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The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 4:18 pm
by CromsFury
The end of an era, folks.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/departure- ... 6-de057e8a
*I’m not crying…I’m not crying*
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 4:41 pm
by DavyGravy
How do you know that?
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 5:47 pm
by Jace54
Wow, that is sad to hear it is their last cryptic! That explains the puzzle title. Their puzzles are brilliant and creative.
A tough slog here but rewarding to finally finish. Several new words to me in this grid. Really liked the clues for 11A, 3D, and 24D.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 6:41 pm
by DavyGravy
How do you it’s their last cryptic? Just from the title and instructions? Or somewhere else?
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 7:21 pm
by CromsFury
It was announced a few months ago and confirmed by Mike Shenk in October.
https://www.facebook.com/share/fncit3W6 ... tid=K35XfP
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 10:28 pm
by ChrisKochmanski
That was work!
And very satisfying to complete.
Though so sad to learn of HEX’s retirement. Having basically learned to do variety cryptics via The Atlantic’s “Puzzler” those many years ago, I feel like a part of my own puzzling history is falling away.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 10:42 pm
by Meg
I’m sad. I learned how to do cryptics from them decades ago. This puzzle was a good challenge! Finally got the last entry.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 2:18 am
by oldjudge
Thanks to Meg for pointing out the puzzle to me. Lots of fun —I sure will miss these two; they are great setters.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 6:45 am
by DCBilly
I agree this was a very satisfying and tough challenge. Since the archive went up at coxrathvon.com I have frequently printed out an old Hex crypic and solved (or in some cases re-solved) it. They are quite difficult even if I sometimes recognize them from prior experience.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 9:26 am
by Richard B.
A fitting test as a send-off.
Enjoy retirement Emily and Henry! You have given us many years of challenging fun. We will miss you.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 10:25 am
by SewYoung
Still puzzling over 16,18 and 19D. Looked up lists of the relevant things to try to suss out my missing letters. Will keep looking at it off and on and maybe will finish up tonight. I really do hate to see Emily and Henry go! Have enjoyed them since I discovered cryptics.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 2:19 pm
by Jeanrosz
Need hel on 16d and 18 d…. I see all the bot references but I get no help on acrosses.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 2:20 pm
by Jeanrosz
Jeanrosz wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 2:19 pm
Need help on 16d and 18 d…. I see all the boat references but I get no help on acrosses.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 2:51 pm
by Jeanrosz
Jeanrosz wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 2:20 pm
Jeanrosz wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 2:19 pm
Need help on 16d and 22d.
I see all the boat references but I get no help on acrosses.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 4:19 pm
by Barney
Yup nope
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 8:53 pm
by SewYoung
SewYoung wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 10:25 am
Still puzzling over 16,18 and 19D. Looked up lists of the relevant things to try to suss out my missing letters. Will keep looking at it off and on and maybe will finish up tonight. I really do hate to see Emily and Henry go! Have enjoyed them since I discovered cryptics.
Still haven't figured out those three. Have finally figured out 13 of the 14 letters that have left the clues. Well, I know all 14 and figured out the phrase, just don't know which word or which clue (from 25 through 31 A) it is absent from.
A slight nudge on any of those would be appreciated.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 10:45 pm
by DavyGravy
These guys are absolute puzzle legends going all the way back to the Atlantic. They should be in the puzzle constructors Hall of Fame - right along side Patrick, Mike, and Matt.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 10:42 am
by KayW
So bittersweet to complete my last new (to me) Hex. I am another solver who cut my cryptic teeth on these masters. I’m hoping to find some older ones from time to time to enjoy, and looking forward to the new (again to me) cryptic constructors the WSJ will be bringing in.
A brilliant swan song. For some reason 29A Was the last to fall for me- with a solid head slap.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 12:22 pm
by Joepickett
I've never understood the appeal of these. I google synonyms and use anagram solvers and still can't more than a couple of words.
Re: The Final WSJ Hex Cryptic
Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 12:45 pm
by Joepickett
Joepickett wrote: ↑Sun Dec 17, 2023 12:22 pm
I've never understood the appeal of these. I google synonyms and use anagram solvers and still can't more than a couple of words.
I spent way too much time on the second across clue before I realized that it was missing a letter. Yes the directions mentioned that letters have gone missing but I find it very difficult to determine which words are changed. Anyway I'm a curmudgeon.
