feat(loldle): tunable max guesses per subject + retuned defaults

Drop classic loldle from 8 → 6 (7-axis grid leaks too much per guess for 8
to feel earned) and emoji from 5 → 4 (3 emojis are usually unmistakable).
Add a hidden /<module>_setmax <n> command per loldle module so a chat can
override its own round length (1-10). Override stored at config:<subject>
in each module's KV; getMaxGuesses() falls back to the default when unset.

src/modules/loldle-ability/handlers.js

@@ -9,7 +9,16 @@
 import { escapeHtml } from "../../util/escape-html.js";
 import abilitiesData from "./abilities.json" with { type: "json" };
 import { findChampion } from "./lookup.js";
-import { MAX_GUESSES, clearGame, loadGame, loadStats, recordResult, saveGame } from "./state.js";
+import {
+  MAX_GUESSES_CAP,
+  clearGame,
+  getMaxGuesses,
+  loadGame,
+  loadStats,
+  recordResult,
+  saveGame,
+  setMaxGuesses,
+} from "./state.js";
 
 const POOL = abilitiesData.filter((c) => c.abilities && c.abilities.length > 0);
 
@@ -57,14 +66,14 @@ async function startFreshGame(db, subject) {
   return fresh;
 }
 
-async function getOrInitGame(db, subject) {
+async function getOrInitGame(db, subject, maxGuesses) {
   const existing = await loadGame(db, subject);
-  if (existing && existing.guesses.length < MAX_GUESSES) return existing;
+  if (existing && existing.guesses.length < maxGuesses) return existing;
   return startFreshGame(db, subject);
 }
 
-function caption(guesses) {
-  return `🔮 Guess the champion from this ability. ${guesses.length}/${MAX_GUESSES} guesses so far.`;
+function caption(guesses, maxGuesses) {
+  return `🔮 Guess the champion from this ability. ${guesses.length}/${maxGuesses} guesses so far.`;
 }
 
 export async function handleAbility(ctx, db) {
@@ -72,7 +81,8 @@ export async function handleAbility(ctx, db) {
   if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");
   const arg = argAfterCommand(ctx.message?.text ?? "");
 
-  const game = await getOrInitGame(db, subject);
+  const maxGuesses = await getMaxGuesses(db, subject);
+  const game = await getOrInitGame(db, subject, maxGuesses);
   const target = findByName(game.target);
   const ability = target && getAbilityBySlot(target, game.slot);
   if (!target || !ability) {
@@ -83,7 +93,7 @@ export async function handleAbility(ctx, db) {
   }
 
   if (!arg) {
-    return ctx.replyWithPhoto(ability.icon, { caption: caption(game.guesses) });
+    return ctx.replyWithPhoto(ability.icon, { caption: caption(game.guesses, maxGuesses) });
   }
 
   const guess = findChampion(POOL, arg);
@@ -106,12 +116,12 @@ export async function handleAbility(ctx, db) {
     const s = await recordResult(db, subject, true);
     await clearGame(db, subject);
     return ctx.reply(
-      `🎉 Got it! That was <b>${answer}</b> — ${abilityLabel}. Solved in ${game.guesses.length}/${MAX_GUESSES}\n🔥 Streak: ${s.streak}\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
+      `🎉 Got it! That was <b>${answer}</b> — ${abilityLabel}. Solved in ${game.guesses.length}/${maxGuesses}\n🔥 Streak: ${s.streak}\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
       { parse_mode: "HTML" },
     );
   }
 
-  if (game.guesses.length >= MAX_GUESSES) {
+  if (game.guesses.length >= maxGuesses) {
     await recordResult(db, subject, false);
     await clearGame(db, subject);
     return ctx.reply(
@@ -122,11 +132,29 @@ export async function handleAbility(ctx, db) {
 
   await saveGame(db, subject, game);
   return ctx.reply(
-    `❌ Not <b>${escapeHtml(guess.championName)}</b>. Guess ${game.guesses.length}/${MAX_GUESSES}.`,
+    `❌ Not <b>${escapeHtml(guess.championName)}</b>. Guess ${game.guesses.length}/${maxGuesses}.`,
     { parse_mode: "HTML" },
   );
 }
 
+/**
+ * Hidden — set the per-subject MAX_GUESSES override (1..MAX_GUESSES_CAP).
+ *
+ * @param {import("grammy").Context} ctx
+ * @param {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore} db
+ */
+export async function handleSetMax(ctx, db) {
+  const subject = getSubject(ctx);
+  if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");
+  const arg = argAfterCommand(ctx.message?.text ?? "");
+  const n = Number.parseInt(arg, 10);
+  if (!Number.isInteger(n) || n < 1 || n > MAX_GUESSES_CAP) {
+    return ctx.reply(`Usage: /loldle_ability_setmax <1-${MAX_GUESSES_CAP}>`);
+  }
+  await setMaxGuesses(db, subject, n);
+  return ctx.reply(`✅ Loldle ability max guesses set to ${n} (applies to the next round).`);
+}
+
 export async function handleGiveup(ctx, db) {
   const subject = getSubject(ctx);
   if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");

src/modules/loldle-ability/index.js

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * Pool seeded from Data Dragon (same source loldle.net uses at runtime).
  */
 
