1. Start from the day's theme
The tag at the top of the screen gives the secret word's theme: "Animaux" (animals), "Météo" (weather), "Métiers" (jobs), "Maison" (home)… There are about twenty themes. It is your first clue, and it is free.
Keep your first guesses inside that field. An off-topic word will very likely come back "Hors liste" (off the list), and every wrong guess weighs on your score.
2. Open with common words
The list of 100 neighbours only holds fairly frequent French words. A rare or very technical word has little chance of being on it, even if it is close in meaning.
So open with simple, central words from the theme: for "Nourriture" (food), think PAIN, FROMAGE or REPAS before BRIOCHE or GRATIN. You will refine once you have your first ranks.
3. Read the ranks like a map
The rank tells you where you stand relative to the secret word. A single-digit rank means you are at the heart of it. A rank between 50 and 100 means the right neighbourhood, but not yet the right direction.
Your guesses are sorted by rank, and "Meilleur rang" (best rank) reminds you of your best lead. Always start again from there, not from the last word you typed.
4. Climb through associations
Proximo's proximity comes from usage: two words are close if they often appear in the same contexts. Synonyms count, but so does everything that keeps the secret word company in a sentence.
From your best word, try what causes it, what follows it, what you do with it, where you find it. An opposite can rank high too, because it shows up in the same sentences. To understand this better, read how proximity works in Proximo.
5. Stop wasting guesses
Every guess that isn't the secret word costs about 30 points, ranked or "Hors liste". A few habits avoid needless losses:
- Check before you submit. The game doesn't check spelling: a typo comes back "Hors liste" and counts as a guess.
- Don't test variants. The plural or feminine of a ranked word gets the same rank.
- Forget accents. They are ignored: GRELE equals GRÊLE.
Words you already tried are refused without counting.
6. Save hints for real dead ends
The Indice (hint) button reveals words from the list starting from the bottom: #100, then #99, and so on. Each hint costs about 60 points, roughly two wrong guesses.
A hint is mostly useful when every guess comes back "Hors liste": even a word ranked #100 puts you back in the right area of meaning. Once you are on the list, your own guesses will move you forward faster and more cheaply.
7. Think about the shape of the secret word
The secret word is 5 to 10 letters long and is not a verb. It can be a noun, but also an adjective or a plural form. When you are circling the right idea, try it in those forms.
One detail can put you on the right track: other forms of the secret word are not on the list. If a word that should be very close comes back "Hors liste", try its plural, singular or feminine.
Time, without rushing
The reference time is 4 minutes: beating it earns a bonus, going well over it costs at most 250 points. But a thoughtful guess beats a fast one, since every mistake weighs too. Before you submit, ask yourself what the word will teach you: if both a good rank and "Hors liste" would leave you none the wiser, pick another candidate.
Going further
Proximo rewards regular play: the more games you finish, the better your feel for which words travel together. New to the game? Start with the Proximo rules and a walked-through game. And if proximity games are your thing, our pick of games like Cemantix has more.