Wiki:Page Structure/Elements

This guide depicts the standard format for all element pages currently on and to be added to this wiki. While some elements may require additional information, or reduced coverage in the described areas, we recommend future page creators begin with the following as a base.

Basic Information

Element pages are a bit more difficult to standardize than hunts or puzzles, as we have a wide range of what constitutes an "element". As such, this guide is only going to be a baseline, with a few notes for specific cases.

Most of the information given on an element page should be explaining the element in as much detail as possible, and describing the forms it may take within a puzzle. Avoid using specific examples, as there should be a separate section beyond the basic information for notable ones. If an element is a puzzle type, for example, explain how that puzzle type works, and provide visual examples of a puzzle and solution. This should be especially true for logic puzzles, in which a visual can dramatically increase the reader's understanding of the mechanics.

As many elements are topics that may be covered on other wikis (such as Wikipedia), do not be afraid to link to other wikis when summarizing a particular topic. Since these pages should not replace the need for other wiki research, summaries should stay relatively minimal, and should definitely not plagiarize already-existing lists or wiki articles.

Notable Examples

Since categorization around elements is done via puzzle pages, element pages should not have much for categorization beyond grouping together similar types (such as Logic Puzzles or Physics Topics). Instead, the focus should be on notable examples of an element's use, puzzles that either were the first to use a particular element in a hunt, or utilized it in a way that hadn't be done before. Since notability is subjective, check with a senior editor when unsure, but otherwise trust your own judgement. If an editor deems a particular puzzle's use non-notable, it will be removed at no detriment to you.

Example

The following is an example of a properly-structured Element page.

Masyu (ましゅ, Mashu, IPA [maɕu͍]; translates as "evil influence") is a type of path-drawing logic puzzle designed and published by Nikoli. It is played on a rectangular grid of squares, some of which contain circles; each circle is either "white" (empty) or "black" (filled). The goal is to draw a single continuous non-intersecting loop that properly passes through all circled cells. The loop must "enter" each cell it passes through from the center of one of its four sides and "exit" from a different side; all turns are therefore 90 degrees.

An unsolved Masyu puzzle.

Solution to the above Masyu example.

The two varieties of circle have differing requirements for how the loop must pass through them:

• White circles must be traveled straight through, but the loop must turn in the previous and/or next cell in its path.
• Black circles must be turned upon, but the loop must travel straight through the next and previous cells in its path.

Variations include those that involve grey circles, which either are ambiguously white or black, or signify a turn that is not 90 degrees, and puzzles in which certain spaces are required to be visited by the path.

Notable Examples

• Notable Masyu Puzzle 1
• Notable Masyu Puzzle 2
• Notable Masyu Puzzle 3
• Notable Masyu Puzzle 4