diff --git a/CLI.py b/CLI.py
index 9c15e4cb..ce230037 100644
--- a/CLI.py
+++ b/CLI.py
@@ -179,9 +179,7 @@ def parse_settings():
         "names": "",
         "securerandom": False,
 
-        # Hints default to TRUE
-        "hints": True,
-        "no_hints": False,
+        "hints": False,
         "disablemusic": False,
         "quickswap": False,
         "heartcolor": "red",
diff --git a/Rom.py b/Rom.py
index 2227cbe9..60b40ab6 100644
--- a/Rom.py
+++ b/Rom.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ from EntranceShuffle import door_addresses, exit_ids
 
 
 JAP10HASH = '03a63945398191337e896e5771f77173'
-RANDOMIZERBASEHASH = 'f8f1b851b091d50af2b87283ea79ed90'
+RANDOMIZERBASEHASH = '56cf37536facb8e6b19d2ce516436f66'
 
 
 class JsonRom(object):
@@ -2026,7 +2026,7 @@ def write_strings(rom, world, player, team):
         if world.doorShuffle[player] in ['crossed']:
             attic_hint = world.get_location("Thieves' Town - Attic", player).parent_region.dungeon.name
             this_hint = 'A cracked floor can be found in ' + attic_hint + '.'
-            if hint_locations[0] == 'telepathic_tile_thieves_town_upstairs':
+            if world.intensity[player] < 2 and hint_locations[0] == 'telepathic_tile_thieves_town_upstairs':
                 tt[hint_locations.pop(1)] = this_hint
             else:
                 tt[hint_locations.pop(0)] = this_hint
@@ -2115,6 +2115,17 @@ def write_strings(rom, world, player, team):
     bombos_text = 'Some Hot Air' if bombositem is None else hint_text(bombositem, True) if bombositem.pedestal_hint_text is not None else 'Unknown Item'
     tt['tablet_bombos_book'] = bombos_text
 
+    # attic hint
+    if world.doorShuffle[player] in ['crossed']:
+        attic_hint = world.get_location("Thieves' Town - Attic", player).parent_region.dungeon.name
+        tt['blind_not_that_way'] = f'{attic_hint} is too bright for my eyes'
+        # see tagalog.asm tables at 957,967 or Follower_HandleTrigger in JPDASM
+        # also the baserom table at org $09A4C2 in hooks.asm (Escort text)
+        rom.write_byte(0x04a4be, 0xac)  # change the room to blind's room
+        rom.write_byte(0x04a526, 0xb8)  # y coordinate, shifted down
+        rom.write_byte(0x04a529, 0x19)  # x tile shifted right a few tiles
+        rom.write_byte(0x04a52e, 0x06)  # follower set to blind maiden
+
     # inverted spawn menu changes
     if world.mode[player] == 'inverted':
         tt['menu_start_2'] = "{MENU}\n{SPEED0}\n≥@'s house\n Dark Chapel\n{CHOICE3}"
diff --git a/Utils.py b/Utils.py
index 06ccca62..cf3db3fb 100644
--- a/Utils.py
+++ b/Utils.py
@@ -294,29 +294,18 @@ def update_deprecated_args(args):
     if args:
         argVars = vars(args)
         truthy = [1, True, "True", "true"]
-        # Hints default to TRUE
+        # Hints default to FALSE
         # Don't do: Yes
         # Do:       No
         if "no_hints" in argVars:
-            src = "no_hints"
-            if isinstance(argVars["hints"], dict):
-                tmp = {}
-                for idx in range(1, len(argVars["hints"]) + 1):
-                    tmp[idx] = argVars[src] not in truthy  # tmp = !src
-                args.hints = tmp  # dest = tmp
-            else:
-                args.hints = args.no_hints not in truthy  # dest = !src
-        # Don't do: No
-        # Do:       Yes
-        if "hints" in argVars:
-            src = "hints"
-            if isinstance(argVars["hints"], dict):
-                tmp = {}
-                for idx in range(1, len(argVars["hints"]) + 1):
-                    tmp[idx] = argVars[src] not in truthy  # tmp = !src
-                args.no_hints = tmp  # dest = tmp
-            else:
-                args.no_hints = args.hints not in truthy  # dest = !src
+            if args.no_hints in truthy:
+                if isinstance(argVars["hints"], dict):
+                    tmp = {}
+                    for idx in range(1, len(argVars["hints"]) + 1):
+                        tmp[idx] = False
+                    args.hints = tmp
+                else:
+                    args.hints = False
 
