Welcome to the December 22 edition of NYT Pips. Today’s puzzles lean into measured logic, encouraging solvers to slow down and trust the grid rather than chase quick assumptions. Medium feels composed and readable, while Hard quietly raises the stakes.

This walkthrough focuses only on the Medium and Hard challenges, offering guidance on logic flow and decision-making without giving anything away. If you’re aiming to solve independently but want a nudge in the right direction, this should help you stay on track.

Let’s jump right into today’s challenge.

NYT Pips Hard Hints and Answer - December 21

Puzzle:
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Done!

NYT Pips Medium Hints and Answer - December 21

Step-by-step guide:

Puzzle:
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Done!

Did December 22 Pips Hard level push you to slow down?

If today’s Hard puzzle made you pause and double-check your reasoning, you weren’t alone. December 22 favored patience and clean deductions over aggressive moves. Hopefully, these hints helped you navigate the tougher moments and enjoy the solve. See you tomorrow with a fresh Pips challenge.