Magic Sort Level 87 Pattern Overview
The Overall Puzzle Structure
At the start of Level 87, players are presented with a grid of colored liquids in bottles, arranged in two rows. The top row consists of several bottles, each containing a different colored liquid, some of which are already sorted into distinct layers. The bottom row also has bottles, but these are mostly empty or contain only a single color. The core mechanic involves pouring liquids from one bottle to another. The objective is to match the colors in the top row, creating complete, distinct color layers in each bottle. This level fundamentally tests the player's ability to strategically pour liquids, manage limited space, and plan several moves ahead to achieve the target color arrangements.
The Key Elements at a Glance
- Bottles: The primary containers holding the liquids. Each bottle has a limited capacity, and the liquids must be poured carefully to avoid mixing incompatible colors or overfilling.
- Colored Liquids: The core puzzle elements. These come in various colors like green, yellow, red, brown, blue, and pink. The goal is to consolidate identical colors into single bottles with distinct layering.
- Question Marks (?): These indicate empty slots or incomplete color layers within the bottles in the top row. The player must fill these with the correct colors to complete the level.
- Pouring Mechanism: The drag-and-drop interface that allows players to transfer liquids between bottles. This mechanic is crucial for rearranging the colors.
Step-by-Step Solution for Magic Sort Level 87
Opening: The Best First Move
The most strategic opening move is to take the brown liquid from the partially filled bottle in the top row and pour it into the empty bottle on the far right of the bottom row. This action immediately frees up the top bottle, creating space and allowing for more flexibility in subsequent moves. It also begins the process of isolating colors, which is key to solving the puzzle.
Mid-Game: How the Puzzle Opens Up
After the initial pour, the next critical step is to address the yellow liquid. Pour the yellow liquid from the second bottle in the top row into the now empty bottle in the bottom row. This clears the way for further sorting in the top row. Subsequently, transfer the green liquid from the first bottle in the top row into the third bottle in the bottom row. This move is vital as it allows for the manipulation of the other colors in the top row without immediately mixing the green. The strategy here is to consolidate colors into the bottom row bottles that can then be used to fill the gaps in the top row.
As the puzzle progresses, the player needs to carefully transfer the brown liquid to the bottle that already contains brown in the top row, creating a solid brown layer. Then, the red liquid from the top row is poured into the bottom-most bottle on the left, which already contains red. This completes the red layer in that bottom bottle. The blue liquid then needs to be moved from the top row to the bottom row bottle that also contains blue, completing that color.
End-Game: Final Cleanup and Completion
The final stages involve using the liquids in the bottom row to fill the remaining gaps in the top row. The player will then transfer the yellow liquid from the bottom row into the yellow bottle in the top row. The green liquid from the bottom row is then poured into the green bottle in the top row. The brown liquid from the bottom row goes into the brown bottle in the top row. Finally, the orange liquid from the top row is poured into the last remaining empty slot in the bottom row, which contains orange. The last move involves pouring the pink liquid from the top row into the bottle containing pink in the bottom row, completing the level.
Why Magic Sort Level 87 Feels So Tricky
The Illusion of Direct Transfer
One of the primary challenges in Level 87 is the temptation to directly transfer colors to their corresponding top-row slots immediately. Players might see a green liquid in the top row and try to pour it directly into a green-filled bottom bottle, assuming it's the most efficient route. However, the game's subtle constraint is that you can only pour a liquid if the destination bottle has space and the top layer of the destination bottle is either empty or the same color. This means that sometimes, you need to use intermediate bottles in the bottom row as temporary holding places before the final pour into the top row. Misjudging this can lead to mixing unwanted colors or blocking critical pouring paths, forcing restarts or undo actions. The solution lies in understanding that the bottom row bottles are not just for receiving, but also act as a crucial staging area.
The Subtle Complexity of Layering
The visual representation of liquids in layers can be deceptive. Players might assume that as long as a bottle has a space at the top, any liquid can be poured into it. However, Magic Sort adheres to a strict rule: you can only pour liquid into a bottle if the top layer of that bottle is either empty or the same color. In Level 87, this becomes a problem when attempting to fill partially filled bottles in the top row. For instance, if a bottle has green at the bottom and an empty space above, you can pour green into it. But if it has green at the bottom and yellow above, you cannot pour more green into it. The tricky part is recognizing that sometimes, you might need to pour a different color out of a top bottle to access a lower layer, or use the bottom row to temporarily hold an intermediate color to allow for a pour into a layered bottle. The key to overcoming this is observing the precise layering within each bottle and planning pours that respect these boundaries, often requiring a strategic use of the bottom row to temporarily store colors.
The Red Herring of Similar Colors
While not an explicit trap, the presence of multiple bottles with similar or complementary colors can be a minor distraction. For example, the red and orange liquids, or the various shades of purple, might momentarily confuse players into making incorrect pours if they're not paying close attention to the exact shade and its target destination. The key here is to identify the specific target color for each bottle in the top row and ensure that only that color is poured into it. There are no "lookalike" colors that are intentionally misleading in this level, but the sheer number of bottles and colors requires a focused approach to prevent accidental misplacements. Double-checking the color you are about to pour and the intended destination is paramount to avoid minor setbacks.
The Logic Behind This Magic Sort Level 87 Solution
From the Biggest Clue to the Smallest Detail
The fundamental logic of solving Level 87, and many other similar Magic Sort levels, is to work from the most constrained elements to the least constrained. The "biggest clue" here are the bottles in the top row that are already partially filled with distinct layers. These represent the most immediate targets for completion. The strategy is to clear out the liquids that can be easily moved to the bottom row to make space. Then, focus on consolidating the colors in the bottom row that will eventually be used to fill the top row. This often involves moving a color to a temporary holding bottle in the bottom row, allowing you to then pour another color from the top row into its correct position. The smallest detail to pay attention to is the exact level of liquid in each bottle, ensuring that you don't overfill and that you respect the color layering rules when pouring. The process essentially becomes: free up space, consolidate target colors in the bottom row, and then use those consolidated colors to complete the top row.
The Reusable Rule for Similar Levels
The core rule that can be reused for similar Magic Sort levels is the "strategic use of intermediate storage." This means recognizing that the empty or partially filled bottles in the bottom row are not just passive recipients but active tools for sorting. When faced with a situation where direct pouring is impossible due to layering or lack of space, the solution often involves using a bottom-row bottle as a temporary holding zone. Pour a liquid into a bottom bottle, then use the now-freed-up top bottle to perform another necessary pour, and eventually, pour the liquid from the bottom bottle into its final destination. This strategy applies to any level where liquids need to be sorted into specific containers with layering rules, especially when the available containers are limited or have pre-existing arrangements that must be respected. Always look for opportunities to use available space, even if it seems like an indirect route, to achieve the overall goal of isolating and stacking colors correctly.
FAQ
How do I pour liquids in Magic Sort?
You pour liquids in Magic Sort by tapping and holding on the source bottle and then dragging it to the destination bottle. The liquid will flow as long as the destination bottle has space and its top layer is either empty or the same color as the liquid you are pouring.
What happens if I make a mistake in Magic Sort?
If you make a mistake, you can often use the "undo" button to reverse your last move. If you need to restart the level completely, there is usually a restart option available.
Why can't I pour liquid into a bottle?
You cannot pour liquid into a bottle if it is already full, or if the color you are trying to pour does not match the color of the top layer in the destination bottle. You can only pour into a bottle if the top layer is either empty or the same color.