Once the outer edges are set, you are left with a simple 2x2 area that is much easier to manipulate.
This was patched. As of the current stable build (v1.5.48+), failing the puzzle locks the chest for a specific amount of in-game time (roughly 24 in-game hours) or until a major scene transition. Simply save-scumming no longer works. Because this exploit was removed, many players incorrectly say the "chest puzzle was patched" meaning "the easy exploit was patched out."
Understanding the "patched" reality of the CoC2 chest puzzle requires looking at the history of the mechanic, the exact nature of the developer updates, and the concrete, step-by-step methods required to solve it today without breaking your save file. The Origin of the Chest Puzzle Frustration
Interaction prompt disappeared entirely after a mid-dungeon save reload.
Continue this downward until only the bottom row remains.
There is locked behind the puzzle — it’s just a loot boost.
These puzzles remain active and are often the ones players assume have been "patched" if they cannot find the current answer:
The patch introduced randomized starting positions for the puzzle elements, meaning players can no longer rely on a static, universal "cheat code" input string.
Write down your specific riddle — it changes per save.
CoC2 is in early access, meaning further changes are expected. If a puzzle seems unsolveable, it is highly recommended to check for the latest SteamDB updates to ensure your game client is up to date, as the devs frequently tune these mechanics.