None of the answers to the feeder puzzles (BUNS, DRAWER, LEEK, MAPS, NUTS, PUPILS, TRESSED, and WOLF) match the clues given in this metapuzzle. However, each of the answers forms a new word when reversed, and each of those words matches a given clue.
- Move forward (1) = FLOW
- Hull part (4) = KEEL
- Mistake (3) = SLIP-UP
- Junk Mail (2) = SPAM
- Pavlova (7) = DESSERT
- Floor (3) = STUN
- Prize (1) = REWARD
- Eschew (2) = SNUB
The numbers can be used to index into the reversed answers, for example the 1st letter of FLOW is F. Doing this for all eight answers yields the meta solution of FLIP TURN.
This metapuzzle was actually not written until after half the puzzles had been released. It was originally a more high-concept puzzle, still based on reversing the words, but not as easy to work out. It also had the flaw of barely using the feeder puzzle answers. I knew it wasn’t the best metapuzzle, though I thought it good enough to publish. However, following Fantastical Journeys dropping like a load of bricks, I knew I wanted a tighter, if not super creative, metapuzzle, and I wrote this puzzle to use the answers I already had.