-import { handleAbility, handleGiveup, handleStats } from "./handlers.js";
+import { handleAbility, handleGiveup, handleSetMax, handleStats } from "./handlers.js";
 
 /** @type {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore | null} */
 let db = null;
@@ -33,6 +33,12 @@ const loldleAbilityModule = {
       description: "Show your ability loldle stats (wins, streak)",
       handler: (ctx) => handleStats(ctx, db),
     },
+    {
+      name: "loldle_ability_setmax",
+      visibility: "private",
+      description: "Override ability loldle max guesses per round (1-10)",
+      handler: (ctx) => handleSetMax(ctx, db),
+    },
   ],
 };
 

src/modules/loldle-ability/state.js

@@ -4,12 +4,28 @@
  */
 
 const MAX_GUESSES = 5;
+const MAX_GUESSES_CAP = 10;
 const GAME_TTL_SECONDS = 60 * 60 * 24 * 7;
 
 const gameKey = (subject) => `game:${subject}`;
 const statsKey = (subject) => `stats:${subject}`;
+const configKey = (subject) => `config:${subject}`;
 
-export { MAX_GUESSES };
+export { MAX_GUESSES, MAX_GUESSES_CAP };
+
+export async function getMaxGuesses(db, subject) {
+  const cfg = await db.getJSON(configKey(subject));
+  const n = cfg?.maxGuesses;
+  if (Number.isInteger(n) && n >= 1 && n <= MAX_GUESSES_CAP) return n;
+  return MAX_GUESSES;
+}
+
+export async function setMaxGuesses(db, subject, n) {
+  if (!Number.isInteger(n) || n < 1 || n > MAX_GUESSES_CAP) {
+    throw new RangeError(`maxGuesses must be an integer in [1, ${MAX_GUESSES_CAP}]`);
+  }
+  await db.putJSON(configKey(subject), { maxGuesses: n });
+}
 
 export async function loadGame(db, subject) {
   return db.getJSON(gameKey(subject));

src/modules/loldle-emoji/handlers.js

@@ -15,7 +15,16 @@ import { escapeHtml } from "../../util/escape-html.js";
 import emojisData from "./emojis.json" with { type: "json" };
 import { findChampion } from "./lookup.js";
 import { renderBoard } from "./render.js";
-import { MAX_GUESSES, clearGame, loadGame, loadStats, recordResult, saveGame } from "./state.js";
+import {
+  MAX_GUESSES_CAP,
+  clearGame,
+  getMaxGuesses,
+  loadGame,
+  loadStats,
+  recordResult,
+  saveGame,
+  setMaxGuesses,
+} from "./state.js";
 
 const POOL = emojisData.filter((c) => c.emojis && c.emojis.trim().length > 0);
 
@@ -49,9 +58,9 @@ async function startFreshGame(db, subject) {
   return fresh;
 }
 
-async function getOrInitGame(db, subject) {
+async function getOrInitGame(db, subject, maxGuesses) {
   const existing = await loadGame(db, subject);
-  if (existing && existing.guesses.length < MAX_GUESSES) return existing;
+  if (existing && existing.guesses.length < maxGuesses) return existing;
   return startFreshGame(db, subject);
 }
 
@@ -60,7 +69,8 @@ export async function handleEmoji(ctx, db) {
   if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");
   const arg = argAfterCommand(ctx.message?.text ?? "");
 
-  const game = await getOrInitGame(db, subject);
+  const maxGuesses = await getMaxGuesses(db, subject);
+  const game = await getOrInitGame(db, subject, maxGuesses);
   const target = findByName(game.target);
   if (!target) {
     // Pool refreshed mid-round and the target is gone — start over.
@@ -71,7 +81,7 @@ export async function handleEmoji(ctx, db) {
   }
 
   if (!arg) {
-    return ctx.reply(renderBoard(target.emojis, game.guesses, MAX_GUESSES), {
+    return ctx.reply(renderBoard(target.emojis, game.guesses, maxGuesses), {
       parse_mode: "HTML",
     });
   }
@@ -95,27 +105,45 @@ export async function handleEmoji(ctx, db) {
     const s = await recordResult(db, subject, true);
     await clearGame(db, subject);
     return ctx.reply(
-      `🎉 Got it! <b>${answer}</b> — solved in ${game.guesses.length}/${MAX_GUESSES}\n🔥 Streak: ${s.streak}\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
+      `🎉 Got it! <b>${answer}</b> — solved in ${game.guesses.length}/${maxGuesses}\n🔥 Streak: ${s.streak}\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
       { parse_mode: "HTML" },
     );
   }
 
