Evil Zinger 16: Process of Illumination (cipher)

In this Process of Illumination puzzle, the given numbers have been replaced by letters; all instances of a particular letter represent the same number, but two different letters must represent different numbers. The rules are otherwise unchanged.

(click to enlarge)

And that wraps up another batch of Evil Zingers (EZ's)! I decided to save the biggest and evilest one for last. I'd like to thank my readers for the astounding feedback they've given me, particularly on my Monday Mutant series; without you, these EZ's wouldn't exist. :)

Evil Zinger 15: Fencing Match (liars)

In this Fencing Match puzzle, exactly one number in each row and in each column is wrong. The rules are otherwise unchanged.When you can't even trust all of the clues in an Evil Zinger (EZ) to be correct, what can you trust?

Evil Zinger 14: Polyominous (cipher)

In this Polyominous puzzle, the given numbers have been replaced by letters; all instances of a particular letter represent the same number, but two different letters must represent different numbers. The rules are otherwise unchanged.
Where did all the numbers go? And why are there letters in this Evil Zinger (EZ)? Letters aren't numbers.

Evil Zinger 13: Pearls of Wisdom (total)

In this Pearls of Wisdom puzzle, black pearls and white pearls have been placed in every cell that could legally contain one. The rules are otherwise unchanged.
This Evil Zinger (EZ) features a mutation created by Thomas Snyder.

Evil Zinger 12: Blackbarrier Jam (domino)

In this Blackbarrier Jam puzzle, instead of no two black cells being allowed to share an edge, every black cell must share an edge with EXACTLY ONE other black cell. The rules are otherwise unchanged.Haven't I done this variant before? Yep. Expect more Evil Zinger (EZ) revisits of my previous ideas.

Evil Zinger 11: Polyominous (just one cell)

In this Polyominous puzzle, while multiple solutions for the whole grid exist, there is one empty cell (and only one) which can be solved with absolute certainty. Identify this one cell and the number that belongs there.
I'll let this Evil Zinger (EZ) speak for itself.

Evil Zinger 10: Crowd Nine (just one cell)

In this Crowd Nine puzzle, while multiple solutions for the whole grid exist, there is one empty cell (and only one) which can be solved with absolute certainty. Identify this one cell and the number that belongs there.
This Evil Zinger (EZ) mutation of the classic puzzle was inspired by veteran puzzlesmith Thomas Snyder.

Evil Zinger 9: Battleships

Ten ships (as indicated below the grid: one four-cell ship, two three-cell ships, three two-cell ships, and four one-cell ships) are hidden in the grid. The ships may be rotated from the orientations shown, but may not overlap or occupy cells which share a corner or an edge. A number to the right of a row or below a column indicates how many cells in that row or column are occupied by ships. Additionally, some segments of the ships are shown within the grid, and cells with wavy lines are "water" cells which cannot contain ships. Find the ships.
I turn 23 today! To celebrate, I'll be posting Monday Mutant-style Evil Zinger (EZ) puzzles throughout the day. Are you prepared for some very difficult and very mutant puzzles? Of course not! Nobody is! BWA HA HA HA! I am so evil!

Evil Zinger 8: Seek and Spell

As of now, I am officially 22 years old! Here is the final puzzle in my batch of Evil Zingers (EZ's): a Seek and Spell. The theme of this one is two-letter words. Yes, all of these are actual two-letter words; any Scrabble master can tell you that.

Rules of Seek and Spell

Evil Zinger 7: Pearls of Wisdom

The onslaught of Evil Zingers (EZ's) continues with this evil and zingy Pearls of Wisdom!

Rules of Pearls of Wisdom

Evil Zinger 6: Room and Reason

This Evil Zinger (EZ) is the most evil Room and Reason in the whole world. Be prepared to hurt your brain by making extensive use of every single rule of this genre of logic puzzles.

Rules of Room and Reason

Evil Zinger 5: Polyominous

This Polyominous is too ominous to be anything but an Evil Zinger (EZ)!

Rules of Polyominous

Evil Zinger 4: Tetra Firma

In Japan, this type of puzzle is known by the letters LITS; here, though, this puzzle can only be described as EZ! (That, of course, stands for Evil Zinger.)

Rules of Tetra Firma

Evil Zinger 3: Twincognito

Now it is time for Twincognito to receive the Evil Zinger (EZ) treatment. As Zotmeister once said about this type of puzzle, "Its logic is harsh; its observational requirements are far uglier." This, I believe, is something you will find especially true in this specimen.

Rules of Twincognito

Evil Zinger 2: Process of Illumination

Oh nooooooo, it's another Evil Zinger (EZ) puzzle!

This Process of Illumination puzzle is definitely worthy of the EZ label; its difficulty is unmatched by any other Process of Illumination on this blog.

Rules of Process of Illumination

Evil Zinger 1: Fencing Match

I turn 22 today! What better way to celebrate than with Evil Zinger (EZ) puzzles?

This EZ is a Fencing Match. I don't have much to say about it.

Rules of Fencing Match