u/ChrispyK

Still working on my Xmas hunt for 4 teenagers. Unfortunately, the youngest somehow still believes in Santa, so my "Who Killed Santa" theme is out. Probably pivoting to a reindeer-themed murder mystery hunt.

Would love suggestions on any puzzle ideas that could be forensic-themed, or any gambits you have that require driving between multiple locations.

I was going to suggest an Ardruino based solution, where you can use a random number generator to generate a quick math problem (x+y*z, or something similar), but if you're using a TTRPG, you need to use dice!

How about you roll everything, and have 30 seconds to solve for: (d20+(d12*d8)-d6)/d4. You'll need to check the answer on your phone, but TTRPGs are already known for helping people get quick with simple math problems.

I would recommend some game/task that is skill based, but nobody has ever tried before. Just whoever has the most natural talent at whatever low stakes thing you can think of. Maybe something like geoguessr?

That's frustrating. That said, you've only asked for RSVPs today, give your friends a day or two to respond.

Let's be pessimists and assume the worst: You only get ~5 people who play your game. If your game relies on a larger group of players, you can either reschedule to a less congested date, or reskin your puzzles and push the event to another time entirely. Either way, your efforts are not wasted.

I'm of the opinion that if the people who asked for the game are bowing out, it's their loss. Focus on making things special for your players, that's all that's worth focusing on.

I'm starting on my Xmas hunt as well. Currently trying to factory reset my old phone so I can load clues/puzzles on it.

Scotch tape glows under blacklight. Could be good for leaving arrows/messages on the walls/ceiling, and wouldn't be noticed until they found a blacklight, even if they had other flashlights.

What's the onboarding? How will people know that there's a puzzle in the first place?

You're at home with a baby? Put the duck inside the top clean diaper.

Check out Escape This Podcast, the most recent episode was an audio escape room where you could select a character role, which had stats that affected your playthrough. It was very interesting puzzle design.

How can I format each clue so they're satisfyingly chalenging, yet effective in that they leave no doubt where the next clue will be?

I read your question two different ways. First off, you want tips on how to remove ambiguity from your clues. So, don't do riddles, or any other puzzle with a potentially ambiguous solution. There are lots of ways to do this, and many great options have been shared below. Happy to share a few more if you'd like more options.

But I also read your question as maybe shooting for the wrong goal. You're asking for appropriate challenge. But are you looking to challenge your partner, or are you looking to build a fun experience for your partner? Asked another way, would you rather this hunt be challenging, or fun? Challenge can be a component of fun, but don't mistake challenge as the think you're trying to build. My advice is to make sure this hunt has novelty, whimsey, and some sort of personal connection to your partner.

To effectively execute on challenge, please playtest your puzzles. Feel free to use the Constructed Adventures discord channel (we have a dedicated playtesting channel), but also try your puzzles out on your friends. It's easy to make a puzzle too hard, since your brain is not accessible to your solvers.

That one is in a location where paint, or another quick-drying, light blocking, and/or caustic liquid could be poured on the solar panel from above. Just an observation, obviously not advocating any action be taken.

I got you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJed8t7kxO8

A good, cheap lockbox is a briefcase from a local thrift shop. I like to use mine to hold several puzzles (one for a lock combo, one that leads to a location, and maybe another part that goes to a future puzzle) Just make sure you can open it before you buy it, or you'll need to brute force through 999 combinations to open it up!

/r/constructedadventures

If you're looking to build parts of your proposal this yourself and/or do this proposal across multiple locations, x-post this to the community who builds those type of hunts. Good luck!

If you're looking through Goodwills, check for briefcases. Those come with 3-digit number locks built in!

Otherwise, it's not too hard to install a hasp on any hinged box that fits your specifications.

There are no tomatoes, but I can't recall what other veggies are in there. Please help me win my workplace salsa contest!

My favorite halloween gambit is: Scotch tape glows under blacklight. Use that to put messages/arrows on the walls/ceilings, works very well with a blacklight flashlight.

I might also suggest modifying Romeo/Juliet/West Side Story and have star-crossed vampire/werewolf lovers for a theme. You could leave hidden letters in caches, and the cipher to decode it would be in universe. You should probably also watch the Twilight movies to see what inspirations you get from the source material.

Nope, not in there. I might have found it, but not 100%.

Nioh 2 - Majesty

I've got the Dragon Age Inquisition soundtracks, but I don't hear it in there yet. Will report back once I've thumbed through all 58, lol.

If you think you know the game, I'm happy to search the soundtrack myself, if it's a part of my collection.

Sure! No need to ask, please share if you're interested.

I've been getting my ideas together on this, and I have a few tips and puzzle ideas for you!

• Build the hunt Linear. No branching paths, nothing to divide their attention.

• Minimize word puzzles, (literacy pending, you know your kid)

• Use things they're more familiar with (colors, people, foods, etc)

• If you have a puzzle with multiple parts, color code each part. Do everything you can to avoid ambiguity.

And here are some puzzles:

• Jigsaws are good, but consider taking an extra step and drawing a picture on the back of it to a recognizable place/object.

• Put this thing back where it came from (tidying up) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-b7ZAfiuNs

• If they know their ABCs, try a "What letter comes next?" puzzle, where they do a +1 Caesar cipher. Warning, your message can't include the letter A.

• Emphasize cool moments, not everything has to be a puzzle! (Blacklight, freeze key in block of ice, hide a clue in a balloon, etc)

• Shapes can be used to clue a number lock, just tell them to count the sides.

• Opposite puzzle (Stop Above Day Dark -> Go Under Night Light)

• Dot to dot picture of a recognizable object/location

• https://www2.tinkergarten.com/activities has a lot of activity suggestions, it can be a great jumping off point to browse through this site to see what you think your kid would enjoy.