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Advice to Pass Along: Level 350 and 356 of Candy Crush

Yes, another one.  Skip it if you don’t play Candy Crush.  If you do, you understand the frustration Level 350 and Level 356 bring.  I have a very specific way for winning both of these levels.

Both are awful.  For me, until I figured out how to do it, 356 was actually worse.  Read on if you’re also stuck.

Level 350 of Candy Crush

Candy Crush Level 350

I had heard awful things about this level.  It seemed a place where everyone got stuck, so I went into it knowing that I would likely be stuck there too for a bit.  It probably helped to anticipate that it was going to be awful.  I liked having the knowledge that it was going to suck, and it was going to suck hard.

This is a board that you will want to play from a device that will allow you to exit without wasting a life because there is only one type of board worth playing, and that is one where an opening move breaks three pieces of whipped cream, like the board above.  I know what you’re thinking: before reading that last sentence, you would have made a striped with those four red in a row, but you’d be wrong.  You actually want to break downward, ignoring all else.

Drill down, drill down through that whipped cream, and only focus on that whipped cream, preferably the middle of it.  If you get too close to the edge, you’ll set off the bombs.  And you’re not ready for that yet.  Don’t set off speckled doughnuts if you can help it.  Only use stripes or bombs if they clear whipped cream and nothing else.  Think of yourself as a worker ant with one task: clear the whipped cream.  Everything else is a distraction meant to mess you up.

The only time you want to use a striped/wrap combo is AFTER you’ve cleared most of the whipped cream and you can use it very low down on the board.  Same with a striped/doughnut combo.  Play it before you’ve cleared that whipped cream, and you’ve created a bomb nightmare.  Play it after you’ve cleared the whipped cream, and you can pop a lot of the jelly at the top of the board.

Get it?  Don’t get distracted.  Just focus on the whipped cream.

The reality is that once you clear the whipped cream, you’ll leave a big chunk of the board open and will likely make a lot of combos.  So break that whipped cream as your sole focus, and you’ll clear the board with combos after most of the whipped cream is gone.

Good luck!

Level 356 of Candy Crush

Candy Crush Level 356

The first few times I played this board, I only made one striped combo.  Most rounds ended without making any.  Then I was teaching Hour of Code (see, I do erudite things too) and I realized that I was going about this wrong.  I had to think about this board as I would rethreading a drawstring that has gotten pulled out of a sweatshirt hood.  You don’t focus on trying to move the string insomuch as you try to move something else (like a ballpoint pen) through that drawstring area.

So it helps to know how the candies move.  The ones in the top left only fall in the top left.  The ones in the bottom left move the ones in its own quadrant and the one above.  The top right quadrant moves the candies in the two quadrants on the left, and the bottom right quadrant is rock bottom.  That quadrant is the least helpful place to have a striped candy.  I’ll explain that in a moment.  But the board reads like a two-column article.  You get to the bottom of the left column and your eye goes to the top right and starts to read down again.  Same with the candies.

When you make a striped candy, let’s say, in that far right row in the top right quadrant (with the orange ones), you will now want to make your next striped candy in either that row (far right, any quadrant) or the one right next to it (second from right row, any quadrant).  Let’s pretend you made one in the second-from-the-right row in the bottom left quadrant.  What you’d want to do to pull it toward your other striped candy is to make any matches in that SAME ROW (second-from-the-right) in either of the right quadrants.  Because that will gently pull it — like a drawstring — toward the one that is already in the top right quadrant.

Did that make sense?  Essentially every row moves as one with others in the same placement regardless of quadrant.  So if you make a match in the far left row on the bottom right quadrant, it will affect every left row.  But only every left row (unless it inadvertently makes a match along the way).  So, back to that striped orange candy you made in the top right quadrant.  When you did that, you also made a vertical three-way match with the yellow ones in the second-from-the-right row, correct?  That is going to move all the other candies in the second-to-right row that are above it.  So it will move that green one down and it will also move the yellow-blue-green-yellow-yellow-blue-yellow-orange (read that going downward) in the second-from-the-right row in the two left quadrants.

Got it?

Be prepared that striped ones will accidentally be detonated before you can use them.  And that’s okay.  Because you’ll make a bunch of them.  And you’ll work slowly and patiently to slide candies through like you’re rethreading a drawstring.  Don’t stress too much about the bombs; they usually get taken out as they travel down the board.  Only deal with them if they’re about to go off.  And yes, you can also bring down candies that will match that bomb and get rid of it using this same method.

A hint: it is easiest if you can make the striped candies on the left side because then you can gently tug things down on the right side.  They don’t have to travel as far on the left.

Also, look for places where you have two of one colour (let’s say, red), one of another colour (blue), and then another red.  Make a match in another quadrant to gently pull down another red in that blue row.  That will form a stripe for you.  If nothing else, make a match in the bottom right quadrant because it will mix up all the quadrants for you and give you a new chance to create a stripe.

And that’s how it’s done.  I passed it in two tries when I changed the way I was thinking about playing this board to my rethreading method.

