Welcome to Malazan Cryptic Crosswords!
Click on the icon above to get started! New puzzles will be released on a regular basis. More information, including hints for how to solve cryptic crosswords, can be found below.
What is a cryptic crossword?
A cryptic crossword is a crossword puzzle in which each clue is a word puzzle in and of itself. Typically, each clue contains two clues to the answer, with one part acting as a hint for the answer and the second involving some sort of wordplay that includes the answer itself.
How to solve cryptic crosswords
Cryptic crossword clues can look a little confusing or overwhelming at first. Don’t let that discourage you! The answer itself is nearly always included in the clue! In addition, there are often “indicators” for how to find that answer. We’ve included a list of the most common clue types and possible indicators below to get you started!
Want more information? You can find an in-depth how-to guide here: https://www.puzzazz.com/how-to/cryptic-crosswords
Types of clues and indicators
| Clue Types | Definition | Indicators |
| Anagram | The answer is an anagram of a word in the clue | Upset, moving, troubled, mixed up, disturbed |
| Hidden | The answer can be found within the clue | In, within, holds, contains |
| Reverse Hidden | The answer can be found reversed within the clue | back In, holds back, return |
| Initial Letters | The answer is made up of the first letters of words in the clue | Firstly, to begin with, initially, at first, starts to |
| End Letters | The answer is made up of the last letters of words in the clue | Endings, ending with, ultimately, lastly |
| Alternate Letters | The answer is made up of every other letter of words in the clue | Alternately, every other, even, odd |
| Double Definition | The clue contains two different meanings for the answer | None |
| Homophone | The answer is a homophone of a word or hint within the clue | I hear, they say, so to speak |
| Charades | The clue contains hints for each syllable/part of the answer | None |
| Container | The answer is found by placing one word within another | About, around, held in, enclose, inside, within |
| Deletion | A letter or group of letters is removed from a word to get the answer | Almost, first off, endlessly, heartless, cut short |
| Puns/Wordplay | Puns, wordplay or a twist on a common saying | Exclamation or question marks |
| Reversal | Answer is a word forward and backward; clue contains hints for both | Back, return, turned around, turned up (for down clues) |
| Repetition | The answer has letters that are repeated | Again, double, repeat, twice |
| Spoonerisms | First letter/sound of a group of words in the clue is transposed to get the answer | Spooner |
| Mobile Letter | Moving a letter within a word or from another word to get the answer | Moves, shifts, travels, strays, from start to finish, from first to last |
| Substitution | One letter is substituted for another to create a new word | Substitute, replace, swap, give way to |
| Numerals | Numbers are used to represent letters. O=0, I=1, V=5, X=10, L=50, C=100, D=500, M=1000 | Numbers in a clue, nothing, nil, zero, etc. |
What if I get stuck?
If you get stuck on a clue, each Malazan crossword puzzle has a drop down menu that allows you to reveal a hint for each clue. The hint will indicate the type of clue used from the list above to help you find the answer. Still stuck? Visit the Malazan Crossword channel on the Unabridged Burners Discord server or email us at [email protected].
Why Malazan crosswords?
Biggest Bad and Quick Jen are a couple of Malazan nerds who also happen to love cryptic crosswords. These crosswords started as word puzzles we created to try to stump each other. We quickly realized we had enough clues for an entire crossword, which led to us sharing our love of cryptic crosswords with other Malazan fans!
Blatant self-promotion
Biggest Bad is also known as the Quizmaster for the Unabridged Burners. He plans and hosts regular Malazan quiz nights for members of the Unabridged Burners Discord. Quick Jen has a YouTube channel on which she irregularly posts videos about Malazan characters and humor.
Questions? Suggestions? Unadulterated gushing about our brilliance? You can contact us at [email protected].