NGH
How do I solve the puzzle inside the box? 10 hints left

Hint 1

The goal here is to place the green shapes at the left in the space at the right in such a way that the numbers around the outside say how many green squares are in that row or column. Read to the end of this hint for a picture showing how to lay them out.

Hint 2

You'll find detailed rules for how this puzzle works in one of the pages you took from Leena's tent; it's called "Code Notes" in your inventory. The particular layout in the notes doesn't occur in this puzzle, though -- that's just an example.

Hint 3

The puzzle is made a little more difficult by the fact that you can't pick up those green pieces and try them in different spots; instead, you just click on the squares in the puzzle to turn them green, and you have to remember whether you've used that piece yet.

Hint 4

It's made a little easier by the fact that you can block off a square you know is blank by right-clicking on it. So let's do that first; blank out all the squares in the rows and columns that have zero in them.

Hint 5

Remember that no ship can touch any other ship, even diagonally. This means that as soon as you place a ship you're certain of, you can block off all the squares around it.

Hint 6

You might want to start with the longest piece(s), the one that's four spaces long. Look for a place it can go that's at least four spaces long and that needs at least a four in that row or column.

Hint 7

Here's the solution that opens the box:

Hint 8

Hint 9

Hint 10

And as for the contents of the box ... well, just hold onto it; you'll need it at the end of the game.

Guide help

This is the low-spoiler guide for "How do I solve the puzzle inside the box?" puzzle in Nancy Drew: The Shattered Medallion. Unlike in normal walkthrough, you get gradual hints on how to solve the puzzle. Click the big button below to see your first hint. If the hint contains a spoiler, you will be warned about it before clicking.

Progress

Hints written by Lynn S. HendricksBuy me a coffee
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