How to Beat Rule 9 in The Password Game and Solve the Roman Numeral Puzzle

I have spent way too many hours staring at my screen playing Neal Agarwal’s creation, and I know exactly how frustrating it gets when your password suddenly turns red. If you have made it to Rule 9, you are dealing with the requirement that the Roman numerals in your password must multiply to exactly 35. It sounds simple on paper, but because this game loves to throw curveballs, I have found that how you solve this now will determine if you actually finish the game or get softlocked later.

Finding the Best Numbers for Rule 9

When I first hit this puzzle, I realized there are really only two ways to make the math work since 35 only has a few factors. You have two main paths to choose from:

• Option one: Use 7 and 5. In Roman numerals, that means you add VII and V to your text.
• Option two: Use 35 and 1. This means you add XXXV and I to your password.

In my experience, the first option is a total trap. It looks easier to type, but it will absolutely ruin your run once you reach the later stages.

My Secret Strategy to Avoid the Rule 18 Softlock

This is the part where most players get stuck without realizing why. Later in the game, you will hit Rule 18, which requires all the chemical symbols in your password to have atomic numbers that add up to exactly 200.

Here is why my choice for Rule 9 matters so much. In this game, every capital letter that matches an element symbol counts toward that atomic sum. If you use the VII and V solution, you are adding:

• Two instances of V: Vanadium, which has an atomic number of 23.
• Two instances of I: Iodine, which has an atomic number of 53.

That adds up to 152 points just from your Roman numerals. Since you have to stay under 200, that only leaves you 48 points for every other capital letter in your password, including your sponsors and your chess move.

I always use the XXXV and I strategy instead. Because X is not a single letter element on the periodic table, it does not count toward Rule 18. This solution only uses one V and one I, which brings your atomic cost down to 76. This gives you way more breathing room for later rules.

Formatting Your Roman Numerals Correctly

I have seen so many people get frustrated because they have the right numerals but the game still says they are wrong. The most important thing to remember is that the game is very picky about how it reads these characters.

• Always use uppercase: The game only counts capital letters as Roman numerals. If you type vii in lowercase, it will not count.
• Use a separator: If you type XXXVI, the game reads that as the number 36, not 35 and 1. I always put a period or a lowercase letter between them, like XXXV.I, to keep the game from combining them.
• Watch your other letters: If you have a capital I or V somewhere else in your password, like in a brand name or a country, it will multiply your total and break the rule. I suggest typing everything else in lowercase as much as possible.

Managing Conflicts with Future Puzzles

As you move past this, you are going to run into more complex issues. For example, Rule 16’s answer will force you to enter the best chess move in algebraic notation.

The chess move is particularly annoying because it often requires capital letters like R for Rook or N for Knight. If your chess move is Rf7+, that capital R and capital I from your Roman numerals will both be fighting for space in your atomic number budget. This is why I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep your Roman numeral characters as minimal as possible from the start.

If you find yourself stuck on a move you don’t understand, I usually just head over to a site like Lichess to plug in the board and find the answer, just make sure you use the right notation with a plus sign for a check. Keep an eye on your Roman numerals the entire time, because one small change to your password can easily turn Rule 9 red again without you noticing.

Some people are incredibly fast at this game, but they do this with practice. Your next issue may come in Rule 13. However, take some time to think things through before you get lost in your methods.