-  if (game.guesses.length >= MAX_GUESSES) {
+  if (game.guesses.length >= maxGuesses) {
     await recordResult(db, subject, false);
     await clearGame(db, subject);
     return ctx.reply(
-      `${renderBoard(target.emojis, game.guesses, MAX_GUESSES)}\n\n❌ Out of guesses. Answer was <b>${answer}</b>.\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
+      `${renderBoard(target.emojis, game.guesses, maxGuesses)}\n\n❌ Out of guesses. Answer was <b>${answer}</b>.\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
       { parse_mode: "HTML" },
     );
   }
 
   await saveGame(db, subject, game);
   return ctx.reply(
-    `${renderBoard(target.emojis, game.guesses, MAX_GUESSES)}\n\n❌ Not <b>${escapeHtml(guess.championName)}</b>. Guess ${game.guesses.length}/${MAX_GUESSES}.`,
+    `${renderBoard(target.emojis, game.guesses, maxGuesses)}\n\n❌ Not <b>${escapeHtml(guess.championName)}</b>. Guess ${game.guesses.length}/${maxGuesses}.`,
     { parse_mode: "HTML" },
   );
 }
 
+/**
+ * Hidden — set the per-subject MAX_GUESSES override (1..MAX_GUESSES_CAP).
+ *
+ * @param {import("grammy").Context} ctx
+ * @param {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore} db
+ */
+export async function handleSetMax(ctx, db) {
+  const subject = getSubject(ctx);
+  if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");
+  const arg = argAfterCommand(ctx.message?.text ?? "");
+  const n = Number.parseInt(arg, 10);
+  if (!Number.isInteger(n) || n < 1 || n > MAX_GUESSES_CAP) {
+    return ctx.reply(`Usage: /loldle_emoji_setmax <1-${MAX_GUESSES_CAP}>`);
+  }
+  await setMaxGuesses(db, subject, n);
+  return ctx.reply(`✅ Loldle emoji max guesses set to ${n} (applies to the next round).`);
+}
+
 export async function handleGiveup(ctx, db) {
   const subject = getSubject(ctx);
   if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");

src/modules/loldle-emoji/index.js

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  * scripts/fetch-ddragon-data.js).
  */
 
-import { handleEmoji, handleGiveup, handleStats } from "./handlers.js";
+import { handleEmoji, handleGiveup, handleSetMax, handleStats } from "./handlers.js";
 
 /** @type {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore | null} */
 let db = null;
@@ -34,6 +34,12 @@ const loldleEmojiModule = {
       description: "Show your emoji loldle stats (wins, streak)",
       handler: (ctx) => handleStats(ctx, db),
     },
+    {
+      name: "loldle_emoji_setmax",
+      visibility: "private",
+      description: "Override emoji loldle max guesses per round (1-10)",
+      handler: (ctx) => handleSetMax(ctx, db),
+    },
   ],
 };
 

src/modules/loldle-emoji/state.js

@@ -10,13 +10,32 @@
  * keeps stats isolated per mode.
  */
 
-const MAX_GUESSES = 5;
+// Default tightened from 5 → 4: three emojis are a strong signal, so 4 keeps
+// tension without being unfair. Admins can override per-subject via the
+// hidden /loldle_emoji_setmax command (bounded by MAX_GUESSES_CAP).
+const MAX_GUESSES = 4;
+const MAX_GUESSES_CAP = 10;
 const GAME_TTL_SECONDS = 60 * 60 * 24 * 7;
 
 const gameKey = (subject) => `game:${subject}`;
 const statsKey = (subject) => `stats:${subject}`;
+const configKey = (subject) => `config:${subject}`;
 
-export { MAX_GUESSES };
+export { MAX_GUESSES, MAX_GUESSES_CAP };
+
+export async function getMaxGuesses(db, subject) {
+  const cfg = await db.getJSON(configKey(subject));
+  const n = cfg?.maxGuesses;
+  if (Number.isInteger(n) && n >= 1 && n <= MAX_GUESSES_CAP) return n;
+  return MAX_GUESSES;
+}
+
+export async function setMaxGuesses(db, subject, n) {
+  if (!Number.isInteger(n) || n < 1 || n > MAX_GUESSES_CAP) {
+    throw new RangeError(`maxGuesses must be an integer in [1, ${MAX_GUESSES_CAP}]`);
+  }
+  await db.putJSON(configKey(subject), { maxGuesses: n });
+}
 
 export async function loadGame(db, subject) {
   return db.getJSON(gameKey(subject));

src/modules/loldle-quote/handlers.js

@@ -7,7 +7,16 @@ import { escapeHtml } from "../../util/escape-html.js";
 import { findChampion } from "./lookup.js";
 import quotesData from "./quotes.json" with { type: "json" };
 import { renderBoard } from "./render.js";
-import { MAX_GUESSES, clearGame, loadGame, loadStats, recordResult, saveGame } from "./state.js";
+import {
+  MAX_GUESSES_CAP,
+  clearGame,
+  getMaxGuesses,
+  loadGame,
+  loadStats,
+  recordResult,
+  saveGame,
+  setMaxGuesses,
+} from "./state.js";
 
 const POOL = quotesData.filter((c) => c.quote && c.quote.trim().length > 0);
 
