LinkedIn PinpointAnswer & Solution
LinkedIn Pinpoint 591 Answer
LINKEDIN PINPOINT
December 12, 2025
Ash
Smoke
Battleship
Slate
Silver
Hey there, fellow puzzle enthusiasts! If you jumped into today's LinkedIn Pinpoint, you probably noticed it felt like a bit of a moody, atmospheric journey. This game is all about that "aha!" moment where a seemingly random list of objects suddenly snaps into a singular, cohesive theme. Todayās puzzle was a masterclass in using specific nouns to describe a broad visual spectrum. Letās break down exactly how these clues worked and how we navigated the fog to find the right answer.
The Solve: A Tale of Wrong Turns
When the first clue, Ash, popped up, my mind immediately went to two places: fire or nature. I was thinking maybe the theme would be "Volcanoes" or "Forest Fires." It was a bit too broad to make a definitive guess, so I held back. I even briefly considered "Trees," since Ash is a common type of wood, but that felt a bit too simple for Pinpoint.
Then came Smoke. Now, the fire connection felt even stronger. I almost typed in "Fire" or "Combustion," but I hesitated. In Pinpoint, the game usually wants something a bit more descriptive. I started to wonder if we were looking at "Things that are gray," but I wasn't 100% sure yet because Smoke can also be white or black.
The third clue, Battleship, was the real turning point. You donāt usually associate battleships with fire (unless things are going very poorly!). However, anyone who has ever looked at a box of crayons or a paint deck knows "Battleship Gray." Suddenly, the previous clues shifted from "things that happen during a fire" to "specific names for colors."
By the time Slate appeared, the pattern was undeniable. Slate is a classic color descriptor. I realized that Ash, Smoke, Battleship, and Slate weren't just objects; they were all distinct variations of the same part of the color wheel. They were all specific "shades."
When Silver arrived as the final clue, it was the victory lap. Silver is essentially just "shiny gray." Putting it all together, it was clear that the game wasn't just looking for the color "Gray," but rather the variety of ways that color manifests in the world. The answer "Shades of gray" perfectly encapsulated the light-to-dark spectrum provided by the clues.
Lessons Learned
Don't get trapped in a "Functional" mindset: When you see Ash and Smoke, it's easy to think about what they *do* (fire). Instead, try to think about what they *look like*. Often, Pinpoint clues are linked by visual attributes rather than functional ones.
Watch for Compound Phrases: Many Pinpoint clues are the first half of a common color name. "Slate gray," "Battleship gray," and "Ash gray" are all standard terms. If you can add a common word to the end of several clues, that common word is likely your theme.
Look for the Spectrum: If the clues seem to go from light to dark or small to large, you are likely looking for a category that defines a range. Here, we moved through various intensities of a single color.
Pivot Quickly: If Clue 3 doesn't fit the "story" you built with Clues 1 and 2, throw the story away. The transition from "Fire" to "Battleship" required a quick mental pivot to realize the theme was actually about color.
Expert Q&A
Why was the answer "Shades of gray" instead of just "Gray"?
While "Gray" is the base color, the clues provided (like Silver and Battleship) are specific variations or "shades" of that color. Pinpoint often looks for the most descriptive categorical name for the group.
Does the order of the clues matter in this specific puzzle?
Yes, the clues generally move from more ambiguous (Ash/Smoke) to more specific descriptors (Battleship/Slate), helping you narrow down the theme from a general idea to a specific category.
Can "Silver" be considered a shade of gray even though it's metallic?
In the context of color theory and common language, silver is essentially a metallic gray. In a word association game like Pinpoint, it serves as a "bright" anchor for the gray color palette.
How do "Battleship" and "Slate" help if I don't know much about ships or rocks?
These clues rely on "cultural color knowledge." Even if you aren't an expert in naval history, "Battleship Gray" and "Slate Gray" are very common terms used in interior design, fashion, and art supplies.
What is the best strategy when the first two clues seem to point to a different topic?
The best strategy is to wait for the third clue. Pinpoint is designed to have "decoy" themes in the first two clues. The third clue is almost always the "anchor" that clarifies which direction the puzzle is actually taking.