Crossclimb 861 Answer & Solution Guide
Answer: RULE BOOK
Puzzle Overview
Today's Crossclimb puzzle #861 starts with RULE and ends with BOOK. The theme clue describes something that comes with a complex board game and explains how to play, which points to a rule book.
The five middle answers are ROLE, HOLE, HOLD, HOOD, and HOOK. Each rung changes exactly one letter from the previous word, building a clean path from RULE to BOOK.
Complete Word Ladder
| Position | Word | Clue |
|---|---|---|
| Top | RULE | First half of the final phrase |
| 1 | ROLE | Part to play in a project or organization |
| 2 | HOLE | One of eighteen on a typical golf course |
| 3 | HOLD | "Please ___" (don't hang up the phone) |
| 4 | HOOD | Feature of a raincoat that covers the head |
| 5 | HOOK | Captain ___ (Peter Pan character, whose name is also something attached to his arm) |
| Bottom | BOOK | Second half of the final phrase |
Player Solution Walkthrough
Step 1: Understanding the Puzzle
The clue points to an object that explains a board game's instructions. A complex game often comes with a rule book, so RULE BOOK is the phrase to keep in mind while solving the ladder.
Step 2: Starting from the Top
"Part to play in a project or organization" gives ROLE. It connects neatly to RULE by changing the second letter.
Step 3: Moving Through the Middle
"One of eighteen on a typical golf course" is HOLE, changing the first letter from ROLE. Then "Please ___" gives HOLD, a common phone phrase.
Step 4: Connecting to the Bottom
"Feature of a raincoat that covers the head" gives HOOD. From there, HOOK follows from the Peter Pan clue, and HOOK changes one letter to reach BOOK.
Step 5: Answer
The full ladder is:
RULE -> ROLE -> HOLE -> HOLD -> HOOD -> HOOK -> BOOK
That makes the final answer RULE BOOK.
Word Reference
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| RULE | A regulation, instruction, or principle to follow |
| ROLE | A part, function, or responsibility someone has |
| HOLE | An opening, hollow place, or golf target area |
| HOLD | To wait, pause, or keep something in place |
| HOOD | A covering for the head, often attached to a coat |
| HOOK | A curved device for catching or hanging things |
| BOOK | A written or printed work, often bound into pages |
FAQ
Q1: What is the answer to Crossclimb 861?
The answer is RULE BOOK.
Q2: What is the full word ladder?
The full ladder is RULE -> ROLE -> HOLE -> HOLD -> HOOD -> HOOK -> BOOK.
Q3: How many middle answers are there?
There are five middle answers: ROLE, HOLE, HOLD, HOOD, and HOOK.
Q4: Why does RULE BOOK fit the clue?
A rule book explains how to play a board game, especially one with complex instructions.
Q5: What is the trickiest clue?
HOOK may be the trickiest because the clue uses both Captain Hook's name and the object attached to his arm.
Strategy Tips
- Use the theme clue to predict the final phrase before solving every rung.
- Check short common words first, especially familiar patterns like HOLE, HOLD, and HOOD.
- Confirm each neighboring pair changes only one letter.
- Watch for pop culture clues that also define the word directly.
- Use the top and bottom rows together to validate the final answer.