@@ -41,9 +50,9 @@ async function startFreshGame(db, subject) {
   return fresh;
 }
 
-async function getOrInitGame(db, subject) {
+async function getOrInitGame(db, subject, maxGuesses) {
   const existing = await loadGame(db, subject);
-  if (existing && existing.guesses.length < MAX_GUESSES) return existing;
+  if (existing && existing.guesses.length < maxGuesses) return existing;
   return startFreshGame(db, subject);
 }
 
@@ -52,7 +61,8 @@ export async function handleQuote(ctx, db) {
   if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");
   const arg = argAfterCommand(ctx.message?.text ?? "");
 
-  const game = await getOrInitGame(db, subject);
+  const maxGuesses = await getMaxGuesses(db, subject);
+  const game = await getOrInitGame(db, subject, maxGuesses);
   const target = findByName(game.target);
   if (!target) {
     await clearGame(db, subject);
@@ -62,7 +72,7 @@ export async function handleQuote(ctx, db) {
   }
 
   if (!arg) {
-    return ctx.reply(renderBoard(target.quote, game.guesses, MAX_GUESSES), {
+    return ctx.reply(renderBoard(target.quote, game.guesses, maxGuesses), {
       parse_mode: "HTML",
     });
   }
@@ -86,27 +96,45 @@ export async function handleQuote(ctx, db) {
     const s = await recordResult(db, subject, true);
     await clearGame(db, subject);
     return ctx.reply(
-      `🎉 Nailed it! <b>${answer}</b> — solved in ${game.guesses.length}/${MAX_GUESSES}\n🔥 Streak: ${s.streak}\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
+      `🎉 Nailed it! <b>${answer}</b> — solved in ${game.guesses.length}/${maxGuesses}\n🔥 Streak: ${s.streak}\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
       { parse_mode: "HTML" },
     );
   }
 
-  if (game.guesses.length >= MAX_GUESSES) {
+  if (game.guesses.length >= maxGuesses) {
     await recordResult(db, subject, false);
     await clearGame(db, subject);
     return ctx.reply(
-      `${renderBoard(target.quote, game.guesses, MAX_GUESSES)}\n\n❌ Out of guesses. Answer: <b>${answer}</b>.\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
+      `${renderBoard(target.quote, game.guesses, maxGuesses)}\n\n❌ Out of guesses. Answer: <b>${answer}</b>.\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
       { parse_mode: "HTML" },
     );
   }
 
   await saveGame(db, subject, game);
   return ctx.reply(
-    `${renderBoard(target.quote, game.guesses, MAX_GUESSES)}\n\n❌ Not <b>${escapeHtml(guess.championName)}</b>. Guess ${game.guesses.length}/${MAX_GUESSES}.`,
+    `${renderBoard(target.quote, game.guesses, maxGuesses)}\n\n❌ Not <b>${escapeHtml(guess.championName)}</b>. Guess ${game.guesses.length}/${maxGuesses}.`,
     { parse_mode: "HTML" },
   );
 }
 
+/**
+ * Hidden — set the per-subject MAX_GUESSES override (1..MAX_GUESSES_CAP).
+ *
+ * @param {import("grammy").Context} ctx
+ * @param {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore} db
+ */
+export async function handleSetMax(ctx, db) {
+  const subject = getSubject(ctx);
+  if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");
+  const arg = argAfterCommand(ctx.message?.text ?? "");
+  const n = Number.parseInt(arg, 10);
+  if (!Number.isInteger(n) || n < 1 || n > MAX_GUESSES_CAP) {
+    return ctx.reply(`Usage: /loldle_quote_setmax <1-${MAX_GUESSES_CAP}>`);
+  }
+  await setMaxGuesses(db, subject, n);
+  return ctx.reply(`✅ Loldle quote max guesses set to ${n} (applies to the next round).`);
+}
+
 export async function handleGiveup(ctx, db) {
   const subject = getSubject(ctx);
   if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");

src/modules/loldle-quote/index.js

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  * (see scripts/fetch-ddragon-data.js).
  */
 
-import { handleGiveup, handleQuote, handleStats } from "./handlers.js";
+import { handleGiveup, handleQuote, handleSetMax, handleStats } from "./handlers.js";
 