Currently: I’m on Level 361, and I’m happy to go backwards and explain how I did any board before that. Sometimes it was stupid luck but other times, there was actual thought involved (here are the other advice posts I’ve written). Let me know the level you’re struggling with.

44 comments

1 jodifur { 12.14.13 at 8:35 am }

I’M SO BITTER. You were so far behind me and I’m going to be stuck at 350 for the rest of my life. I’m currently playing the dream levels which I don’t love and I think are kind of dumb, but only so I don’t have to play 350.

2 Marissa { 12.18.13 at 8:12 am }

OMG! Thank you so much! I read what you had about 356 and finally past it!

3 Jupa { 01.01.14 at 4:45 pm }

You are a genius! Followed your strategy and won with 3 stars in no time! Should have found you while I tore my hair out over 350!

4 Silly Sally { 01.04.14 at 2:33 am }

I have been on this level for 6 weeks & ready to give up! I will try your tips. I did try to reset the board but can’t get one like you show above. It’s helping but haven’t beaten it yet! I get more moves with your suggestions. So frustrated. I completed the dream levels! Thanks for your suggestions!

5 Silent Admirer { 01.09.14 at 3:14 pm }

Just Started playing in Sep – 13 …. I always visit ur Website in advance to check if u have posted a tip on CC for tht particular level or or not …. Now i m at Level 367 & i m missing ur post …. :/

The others Pages out thr either just post the video or give a bit ambiguous picture in as few words as they can :/
Please level up Fast … O:)

6 Steve { 01.22.14 at 2:28 pm }

I’ve been playing it that way for several days. I run out of matches to move the candies. So you still need a good board and a lot of luck. I’ve had 4 matches several times but always run out of moves or a bomb goes off, that I couldn’t maneuver to delete it.

7 Steve { 01.22.14 at 3:41 pm }

try it again, the last two boards if you try to move three down sometimes it will and sometimes it will move two and change color or move about 6 then the next time work right. It’s impossible the way it is.

8 Becky { 02.02.14 at 10:58 pm }

Did you know that rows are the horizontal things, and the the vertical ones are called columns? It would be so much easier to read this if you used the correct terms.

9 G { 02.09.14 at 11:58 am }

Wonderful! I was stuck on this level 356 nearly as long as 350 and then I read this help, focused and cleared it straight away, great strategy and thanks!

10 Deb { 02.13.14 at 9:33 am }

Great advice! I wasn’t sure I completely understood while reading your post, but it only took me two attempts to beat the level afterwards. Thank you!

11 Estella ring { 02.13.14 at 12:32 pm }

I quit can’t do it bye bye

12 Suchi { 02.14.14 at 4:30 am }

OML! i cant believe it!! i was stuck on 350 for almost a week now, and thats the longest i’ve been stuck on any level! i thought it was the end of candy crush for me 🙁 i just somehow came across your post, read it twice thoroughly and played and actually crossed this terror! 😀 😀 😀 Thank You Soo Very Much! 😀 You have truly studied this level perfectly 😀 <3

13 Suchi { 02.14.14 at 4:31 am }

Also i forgot to mention that i crossed level 350 with 3 stars 😀

14 Sara { 02.15.14 at 7:54 pm }

My minds eye, did not understand your tips/. I must must be very slow, and stupid – what is whipped cream? Guess I am not a real candy crusher. I will go back and read a third time, they say that’s a charm.

15 Raf { 02.18.14 at 5:47 am }

I had 71 once and 70 twice on this level, but still cannot pass it!(53 is my common bumber) I tried several technics, I’ll try also this one!

16 Jane { 02.21.14 at 10:50 am }

Thanks for the read. I have basically been doing this strategy to no avail. I will keep trying. Just glad to know it is even a possibility. I may have to spent money, haha!

17 Raf { 02.27.14 at 3:41 pm }

And I did it! Pure luck, with 28!!! moves left (466440 score). I can confirm – this technic gives very good results

Happy playing!

18 KB { 02.27.14 at 3:43 pm }

Just a suggestion, the level 356 explanation would be easier to understand if you weren’t referring to columns as rows. Rows are horizontal, columns are vertical.

19 rebecca { 03.07.14 at 7:15 am }

thanks!! had been dreading 350 and your tips made it what (I consider to be) a fairly easy level. 356 wasn’t bad either. you’re awesome!

20 Calm river { 03.08.14 at 4:06 am }

Thank you so much, I thought my journey would end with level 356, but as you said once I changed tactics I got it in 3 goes.

21 Aarti { 03.11.14 at 7:13 am }

Hi, I tried playing keeping in mind your tips. It took me a few games to understand but I was able to finish it in about 5 attempts. Thanks .

22 TV { 03.11.14 at 11:44 pm }

I don’t know who you are, but I’m damn glad I chanced upon your site. I must have made ~100 attempts at 350 before reading your suggestions. Still took several more attempts after that, but a 3- star victory was soon mine.

