Classic Star Battle uses two stars per unit, usually on a 10×10 board with ten regions. It's one of the most popular competition logic puzzles because the rules fit in a sentence and the deductions go deep.
Star Battle rules in 30 seconds
- 1Every row contains exactly two stars.
- 2Every column contains exactly two stars.
- 3Every outlined region contains exactly two stars.
- 4Stars never touch: not side by side, not above or below, not diagonally.
See it on a board
Stars can't touch
The no-touching rule reaches in all eight directions. The moment you place a star, the eight cells around it can't hold another. That's why the best Star Battle players spend more time crossing cells out than placing stars.
Rows, columns and regions
Each star counts toward its row, its column and its region at the same time. Once a row has its two stars, every other cell in that row is out. The same goes for columns and regions. Regions can be any shape, so follow the heavy borders carefully.
When a unit is forced
The strongest deduction in Star Battle: if a row, column or region has exactly as many available cells left as stars it still needs, all of those cells are stars. Remember that two neighbouring candidates can't both become stars.
Worked example
- 1Two regions sit entirely inside the same two rows.
- 2Together they need 4 stars, which is exactly what those two rows can hold.
- 3So every cell in those rows outside the regions is crossed out, without placing a single star.
Star Battle tips and strategies
Cross out aggressively
After every star, remove all eight neighbours. Eliminations reveal stars faster than hunting for them.
Start with small regions
A tiny region has very few places for its stars, and they often touch each other.
Think in groups
You may not know which cell holds a star, only that one of two cells must. That's still enough to clear cells elsewhere.
Count what's left
Needed stars versus available cells, for every row, column and region. When they match, place them.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting the diagonal part of the no-touching rule.
- Misreading a region's border around a bend.
- Placing two stars in neighbouring candidate cells of the same region.
Play Star Battle in 10+ Number Puzzles
- Tap a cell to place a star when you're sure. Placements that can't be right are turned away instead of left on the board.
- Switch on Notes to mark a cell as a candidate star or as excluded (×).
- Auto Notes marks stars and excluded cells so you can study the board's structure.
- Use Check Game to confirm progress: a legal but unfinished board is simply correct so far.
- Five difficulty levels, each a ladder of stages from Easy to Genius.
- Go online for free: ranked 1v1 duels, rooms where you race, co-op or play in teams, and tournaments.
- 27 more puzzle types in the same app, and online play never costs coins.
Star Battle FAQ
How many stars go in each row in Star Battle?
Exactly two stars in every row, and the same in every column and every region.
Can stars touch diagonally in Star Battle?
No. Stars can't touch in any of the eight directions, diagonals included.
What's the difference between Star Battle, 1-Star and 3-Star Battle?
Only the number of stars per row, column and region. 1-Star Battle is the gentlest start, 2 stars is the classic, and 3-Star Battle uses bigger boards for a serious challenge.