 /** @type {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore | null} */
 let db = null;
@@ -34,6 +34,12 @@ const loldleQuoteModule = {
       description: "Show your quote loldle stats (wins, streak)",
       handler: (ctx) => handleStats(ctx, db),
     },
+    {
+      name: "loldle_quote_setmax",
+      visibility: "private",
+      description: "Override quote loldle max guesses per round (1-10)",
+      handler: (ctx) => handleSetMax(ctx, db),
+    },
   ],
 };
 

src/modules/loldle-quote/state.js

@@ -4,12 +4,28 @@
  */
 
 const MAX_GUESSES = 6;
+const MAX_GUESSES_CAP = 10;
 const GAME_TTL_SECONDS = 60 * 60 * 24 * 7;
 
 const gameKey = (subject) => `game:${subject}`;
 const statsKey = (subject) => `stats:${subject}`;
+const configKey = (subject) => `config:${subject}`;
 
-export { MAX_GUESSES };
+export { MAX_GUESSES, MAX_GUESSES_CAP };
+
+export async function getMaxGuesses(db, subject) {
+  const cfg = await db.getJSON(configKey(subject));
+  const n = cfg?.maxGuesses;
+  if (Number.isInteger(n) && n >= 1 && n <= MAX_GUESSES_CAP) return n;
+  return MAX_GUESSES;
+}
+
+export async function setMaxGuesses(db, subject, n) {
+  if (!Number.isInteger(n) || n < 1 || n > MAX_GUESSES_CAP) {
+    throw new RangeError(`maxGuesses must be an integer in [1, ${MAX_GUESSES_CAP}]`);
+  }
+  await db.putJSON(configKey(subject), { maxGuesses: n });
+}
 
 export async function loadGame(db, subject) {
   return db.getJSON(gameKey(subject));

src/modules/loldle-splash/handlers.js

@@ -9,7 +9,16 @@
 import { escapeHtml } from "../../util/escape-html.js";
 import { findChampion } from "./lookup.js";
 import splashesData from "./splashes.json" with { type: "json" };
-import { MAX_GUESSES, clearGame, loadGame, loadStats, recordResult, saveGame } from "./state.js";
+import {
+  MAX_GUESSES_CAP,
+  clearGame,
+  getMaxGuesses,
+  loadGame,
+  loadStats,
+  recordResult,
+  saveGame,
+  setMaxGuesses,
+} from "./state.js";
 
 const POOL = splashesData.filter((c) => c.skins && c.skins.length > 0);
 
@@ -57,14 +66,14 @@ async function startFreshGame(db, subject) {
   return fresh;
 }
 
-async function getOrInitGame(db, subject) {
+async function getOrInitGame(db, subject, maxGuesses) {
   const existing = await loadGame(db, subject);
-  if (existing && existing.guesses.length < MAX_GUESSES) return existing;
+  if (existing && existing.guesses.length < maxGuesses) return existing;
   return startFreshGame(db, subject);
 }
 
-function caption(guesses) {
-  return `🎨 Guess the champion from this splash art. ${guesses.length}/${MAX_GUESSES} guesses so far.`;
+function caption(guesses, maxGuesses) {
+  return `🎨 Guess the champion from this splash art. ${guesses.length}/${maxGuesses} guesses so far.`;
 }
 
 export async function handleSplash(ctx, db) {
@@ -72,7 +81,8 @@ export async function handleSplash(ctx, db) {
   if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");
   const arg = argAfterCommand(ctx.message?.text ?? "");
 
-  const game = await getOrInitGame(db, subject);
+  const maxGuesses = await getMaxGuesses(db, subject);
+  const game = await getOrInitGame(db, subject, maxGuesses);
   const target = findByName(game.target);
   const skin = target && getSkinById(target, game.skinId);
   if (!target || !skin) {
@@ -83,7 +93,7 @@ export async function handleSplash(ctx, db) {
   }
 
   if (!arg) {
-    return ctx.replyWithPhoto(skin.url, { caption: caption(game.guesses) });
+    return ctx.replyWithPhoto(skin.url, { caption: caption(game.guesses, maxGuesses) });
   }
 
   const guess = findChampion(POOL, arg);
@@ -106,12 +116,12 @@ export async function handleSplash(ctx, db) {
     const s = await recordResult(db, subject, true);
     await clearGame(db, subject);
     return ctx.reply(
-      `🎉 Got it! That was <b>${answer}</b> in ${skinLabel}. Solved in ${game.guesses.length}/${MAX_GUESSES}\n🔥 Streak: ${s.streak}\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
+      `🎉 Got it! That was <b>${answer}</b> in ${skinLabel}. Solved in ${game.guesses.length}/${maxGuesses}\n🔥 Streak: ${s.streak}\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
       { parse_mode: "HTML" },
     );
   }
 
