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enter image description here

What is going on with this slitherlink puzzle with clues $2^3$?

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    $\begingroup$ Suggested sub-title: an off-by-one error $\endgroup$
    – Bubbler
    Nov 3, 2020 at 2:54
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    $\begingroup$ Amazing puzzle! $\endgroup$
    – Avi
    Nov 3, 2020 at 2:55
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    $\begingroup$ That was really, really cool $\endgroup$
    – Prince North Læraðr
    Nov 3, 2020 at 2:55

1 Answer 1

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We can actually get pretty far using simple deductions, and for this reason I will not be detailing them. (I missed a few other deductions once again-- I only noticed them near the end of solving.)

Here is where I stopped: enter image description here

Note that the upper side of the 1 at Row 3 Column 8 cannot extend to the right because there would be no way for the 2 to its right to be fulfilled validly; therefore it must go upward. This forces several other lines: enter image description here

The right side of the 3 at Row 2 Column 11 must extend rightward, because if it extended downward then we would be unable to form a loop. enter image description here

When the upper side of the 2 at Row 2 Column 2 goes to the left, it will force a few lines but leave a 1 and a 2 unfulfilled: enter image description here

So it must extend downward, not leftward. At this point I noticed that the 1 at Row 11 Column 5 would actually force some lines: enter image description here

The 2 at Row 12 Column 2 cannot go downward, because we then cannot form a loop: enter image description here

And this leaves the middle region (which I did not notice I could clean up from the start). enter image description here

A $3^2$ was hiding all along :000

This was a bit easier than the earlier slitherlink posed by OP, so I was slightly more uncertain about what parts and pictures of my solving process should be included; hopefully this is sufficient.

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    $\begingroup$ +1 I am in awe of both the puzzle and the solution. This is insanely cool. $\endgroup$
    – Sciborg
    Nov 3, 2020 at 2:52
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    $\begingroup$ The last case analysis is not needed (apparently you missed a 2 in the middle waiting for a straightforward deduction). Anyway +1 for sniping me. $\endgroup$
    – Bubbler
    Nov 3, 2020 at 2:53
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    $\begingroup$ Yup-- the solve could have been quicker if I had just noticed that from the very beginning. Also agree with Sciborg (and others in The Sphinx's Lair chatroom) that it was a great puzzle :D $\endgroup$
    – oAlt
    Nov 3, 2020 at 3:01

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