Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? A weekly meta crossword constructed by forum member Ben (aka benchen71). These metas range from relatively easy to more challenging, depending on how many Australianisms he puts in them! Puzzles are posted in a new thread every Tuesday, with nudges appearing on Saturdays, and the solution coming out on Mondays. (At least, that's the plan. Given he lives in Australia, and they are so far ahead of the US time-zone-wise, things may get posted early!)
Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? OK, so there are lots of entertainers out there. So no guesses! But the one you are looking for is pretty big. The answer to the meta is the full birth-name of a musical artist, so you might need Google to help you with the middle name.
And we're doing the prize thing again! Enter for your chance to win another 12 music-themed meta puzzles like this one. If you don't want to wait you can buy the pack here.
The easiest way to submit is on Crosshare (and you get instant feedback and unlimited attempts!) But you can also PM me with your submission. Either way, I'll compile a list of those who successfully solve the meta.
Last edited by benchen71 on Sun Oct 08, 2023 5:50 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
Fun grid! I managed to cross the moat but I feel like I'm missing something. I'll keep thinking on it!
Edit: I get it now!
Shannon PS: If you want help with a meta, PM what you have so I can help without spoiling too much. I've received lots of help in the beginning and I love to pay it forward!
experience has shown ben's musical taste and knowledge is not mine. Don't know if I should give up or try to follow one very likely toe-hold that seems to, with my body of knowledge, only hit a brick wall.
I'm lost too... I see a couple things that might be relevant, but I can't find the thing that cinches it all together. I can be hit or miss on music trivia, though.
Wow, only 3 solvers so far! And I thought this would be a nice "week 1" puzzle!
SamKat9
Hector
sss
I have a strong feeling that immediate nudges are required...
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
1. There are no additional hints in the grid, just 3 15-letter "nonsense" entries.
2. Those 15-letter entries all have three words.
3. If you reduce those entries to 3 initials you might recognise them as standing for other phrases. (Hey, look at that: it works with the puzzle title, too!)
3½. It turns out that the acronym VFT in the way this puzzle uses it is not that well known in the US. In Australia, VFT = VERY FAST TRAIN. NME is also a very obscure acronym, but is not necessary for the solve.
4. The reason the artist's middle name is included in the answer is simply so we end up with three words like the themers. Google will help you if you are not a fan!
5. There is confirmation for the answer in the grid. You may even get to the solve that way!
Last edited by benchen71 on Tue Oct 03, 2023 7:14 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
Cindy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 7:08 pm
Thanks for the nudges. Unfortunately I’m with Ergcat. I had already made a couple of guesses as well. Alas they were incorrect.
I've added a couple of additional nudges. Does that help at all?
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
