Strands October 29, 2026: Answers, Spangram & Hints (#1164)
Recap
This puzzle required solvers to tap into their knowledge of fantasy and magical elements, using a Shakespearean quote as a guide. The theme words were cleverly hidden in the grid, and the spangram added an extra layer of challenge. Solvers had to think creatively to connect the dots between the theme words and the magical context.
The official theme clue
Double, double toil and trouble
Printed above the board in the app itself that day — the line that decided which of the many words hiding in the grid actually counted.
Strands hints, one rung at a time
Six rungs, softest first. The recap above already named the answers, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying the board fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.
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Hint 1: What the theme was getting at
A reading of the theme. No answers.
The theme appears to be related to witchcraft and fantasy creatures, evoking a sense of mysticism and magic.
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Hint 2: The category, said plainly
The same idea, unhedged.
Category is related to fantasy and magical elements often found in folklore.
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Hint 3: Board facts: how many words, how long
Counted off the grid.
The board was 6 letters wide and 8 tall. 8 theme answers were hidden in it, plus the spangram, which ran side to side and was 8 letters long.
- Theme word 1
- 4 letters
- Theme word 2
- 4 letters
- Theme word 3
- 5 letters
- Theme word 4
- 6 letters
- Theme word 5
- 6 letters
- Theme word 6
- 6 letters
- Theme word 7
- 4 letters
- Theme word 8
- 5 letters
- Spangram
- 8 letters, side to side
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Hint 4: One clue per word, easiest first
Crossword-style.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
Small, often burrowing invertebrate creature
Theme word 2 (4 letters)
Type of small salamander often associated with magical folklore
Theme word 3 (5 letters)
Slithering reptile commonly found in various mythologies
Theme word 4 (6 letters)
Reptile often associated with mystical or magical contexts
Theme word 5 (6 letters)
Body part used for tasting and speaking
Theme word 6 (6 letters)
Small hollow sphere of liquid or gas
Theme word 7 (4 letters)
Element often used in magical rituals and spells
Theme word 8 (5 letters)
Vital fluid in many mythological and magical practices
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Hint 5: First two letters of every theme word
Enough to start tracing.
- Theme word 1
- WO… (4 letters)
- Theme word 2
- NE… (4 letters)
- Theme word 3
- SN… (5 letters)
- Theme word 4
- LI… (6 letters)
- Theme word 5
- TO… (6 letters)
- Theme word 6
- BU… (6 letters)
- Theme word 7
- FI… (4 letters)
- Theme word 8
- BL… (5 letters)
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Hint 6: What the spangram meant
The long one that tied the board together.
Large pot used for brewing or boiling, often associated with witches and magic.
It touched both edges, running side to side across all 6 columns.
The starting letter board
The grid as printed, 6 across and 8 down. Read only — reveal an answer below and this board traces it.
Every Strands answer and the spangram
Every answer from that board, folded. Opening one traces its path above — the spangram in gold.
Theme word 1 · 5 letters
BLOOD
Vital fluid often used in magical rituals and spells for its life-giving properties and symbolism.
Theme word 2 · 6 letters
BUBBLE
Small hollow sphere of liquid or gas, can be used in magical contexts for divination or illusion.
Theme word 3 · 4 letters
FIRE
Element used in many magical rituals for purification, transformation, or destruction.
Theme word 4 · 6 letters
LIZARD
Reptile often associated with mystical or magical contexts, symbolizing renewal or transformation.
Theme word 5 · 4 letters
NEWT
Small salamander often used in magical potions and spells for its perceived mystical properties.
Theme word 6 · 5 letters
SNAKE
Slithering reptile commonly found in various mythologies, symbolizing transformation, renewal, or danger.
Theme word 7 · 6 letters
TONGUE
Body part used for tasting and speaking, can be associated with magical communication or deception.
Theme word 8 · 4 letters
WORM
Small, often burrowing invertebrate creature used in magical contexts for its symbolism of transformation or decay.
Spangram · 8 letters, side to side
CAULDRON
Large pot used for brewing or boiling, often associated with witches and magic for concocting potions.
This puzzle by the numbers
- Puzzle
- (#1164) · Thursday, October 29, 2026
- Theme answers
- 8 plus the spangram
- Board
- 6 × 8 letters
- Answer lengths
- 4–6 letters
- Spangram
- 8 letters, side to side
- Difficulty
- medium for a weekday board
- Valid non-theme words
- 735 accepted for hints
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