Initial Steps
Solution
by Ivan Wang and Tracey Lin
Each puzzle in this round is a set of cryptic clues themed around a particular mechanic. The clues are given alphabetically by answer, and solving a subset unlocks the next puzzle in the sequence. For a list of standard mechanics, see the Puzzled Pint guide.
As clued by the title, the gimmick for this puzzle is looking at specific letters - for example, the first letters (“initial” or “heads”), last letters (“finals”), etc.
Clue | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Initial advisor gets examined next to spy (5) | AGENT | Initial letters of A[dvisor] G[ets] E[xamined] N[ext] T[o] |
| Heads of government elect official representative, Greg Everett King (6) | GEORGE | Heads (first letters) of G[overnment] E[lect] O[fficial] R[epresentative] G[reg] E[verett] |
| Middle of the roads leading there, outside hell (5) | HADES | Middle letters of tHe roAds leaDing thEre outSide |
| Ted Olson eats escargot, asks for seconds (5) | LASSO | Second letters of OLson eAts eScargot aSks fOr |
| Bandit hit with flu, studying finals (4) | THUG | Final letters of [hi]T [wit]H [fl]U [studyin]G |