Skyscrapers Techniques

Six techniques solve every Skyscrapers puzzle on PeerPuzzles. Clues of 1 and n and distance from a clue read the edge of the grid; one height left and one place left do most of the filling in; every arrangement and what-if take over on the bigger grids. Each page shows its technique on the same 7×7 puzzle from the game, at the moment it’s first needed, so you can follow one solve from page to page.

Hard level 1, the 7×7 every technique page follows. It takes 47 steps and needs all six techniques.

How many of the game’s levels need each one, out of 50 in each track:

Technique	Easy 5×5	Medium 6×6	Hard 7×7
Clues of 1 and n	36	33	28
One height left	50	50	50
One place left	43	49	50
Distance from a clue	50	50	50
Every arrangement	50	50	50
What if	0	0	50

“Needs” means the hints, which always use the simplest technique that works, used it at least once. For all six in one place, with another worked puzzle, see how to solve Skyscrapers.

Hard level 1, solved.

Guides

Skyscrapers: Clues of 1 and nThe first Skyscrapers technique: a clue of 1 puts the tallest building next to it, and a clue as big as the grid makes the line climb one step at a time. With a real example.
Skyscrapers: One Height LeftWhen a Skyscrapers square's row, column and notes leave it only one height, that's its height. The most used technique, with a real example.
Skyscrapers: One Place LeftWhen a height has only one place it can go in a Skyscrapers row or column, it goes there. How to spot it, with a real example.
Skyscrapers: Distance From a ClueWith a Skyscrapers clue of c, the tallest building can't stand within c − 1 squares of it. The rule behind it, and a real example.
Skyscrapers: Every Arrangement of a LineList every ordering of a Skyscrapers row or column that still matches its clues and notes; whatever every ordering agrees on is certain. With a real example.
Skyscrapers: What If? Follow a Choice to a ContradictionWhen no simpler Skyscrapers technique works, suppose a square is one of its heights, follow what it forces, and see whether something runs out of options. With a real example.