As to 356, I only suffered maybe a half dozen tries before remembering you’d put something together for that level as well. I sat down to read and get my head around your theory. Then I gave it another go. Holy MoG. In my very next attempt, I managed another 3- star victory -with 19 moves to spare! Tnx for putting these out there!

23 TV { 03.14.14 at 2:19 am }

Will be interested to read about your methods for 361 -I’m currently spinning my wheels on that one, too.

24 Dan { 04.14.14 at 5:38 pm }

God damn genius! I haven’t even passed 350 yet but first try after reading this and I got ten times closer than the hundred times before! Wish me luck!

25 dave adams { 04.16.14 at 9:39 am }

how about 377?

26 Sb { 04.18.14 at 9:02 pm }

Level 356 is from hell. Who’s with me on this?

27 A { 04.26.14 at 10:09 am }

Thanks! It still took a bit of time but it’s finally done.

28 Indiana Joe { 05.03.14 at 8:38 am }

Best. Advice. Ever. I’d been beating my head against this level for a couple of days, and the other sites were no help.

29 Carla { 05.06.14 at 1:21 pm }

I have spent MONTHS on 350. I’ve basically quit playing. Every now and then, I’ll log on and blow my five lives and then leave for a couple of weeks. Next time I log on, I’ll try your method of breaking 3 whipped creams on the first move and then not getting distracted. I used to play CC daily and spend money on it. Now, nothing. No money because I won’t reward King for this heinousness!!! 🙂

30 eswar { 05.15.14 at 1:40 am }

Here is smiple to pass level 350. Just wait for a week and daily spin the wheel and collect atleast 5-7 lolypops . Once you have atleast 7 lollypops then play and you can easily pass it.

31 RP { 05.15.14 at 11:25 pm }

Thank you so much!! Your blog is the most helpful I’ve found on the web. These two levels are by far the hardest and we really needed the detailed explanations you have provided.

32 manoj { 05.23.14 at 2:22 am }

It goes to irritate me on level 350 apporx 4 week

33 Trisha n { 05.30.14 at 11:31 am }

So cool. Read about level 356 and passed on the next try. Thanks

34 Eric. { 06.02.14 at 8:40 am }

Thank you. I figured out 350 on my own, much as you escribe it. I have gotten as many as four combos on 356, thanks to your way of thinking. I’m sure I’ll get 356 soon.

35 sandra { 06.19.14 at 10:24 am }

I am still stuck on 356, I can make the stripes, just getting them beside each other is difficult. I’ll keep playing, I feel I will pass it soon.

36 Rose { 06.25.14 at 3:31 am }

Have been stuck on level 350 for weeks – closest I’ve got has been one jelly to clear! Am very frustrated but will try your tips, however in the last day or so my game starts with only 40 lives not 60? Why is that?

37 Rose { 06.25.14 at 11:41 am }

Oops meant 40 moves in my comment above!

38 anne { 07.15.14 at 1:38 pm }

I have tried your method for weeks and still can’take get this level.

39 Chirayu { 07.30.14 at 10:31 am }

I passed level 35o in three tries was following the same strategy as mentioned above though didn’t read it. Everytime I would clear that whipped cream or whatever I would look at the top of the board and see if there is a chance to make a color bomb, stripped candy or a wrapped candy. if possible i would do that.

in one of the games got a color bomb and work towards getting a stripped candy near it, worked like charm cleared almost all of the remaing board and then got some wrapped-stripped combo to clear the board.

Currently struck at 356 ( and that’s why I am here 🙂 ). Can’t seem to move forward

40 Chirayu { 07.31.14 at 9:24 am }

Well guess what I was able to clear till level 364 overnight after posting earlier at 07.30.14 at 10:31 am.

Extremely lucky at level 361 , all the ingredients came in the same column. very less strategy and lots of luck.

Currently stuck at level 365, i think it’s even more challenging than 350.

41 Charles Crawford { 11.29.14 at 2:36 am }

Excellent advice on 356. I quickly passed it with a few moves to spare after a long time messing around

I’d add only that it’s wise to reset the board at the start to make sure you (a) have a couple of moves in the lower right quadrant, and (b) have one easy stripe to set up on the left side somewhere. Vital to keep in reserve some moves on the right side to aid stripe formation on the left

This one is NOT ‘luck’ haha

42 jazz { 02.17.15 at 3:23 pm }

luck I stuck on level 356 for almost 4 weeks and still I m there……

43 Tides { 03.12.15 at 11:21 pm }

Charles is correct– start with a couple of moves in the lower right quad and save them for unsticking the board. Play slowly. Watch how the columns move down, make stripes in the left quads, play slowly. And don’t play frustrated — it is possibly to beat this one.

44 Michelle Farina { 05.21.16 at 11:18 pm }

I’m ready to throw my phone against the wall with level 356! In my version, it’s not striped candies but color bombs that are needed wtf..why is mine different? Impossible for me, I must have tried a hundred times. Also, my board isn’t in 4 sections, just 2. Any help???

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