📖 Black Wall

Akari Puzzle Glossary — All Terms

Black Wall — A black wall is any dark cell in the grid that blocks light propagation. Black walls come in two types: plain walls (no number) and numbered walls.

⚙️ How It Works

Plain walls simply block light — they carry no adjacency constraints. Numbered walls enforce a specific bulb count on their neighbors. Both types stop light from passing through, which is the core spatial mechanic of Akari.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

✅ Advantages

Create the grid's spatial structure — walls define where light can and cannot go
Numbered walls provide the logical constraints that make puzzles solvable
Strategic wall placement creates interesting deduction chains

⚠️ Trade-offs

None — walls are a fundamental puzzle element, not a player tool

🎯 Who Should Use It?

Understanding wall behavior is essential for all players. Walls define the "rooms" in the grid and determine which cells can illuminate each other.

🚀 Step-by-Step Guide

Identify wall types

Look at each black cell. If it has a number, it is a numbered wall. If it is plain black, it is just a wall.

Trace light paths

From any white cell, trace in all four directions. The light stops at the first wall it hits. This tells you which bulbs can reach that cell.

Use walls strategically

Walls create "rooms" — groups of white cells that can only be lit from within. Solve each room independently.

❓ FAQ

Can light pass through a black wall?

No. Black walls completely block light. A bulb's illumination stops the moment it hits a wall in any direction.

What is the difference between a plain wall and a numbered wall?

A plain wall just blocks light. A numbered wall blocks light AND requires its adjacent white cells to contain a specific number of bulbs.

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