Momoken's "What Comes Next" Puzzle Series

Introduction

Have you ever been frustrated with your puyo progress because you hit a wall in your ability and can't seem to set off your chain without everything detonating all around you? Well, with any luck, this section might be able to give you a few pointers!

The following problems were created by pro puyo player momoken and have been reproduced here with his permission. They were originally posted on the site eSports Runner and can be found at esports-runner.com slash puyopuyo slash momoken_next1. The problems are aimed at beginner to intermediate level players, but even stronger players may learn something new.

Example

NEXT pieces are displayed at the top of column 4, and NEXT2 pieces in column 6. For example, in the diagram above, the NEXT piece is two reds and NEXT2 two yellows.

"What Comes Next?" Momoken Style

Question No. 1

Difficulty: Intermediate

Solution

Momoken's Explanation:

You shouldn't place the reds vertically in column 2 because it creates a trench.

Putting them horizontally in columns 2 and 3 is bad because you're leaving a point where the reds can't be linked.

Question No. 2

Difficulty: Intermediate

Solution

Momoken's Explanation:

Placing RY horizontally in columns 4 and 5 is bad because after RB in columns 5 and 6, you're left with a trench in column 6.

Question No. 3

Difficulty: Intermediate

Solution

Momoken's Explanation:

If you place the red in column 3, it's bad form for creating an avalanche, so you're best placing it in column 4 and stabilizing your chain, stacking until you have a good avalanche setup.

Bad avalanche form	Good avalanche form

Question No. 4

Difficulty: Intermediate

Solution

Momoken's Explanation:

The reds should go to the side to add to the tail. Putting them in column 2 creates a trench around the transition, so that's bad. Column 6 is better than column 3 because it allows for more scope to add the blues to the chain. Additionally, it's easier to build your second transition when the opposite side is stacked higher.

Extending the chain with a tail using the reds and blues

Question No. 5

Difficulty: Beginner

Solution

Momoken's Explanation:

This one tests your recognition of the three Sandwich forms (see below). Keep on practicing until you can construct each of them without hesitation.

The three Sandwich forms

Question No. 6

Difficulty: Beginner

Solution

Momoken's Explanation:

For GTR, you should spread the tail out flat, horizontally.

Putting the blues vertically in column 5 isn't good because you leave column 6 with a trench, plus the yellows become easier to trigger accidentally.

Question No. 7

Difficulty: Intermediate

Solution

Momoken's Explanation:

As a rule, the transition takes priority.

Reason 1: Trying to add to the tail creates cuts. (Standing the yellows up in column 1 will leave you weak to harrassments.)

Reason 2: By laying a group of three puyos flat for your transition, you create two connection points, which allows for greater flexibility.

Question No. 8

Difficulty: Beginner

Solution

Momoken's Explanation:

You can make use of all the puyos if you work towards a "Dearis" tail. For more information on "Dearis", see esports-runner.com slash puyopuyo slash rensalist_dearisu.

Question No. 9

Difficulty: Beginner

Solution

Momoken's Explanation:

L-Shape is the initial aim, but that's difficult here given the pieces so you should change form. You're best off making a powered 5 with the blues using the height difference (see below).

Trying Submarine will create cuts so it's best avoided with this shape.

(More problems coming soon! Progress: 9/77)