-  if (game.guesses.length >= MAX_GUESSES) {
+  if (game.guesses.length >= maxGuesses) {
     await recordResult(db, subject, false);
     await clearGame(db, subject);
     return ctx.reply(
@@ -122,11 +132,29 @@ export async function handleSplash(ctx, db) {
 
   await saveGame(db, subject, game);
   return ctx.reply(
-    `❌ Not <b>${escapeHtml(guess.championName)}</b>. Guess ${game.guesses.length}/${MAX_GUESSES}.`,
+    `❌ Not <b>${escapeHtml(guess.championName)}</b>. Guess ${game.guesses.length}/${maxGuesses}.`,
     { parse_mode: "HTML" },
   );
 }
 
+/**
+ * Hidden — set the per-subject MAX_GUESSES override (1..MAX_GUESSES_CAP).
+ *
+ * @param {import("grammy").Context} ctx
+ * @param {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore} db
+ */
+export async function handleSetMax(ctx, db) {
+  const subject = getSubject(ctx);
+  if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");
+  const arg = argAfterCommand(ctx.message?.text ?? "");
+  const n = Number.parseInt(arg, 10);
+  if (!Number.isInteger(n) || n < 1 || n > MAX_GUESSES_CAP) {
+    return ctx.reply(`Usage: /loldle_splash_setmax <1-${MAX_GUESSES_CAP}>`);
+  }
+  await setMaxGuesses(db, subject, n);
+  return ctx.reply(`✅ Loldle splash max guesses set to ${n} (applies to the next round).`);
+}
+
 export async function handleGiveup(ctx, db) {
   const subject = getSubject(ctx);
   if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");

src/modules/loldle-splash/index.js

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * Skin pool scraped from loldle.net, splash URLs from Data Dragon CDN.
  */
 
-import { handleGiveup, handleSplash, handleStats } from "./handlers.js";
+import { handleGiveup, handleSetMax, handleSplash, handleStats } from "./handlers.js";
 
 /** @type {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore | null} */
 let db = null;
@@ -33,6 +33,12 @@ const loldleSplashModule = {
       description: "Show your splash loldle stats (wins, streak)",
       handler: (ctx) => handleStats(ctx, db),
     },
+    {
+      name: "loldle_splash_setmax",
+      visibility: "private",
+      description: "Override splash loldle max guesses per round (1-10)",
+      handler: (ctx) => handleSetMax(ctx, db),
+    },
   ],
 };
 

src/modules/loldle-splash/state.js

@@ -4,12 +4,28 @@
  */
 
 const MAX_GUESSES = 4;
+const MAX_GUESSES_CAP = 10;
 const GAME_TTL_SECONDS = 60 * 60 * 24 * 7;
 
 const gameKey = (subject) => `game:${subject}`;
 const statsKey = (subject) => `stats:${subject}`;
+const configKey = (subject) => `config:${subject}`;
 
-export { MAX_GUESSES };
+export { MAX_GUESSES, MAX_GUESSES_CAP };
+
+export async function getMaxGuesses(db, subject) {
+  const cfg = await db.getJSON(configKey(subject));
+  const n = cfg?.maxGuesses;
+  if (Number.isInteger(n) && n >= 1 && n <= MAX_GUESSES_CAP) return n;
+  return MAX_GUESSES;
+}
+
+export async function setMaxGuesses(db, subject, n) {
+  if (!Number.isInteger(n) || n < 1 || n > MAX_GUESSES_CAP) {
+    throw new RangeError(`maxGuesses must be an integer in [1, ${MAX_GUESSES_CAP}]`);
+  }
+  await db.putJSON(configKey(subject), { maxGuesses: n });
+}
 
 export async function loadGame(db, subject) {
   return db.getJSON(gameKey(subject));

src/modules/loldle/README.md

@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 # Loldle Module
 
-Classic-mode League of Legends champion guessing game. Players get 8 guesses
-to identify a hidden champion; each guess is compared across 7 attributes
-and the board is rendered as a monospace Telegram table.
+Classic-mode League of Legends champion guessing game. Players get 6 guesses
+(default; per-subject override via the hidden `/loldle_setmax` command, capped
+at 10) to identify a hidden champion; each guess is compared across 7
+attributes and the board is rendered as a monospace Telegram table.
 
