I will very happily cede my next win to you, Andrew. I look forward to seeing what you've got..... expectations are high.....
But I'm not sure I understand your complaint. Previously you also said Lift 2 was unimaginative, yet that proved to be a much deeper and interesting challenge than it first seemed. Isn't that what matters? So what if it's a variation on a theme?
I'd agree with you IF I could solve the new problem by just repeating what I did in the previous one. And even though Doubleshot 2 is possibly closest to that "crime", both it and the original are the two most frustratingly difficult challenges I've yet seen here. They are both so simple that everyone can see how to solve them. It's just impossibly hard to put it into practise! With these, I expect even the veterans are having a hard time applying their vast knowledge and experience skillfully. Which puts these "challenges" in a different league altogether.
Instead, I used this year's supply of luck....... but also found the ideas and guidance from Doubleshot 1 invaluable and encouraging. I certainly put more into this one than I did the original. Likewise with Lift2, where I built 5 different solutions (including a variant on your solution for Lift1). So, for me, it's the "unimaginative" rehashes that are the more interesting challenges..........
I also think it's extremely difficult to create new and original challenges. The same few people have been carrying this forum for many months, if not years now. Everyone else here is also so experienced that I expect they've all "seen it all". Originality must be vanishingly small, and rehashes are economical when you have to build a new level so frequently. I'm just glad there is a forum still alive at all!
'nuf said already. We'll find out tomorrow if I had enough luck to get you posting a challenge!
I was about to raise the bid, when I realised you hadn't. But I'll do it anyway...... one day to go, so time to raise the ante:
1666+