a lot going on here, so how did it come about? I'm not sure how other people build my puzzles, but I'll walk you through my approach.
Start with an idea
As this puzzle was for a contest I wanted it to be thematic, in this case, Dora exploring a maze (of Mazes of Iyatiku). Often times the theme of a puzzle involves forcing a specific card interaction, or using a card in an unexpected way. For this puzzle, I needed to add a lethal.
How do you kill your opponent when all your minions have no attack? Nazca memorial. With the "key" determined, I had to build on the idea.
Adding Layers
I like adding a few extra layers to my puzzles. Ideally these layers should be used to reinforce the theme or to add to the challenge or complexity of the puzzle. Sometimes this plays out like a series of stages or levels the puzzler has to complete, while other times it's like assembling pieces of a key to finally unlock the door.
An added challenge (or frustration) for the solver is when different layers interact with each other. This leads to the situation where the destination is known, but the path through the forest has to be discovered. Conversely, some puzzles have an easy to follow path, but you have to figure out where you are going first! The Wall is an example of this. Some puzzles can be difficult on both fronts, like Minmaxer's Coup, but those puzzles are not for everyone.
Complexity is a Double-edged Sword
While adding roadblocks to a puzzle is sometimes required to prevent alternate solutions, great care should be taken whenever another layer (roadblock + solution) is added. Solutions to one layer frequently lead to unexpected alternate solutions in other layers.
Another common way to increase complexity is by adding additional cards to the puzzle not required for the solution (red herrings). This is almost impossible to do correctly, as any card that can almost achieve your desired solution has a very high chance of leading to an alternate solution. Mythgard is an incredibly complex game and the number of possible actions to account for grows incredibly fast as more cards are added to the mix.
I made the mistake of trying to add red herrings to my contest puzzle. Despite my intensive testing I missed an alternate solution that really cheapened the experience. As such, I've pretty much dropped the idea of doing it in anything but the easiest puzzles. Often, less is more.
Are Alternate Solutions Bad?
Often, but not always. There will almost always be minor variations(which order were two spells played, what open lane was attacked, etc.), but I don't consider these alternate solutions. An alternate solution is when a distinctly different action was taken from the intended solution. What is the difference between a minor variation and alternate solution?
Theme. Alternate solutions shortcut or subvert the theme of the puzzle. However, if they are designed into the puzzle they suddenly become an interest feature. For example, you could contrive a puzzle where using each different mode of Troikasect allows for a different path to victory.
It's Art
There are no "rules". I create puzzles because I enjoy the challenge and the process. And it is a great feeling when everything comes together just so. I do it for me. I appreciate it when people give them a try, but I understand puzzles aren't for everyone. But puzzles don't have to be hard to be good, or perfect to be enjoyed. So, if the idea of creating puzzles interests you, give it a try!
Tips and Tricks for Creating Puzzles
- Try to stick to one theme. Save the other cool ideas for another puzzle!
- Don't give the solver too many options (Rush minions, action/moving granting abilities, or modal cards will ruin your day)
- Don't try to be too clever. There is always cleverer, or someone that doesn't understand your cleverness and just does it the easy way instead.
- Enchantments can be used to grant abilities/stats to minions. This is normally pretty safe as they require explicit cards to remove.
- Items/Brands/Tokens and other created cards cannot currently be imported. However, Sandscape can be used for Desert tiles.
- You can't set the state of paths (Winter), but Field of Poppies is a good substitute
- You can start with up to 15 mana and the 10 max gems rule still applies, but Bela, Hopeless Necromantic, Gemstone Dwarf, and Rainbow's End allow you to be flexible with your resources
- War Fan only works if you play it or Pillage it. Otherwise it only affects freshly drawn cards
- Similarly, Oil Field only works if you play it, or it becomes freshly occupied. Otherwise it only affects newly drawn/created minions
- Marching Orders always adds an Alternate Solution
Upcoming Content
The expansion is almost here and with it you can expect a lot more content from me. I've created several puzzles with the expansion cards. Some may make an appearance in the client, but regardless I will be releasing them all. I plan to release several decklists, and there should be something for everyone: Day 1/Budget decks, new expansion decks, and updates to old favourites (AngelLoop v7!). You can also expect a few deck techs once I've confirmed decks are actually good outside of Q-mode. I will also be streaming again, starting with a pack opening/card discussion stream and some games with my favourite Q-mode decks. It's almost time for the Opening Ceremonies!