Strands hints for Nov 15, 2026 (#987)
Help for the Strands puzzle dated Nov 15, 2026 (#987).
Puzzle #987 · 2026-11-15
Step through the Strands hints
Theme clue: Foiled again!
5 theme words and one spangram. Reveal only the help you need.
Rows run from 1 to 8, top to bottom; columns from 1 to 6, left to right. A path may move to a neighbouring cell, including diagonally.
Layer 1 · Theme clue
Foiled again!
Layer 2 · Answer lengths and spangram direction
Theme answer lengths: 7, 5, 7, 7, 9 letters.
The spangram has 13 letters. Connects the left and right edges.
Layer 3 · Where to start looking
Choose one word without revealing the others.
Theme word 1: show a starting point
Starts with F at row 6, column 2.
Theme word 2: show a starting point
Starts with J at row 2, column 2.
Theme word 3: show a starting point
Starts with P at row 8, column 5.
Theme word 4: show a starting point
Starts with R at row 1, column 3.
Theme word 5: show a starting point
Starts with S at row 8, column 1.
Layer 4 · Individual theme answers and paths
Theme word 1: reveal answer
FIREFLY
Theme word 1: reveal path
(6, 2) → (7, 2) → (8, 2) → (8, 3) → (7, 3) → (7, 4) → (8, 4)
Theme word 2: reveal answer
JOKER
Theme word 2: reveal path
(2, 2) → (1, 2) → (1, 1) → (2, 1) → (3, 1)
Theme word 3: reveal answer
PENGUIN
Theme word 3: reveal path
(8, 5) → (7, 5) → (8, 6) → (7, 6) → (6, 5) → (5, 6) → (6, 6)
Theme word 4: reveal answer
RIDDLER
Theme word 4: reveal path
(1, 3) → (1, 4) → (2, 5) → (3, 6) → (2, 6) → (1, 5) → (1, 6)
Theme word 5: reveal answer
SCARECROW
Theme word 5: reveal path
(8, 1) → (7, 1) → (6, 1) → (5, 1) → (5, 2) → (4, 2) → (4, 3) → (4, 4) → (4, 5)
Layer 5 · Spangram help
Show the spangram’s starting point
13 letters. Starts with B at row 4, column 1.
Reveal the spangram
BATMANVILLAIN
Reveal the spangram’s path
(4, 1) → (3, 2) → (3, 3) → (2, 3) → (2, 4) → (3, 4) → (3, 5) → (4, 6) → (5, 5) → (5, 4) → (5, 3) → (6, 3) → (6, 4)
Layer 6 · Solved grid and all answers
Blue cells = theme words. Gold cells = spangram.
Theme answers: FIREFLY, JOKER, PENGUIN, RIDDLER, SCARECROW. Spangram: BATMANVILLAIN.
The displayed puzzle is Nov 15, 2026 (2026-11-15). Theme clue: Foiled again!.
Date shown for
New York puzzle date
Spangram
13 letters
Reveal path
Clue → structure → spangram → grid
Strategy tip: start by scanning the outer edges and any unusual letter clusters. In Strands, the spangram usually gives you the cleanest route into the rest of the theme.
Want a different angle? Use the Strands spangram helper to focus on the bridge word, browse the theme explorer, or jump into the archive for past dates.
Also playing today's Connections or Wordle? The reveal flow stays gradual across all three.