 ## Data source
 
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ opens a PR whenever the data changes.
 | `/loldle` | public | Show current board, or submit a champion guess |
 | `/loldle_giveup` | public | Reveal the answer and end the round |
 | `/loldle_stats` | public | Show your wins / streak |
+| `/loldle_setmax <n>` | private | Override max guesses (1-10) for this subject; applies to next round |
 
 Submit a guess with `/loldle <champion>` (e.g. `/loldle Ahri`). Names match
 case/space/punctuation-insensitive with a unique-prefix fallback. A round
@@ -45,7 +47,8 @@ empty board gives no hints, so it shouldn't count against the clock.
 - `lookup.js` — normalizes user input to a champion record.
 - `render.js` — Telegram HTML `<pre>` monospace table with auto-widthed
   label column.
-- `state.js` — KV persistence (`MAX_GUESSES = 8`, per-subject stats).
+- `state.js` — KV persistence (`MAX_GUESSES = 6` default, `MAX_GUESSES_CAP = 10`,
+  per-subject stats and config override).
 - `handlers.js` — subject resolution (user id in DMs, chat id in groups) +
   command flow.
 - `flavor.js` — win-message text helpers.
@@ -63,6 +66,7 @@ KV namespace prefix: `loldle:`
 |-----|-------|
 | `game:<subject>` | `{ target, guesses, startedAt }` — active round (TTL 7 days). `guesses` is a championName array; comparison rows are recomputed at render time. |
 | `stats:<subject>` | `{ played, wins, streak, bestStreak }` |
+| `config:<subject>` | `{ maxGuesses }` — optional per-subject round-length override (1-10). Absent ⇒ default `MAX_GUESSES`. |
 
 ## Credits
 

src/modules/loldle/handlers.js

@@ -23,7 +23,16 @@ import { compareChampions } from "./compare.js";
 import { attemptFlavor, formatDuration } from "./flavor.js";
 import { findChampion } from "./lookup.js";
 import { renderBoard, renderGuess } from "./render.js";
-import { MAX_GUESSES, clearGame, loadGame, loadStats, recordResult, saveGame } from "./state.js";
+import {
+  MAX_GUESSES_CAP,
+  clearGame,
+  getMaxGuesses,
+  loadGame,
+  loadStats,
+  recordResult,
+  saveGame,
+  setMaxGuesses,
+} from "./state.js";
 import { GIVEUP_STICKERS, LOSE_STICKERS, WIN_STICKERS, pickSticker } from "./stickers.js";
 
 /** @type {Array<Record<string, any>>} */
@@ -74,9 +83,9 @@ async function startFreshGame(db, subject) {
   return fresh;
 }
 
-async function getOrInitGame(db, subject) {
+async function getOrInitGame(db, subject, maxGuesses) {
   const existing = await loadGame(db, subject);
-  if (existing && existing.guesses.length < MAX_GUESSES) return existing;
+  if (existing && existing.guesses.length < maxGuesses) return existing;
   return startFreshGame(db, subject);
 }
 
@@ -100,10 +109,11 @@ export async function handleLoldle(ctx, db) {
   if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");
   const arg = argAfterCommand(ctx.message?.text ?? "");
 
-  const game = await getOrInitGame(db, subject);
+  const maxGuesses = await getMaxGuesses(db, subject);
+  const game = await getOrInitGame(db, subject, maxGuesses);
 
   if (!arg) {
-    const header = `Guess ${game.guesses.length}/${MAX_GUESSES}. Use <code>/loldle &lt;champion&gt;</code>.`;
+    const header = `Guess ${game.guesses.length}/${maxGuesses}. Use <code>/loldle &lt;champion&gt;</code>.`;
     const board = renderBoard(rehydrateGuesses(game));
     return ctx.reply(`${header}\n\n${board}`, { parse_mode: "HTML" });
   }
@@ -141,14 +151,14 @@ export async function handleLoldle(ctx, db) {
     const s = await recordResult(db, subject, true);
     await clearGame(db, subject);
     await trySendSticker(ctx, WIN_STICKERS);
-    const flavor = attemptFlavor(game.guesses.length, MAX_GUESSES);
+    const flavor = attemptFlavor(game.guesses.length, maxGuesses);
     return ctx.reply(
-      `${reply}\n\n🎉 ${flavor} ${champ}\n⏱ ${elapsed} · 🔥 Streak: ${s.streak} (${game.guesses.length}/${MAX_GUESSES})\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
+      `${reply}\n\n🎉 ${flavor} ${champ}\n⏱ ${elapsed} · 🔥 Streak: ${s.streak} (${game.guesses.length}/${maxGuesses})\n${NEW_ROUND_HINT}`,
       { parse_mode: "HTML" },
     );
   }
 
-  if (game.guesses.length >= MAX_GUESSES) {
+  if (game.guesses.length >= maxGuesses) {
     await recordResult(db, subject, false);
     await clearGame(db, subject);
     await trySendSticker(ctx, LOSE_STICKERS);
@@ -158,11 +168,30 @@ export async function handleLoldle(ctx, db) {
   }
 
   await saveGame(db, subject, game);
-  return ctx.reply(`${reply}\n\nGuess ${game.guesses.length}/${MAX_GUESSES}.`, {
+  return ctx.reply(`${reply}\n\nGuess ${game.guesses.length}/${maxGuesses}.`, {
     parse_mode: "HTML",
   });
 }
 
