Rung #36: BOMB to VIEW — the solution

The Rung ladder from September 19, 2026: BOMB to VIEW, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 6, with one two-letter leap in hand.

The puzzle

Climb from BOMB to VIEW. Par is the shortest climb through the whole accepted dictionary, counting the leap — two letters changed in one move, once, at the cost of two rungs — so it cannot be beaten. The leap does not shorten this one: 6 rungs is the shortest climb with or without it.

The walkthrough

A climb that makes par, one of 54 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. BOMB → BOAB — the third letter, M becomes A.
2. BOAB → BOAS — the fourth letter, B becomes S.
3. BOAS → BIAS — the second letter, O becomes I.
4. BIAS → VIAS — the first letter, B becomes V.
5. VIAS → VIES — the third letter, A becomes E.
6. VIES → VIEW — the fourth letter, S becomes W.

Other routes as short: BOMB · TOMB · TOMS · TOES · TIES · VIES · VIEW; BOMB · TOMB · TOMS · TOES · VOES · VIES · VIEW; BOMB · BIBB · BIBS · VIBS · VIES · VIEW; and more.

The answer

BOMB · BOAB · BOAS · BIAS · VIAS · VIES · VIEW — 6 rungs.

Previous: Rung #35 (Fri, Sep 18) · Next: Rung #37 (Sun, Sep 20) · All Rung solutions

About Rung

Rung is Noggin’s daily word ladder: four letters that day, five now, one changed at a time, par set by the shortest climb there is. Any real word is a rung; a two-letter leap is yours once a day, and a hint when you are stuck. How to play Rung, or play today’s.