         # Spoiler defaults to TRUE
         # Don't do: Yes
diff --git a/asm/drhooks.asm b/asm/drhooks.asm
index 6739de34..2824771e 100644
--- a/asm/drhooks.asm
+++ b/asm/drhooks.asm
@@ -173,6 +173,12 @@ JSL RainPrevention : NOP #2
 org $1edabf ; <- sprite_energy_ball.asm : 86-7 Sprite_EnergyBall (LDA.b #$10 : LDX.b #$00)
 JSL StandardAgaDmg
 
+
+org $09a681 ; < - similar to talalong.asm : 1157 (JSL Main_ShowTextMessage)
+JSL BlindsAtticHint : NOP #2
+org $1cfd69
+Main_ShowTextMessage:
+
 ; These two, if enabled together, have implications for vanilla BK doors in IP/Hera/Mire
 ; IPBJ is common enough to consider not doing this. Mire is not a concern for vanilla - maybe glitched modes
 ; Hera BK door back can be seen with Pot clipping - likely useful for no logic seeds
diff --git a/asm/overrides.asm b/asm/overrides.asm
index 8f78bb5d..4ab5d3ca 100644
--- a/asm/overrides.asm
+++ b/asm/overrides.asm
@@ -148,3 +148,10 @@ StandardAgaDmg:
 		LDA.b #$10 ; hurt him!
 	+ RTL ; A is zero if the AND results in zero and then Agahnim's invincible!
 
+; note: this skips both maiden dialog triggers if the hole is open
+BlindsAtticHint:
+	CMP.w #$0122 : BNE +
+	LDA $7EF0CA : AND.w #$0100 : BEQ +
+		SEP #$20 : RTL ; skip the dialog box if the hole is already open
+	+ SEP #$20 : JML Main_ShowTextMessage
+
diff --git a/data/base2current.bps b/data/base2current.bps
index 97c703b3..974762d1 100644
Binary files a/data/base2current.bps and b/data/base2current.bps differ
diff --git a/resources/app/gui/lang/en.json b/resources/app/gui/lang/en.json
index f7cdc0a3..303e91cb 100644
--- a/resources/app/gui/lang/en.json
+++ b/resources/app/gui/lang/en.json
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@
     "randomizer.entrance.entranceshuffle.dungeonssimple": "Dungeons + Simple",
 
 
-    "randomizer.gameoptions.hints": "Include Helpful Hints",
+
     "randomizer.gameoptions.nobgm": "Disable Music & MSU-1",
     "randomizer.gameoptions.quickswap": "L/R Quickswapping",
 
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@
     "randomizer.generation.rom.dialog.romfiles": "Rom Files",
     "randomizer.generation.rom.dialog.allfiles": "All Files",
 
-
+    "randomizer.item.hints": "Include Helpful Hints",
     "randomizer.item.retro": "Retro mode (universal keys)",
 
     "randomizer.item.worldstate": "World State",
diff --git a/resources/app/gui/randomize/gameoptions/widgets.json b/resources/app/gui/randomize/gameoptions/widgets.json
index 815f72b1..7f612cb4 100644
--- a/resources/app/gui/randomize/gameoptions/widgets.json
+++ b/resources/app/gui/randomize/gameoptions/widgets.json
@@ -1,9 +1,5 @@
 {
   "checkboxes":   {
-    "hints": {
-      "type": "checkbox",
-      "default": "true"
-    },
     "nobgm":      { "type": "checkbox" },
     "quickswap":  { "type": "checkbox" }
   },
diff --git a/resources/app/gui/randomize/item/widgets.json b/resources/app/gui/randomize/item/widgets.json
index 058d03ba..043a29ed 100644
--- a/resources/app/gui/randomize/item/widgets.json
+++ b/resources/app/gui/randomize/item/widgets.json
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 {
   "checkboxes": {
     "retro": { "type": "checkbox" },
-    "shopsanity": { "type": "checkbox" }
+    "shopsanity": { "type": "checkbox" },
+    "hints": {
+      "type": "checkbox"
+    }
   },
   "leftItemFrame": {
     "worldstate": {
diff --git a/source/classes/constants.py b/source/classes/constants.py
index 64f44398..5c8f3ce3 100644
--- a/source/classes/constants.py
+++ b/source/classes/constants.py
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ CUSTOMITEMLABELS = [
 SETTINGSTOPROCESS = {
   "randomizer": {
     "item": {
+      "hints": "hints",
       "retro": "retro",
       "shopsanity": "shopsanity",
       "worldstate": "mode",
@@ -97,7 +98,6 @@ SETTINGSTOPROCESS = {
       "standardize_palettes": "standardize_palettes",
     },
     "gameoptions": {
-      "hints": "hints",
       "nobgm": "disablemusic",
       "quickswap": "quickswap",
       "heartcolor": "heartcolor",