+/**
+ * Hidden command — set the per-subject MAX_GUESSES override (1..MAX_GUESSES_CAP).
+ * Takes effect on the next round; in-progress rounds keep the old value.
+ *
+ * @param {import("grammy").Context} ctx
+ * @param {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore} db
+ */
+export async function handleSetMax(ctx, db) {
+  const subject = getSubject(ctx);
+  if (subject == null) return ctx.reply("Cannot identify chat.");
+  const arg = argAfterCommand(ctx.message?.text ?? "");
+  const n = Number.parseInt(arg, 10);
+  if (!Number.isInteger(n) || n < 1 || n > MAX_GUESSES_CAP) {
+    return ctx.reply(`Usage: /loldle_setmax <1-${MAX_GUESSES_CAP}>`);
+  }
+  await setMaxGuesses(db, subject, n);
+  return ctx.reply(`✅ Loldle max guesses set to ${n} (applies to the next round).`);
+}
+
 /**
  * @param {import("grammy").Context} ctx
  * @param {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore} db

src/modules/loldle/index.js

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * Champion data is scraped weekly from loldle.net.
  */
 
-import { handleGiveup, handleLoldle, handleStats } from "./handlers.js";
+import { handleGiveup, handleLoldle, handleSetMax, handleStats } from "./handlers.js";
 
 /** @type {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore | null} */
 let db = null;
@@ -33,6 +33,12 @@ const loldleModule = {
       description: "Show your loldle stats (wins, streak)",
       handler: (ctx) => handleStats(ctx, db),
     },
+    {
+      name: "loldle_setmax",
+      visibility: "private",
+      description: "Override max guesses per round (1-10) for this chat",
+      handler: (ctx) => handleSetMax(ctx, db),
+    },
   ],
 };
 

src/modules/loldle/state.js

@@ -10,13 +10,18 @@
  * at render time, so the board always reflects the live champions.json.
  */
 
-const MAX_GUESSES = 8;
+// Default round length. The 7-axis grid leaks enough info per guess that 6
+// is a fair target for typical play; admins can override per-subject via the
+// hidden /loldle_setmax command (bounded by MAX_GUESSES_CAP).
+const MAX_GUESSES = 6;
+const MAX_GUESSES_CAP = 10;
 // Upper bound for a round — long enough for any real session, short enough
 // that stale KV entries get reclaimed automatically.
 const GAME_TTL_SECONDS = 60 * 60 * 24 * 7;
 
 const gameKey = (subject) => `game:${subject}`;
 const statsKey = (subject) => `stats:${subject}`;
+const configKey = (subject) => `config:${subject}`;
 
 /**
  * @typedef {object} GameState
@@ -56,7 +61,34 @@ export async function clearGame(db, subject) {
   await db.delete(gameKey(subject));
 }
 
-export { MAX_GUESSES };
+export { MAX_GUESSES, MAX_GUESSES_CAP };
+
+/**
+ * Per-subject override for the round length, falling back to MAX_GUESSES.
+ * Values outside [1, MAX_GUESSES_CAP] are ignored as if unset.
+ *
+ * @param {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore} db
+ * @param {number|string} subject
+ * @returns {Promise<number>}
+ */
+export async function getMaxGuesses(db, subject) {
+  const cfg = await db.getJSON(configKey(subject));
+  const n = cfg?.maxGuesses;
+  if (Number.isInteger(n) && n >= 1 && n <= MAX_GUESSES_CAP) return n;
+  return MAX_GUESSES;
+}
+
+/**
+ * @param {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore} db
+ * @param {number|string} subject
+ * @param {number} n
+ */
+export async function setMaxGuesses(db, subject, n) {
+  if (!Number.isInteger(n) || n < 1 || n > MAX_GUESSES_CAP) {
+    throw new RangeError(`maxGuesses must be an integer in [1, ${MAX_GUESSES_CAP}]`);
+  }
+  await db.putJSON(configKey(subject), { maxGuesses: n });
+}
 
 /**
  * @param {import("../../db/kv-store-interface.js").KVStore} db

tests/modules/dispatcher.test.js

@@ -24,9 +24,10 @@ describe("installDispatcher", () => {
     const env = { MODULES: "util,wordle,loldle,misc", KV: makeFakeKv() };
     const reg = await installDispatcher(bot, env);
 
-    // Expect 13 total commands (10 public + 1 protected + 2 private).
-    expect(bot.commandCalls).toHaveLength(13);
-    expect(reg.allCommands.size).toBe(13);
+    // Expect 14 total commands (10 public + 1 protected + 3 private —
+    // the third private is loldle's /loldle_setmax override command).
+    expect(bot.commandCalls).toHaveLength(14);
+    expect(reg.allCommands.size).toBe(14);
 
     const registeredNames = bot.commandCalls.map((c) => c.name).sort();
     const expected = [...reg.allCommands.keys()].sort();