Complete guide with hints, spangram, and all theme words for Jul 17's puzzle
Strands Theme of Jul 17 is:
Think of a legendary board game where players collect colorful wedges by answering questions from different subjects.
Reveal letter by letter or uncover a full solution

Today's theme 'Categorically speaking' refers to specific classifications or groups often found in knowledge-based games. It invites players to think about broad fields of study and leisure that define how we organize information.
Spoiler Warning
Strands answer for Categorically speaking are revealed below!
Below is the complete solution for Today's Strands. Enjoy the game!

Strands is a free daily word puzzle from The New York Times. Each day, you get a theme and a letter grid where you must find hidden words. Like Wordle and Connections, it refreshes at midnight with a new puzzle.
You get a 6×8 grid of letters. Find all theme words plus the "spangram" that spans the grid and reveals the theme. Connect letters horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to form words. Find 3 non-theme words to unlock a hint.
This theme points toward a systemic way of grouping knowledge often used in competitive quizzes. To find the right path, think about the different 'subjects' you've studied or followed as hobbies. Discover more about these groupings by checking out our full Strands Hint below.
The difficulty depends on your familiarity with classic game night staples and educational topics. The words are quite long and span the entire grid, making for a fun challenge. For a detailed breakdown of the layout, check out the full Strands Hint below for more details.
The spangram for 'Categorically speaking' stretches across the board, acts as the backbone for all other category words. It connects the concept of broad knowledge to a specific tabletop brand. Check out the full Strands Hint below for more details on its orientation.
Focus on identifying words that describe school subjects or divisions in a quiz show. Look for long letter sequences that represent fields of human interest. For more strategic help, check out our full Strands Hint below for more details.