How to Play Star Battle
Star Battle is an elegant spatial deduction puzzle. On an 8×8 grid divided into 8 outlined regions, your goal is to place exactly one star in every row, column, and outlined region—without any two stars touching, not even diagonally.
The Rules of Star Battle
Simple, plain-language guidelines for solving every edition
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Each row must contain exactly 1 star.
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Each column must contain exactly 1 star.
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Each outlined region must contain exactly 1 star.
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No two stars may touch each other—neither orthogonally nor diagonally. This diagonal no-touch rule is the most crucial rule to keep in mind!
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Tap a cell to cycle: Empty → Star (★) → Dot/Empty Marker (·) → Empty.
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Every daily puzzle has a unique solution solvable purely by deduction with zero guesswork.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Key Rule: The Diagonal No-Touch Constraint
Check Single-Option Rows and Columns
Look across rows and columns. If blocks or dots leave only one available cell in a row or column, that cell must contain a star.
Block All 8 Surrounding Cells
Immediately upon placing a star, mark dots in all 8 adjacent cells (including the four diagonal corners) to eliminate them from consideration.
Use Region Containment
Each of the 8 outlined regions must contain exactly 1 star. If a region is confined entirely to a single row or column, no other star can be placed in that row or column.
Video Walkthrough
Strategy & Solving Tips
From first-time beginner habits to expert techniques
Beginner Essentials
- •Always remember the diagonal rule: stars cannot touch at the corners.
- •Use dot markers liberally to cross out cells that cannot contain stars.
- •Count row and column totals using the on-screen counters (0/1 or 1/1).
Advanced Patterns & Pro Techniques
Region-to-Line Pointers
When to use: When a region only occupies a single row or column.If all remaining valid cells of a region lie within a single row or column, the star for that row/column must be inside that region. Therefore, all other cells in that row/column outside the region can be marked empty.
Line-to-Region Pointers
When to use: When a row or column can only place its star inside one region.If all available unblocked cells in a row or column lie inside a single region, that region gets its star from that line. All other cells in the region outside that line can be marked empty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common rules questions and solving advice for Star Battle
Can two stars touch diagonally?
No! Stars may not touch horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Even touching at a single corner point is a violation.
How many stars are in each puzzle?
In our 8×8 daily format, there are exactly 8 stars total: one per row, one per column, and one per outlined region.
Does every puzzle have a unique solution?
Yes, every daily puzzle has exactly one verified unique solution and is 100% logic-solvable with no guessing.
Ready to Test Your Skill?
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