Medium Star Battle answer — November 4, 2025

Full written solution

Every deduction from the walkthrough above, in order. Each technique is explained in the Star Battle strategy guide.

1. Starting position — the grid is split into regions (bold outlines). Each row, column, and region needs exactly two stars, and no two stars may touch.
2. 3-cell region rule: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 6, column 9).
3. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 5, column 9).
4. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 8).
5. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 9).
6. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 8).
7. Column 9 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 9).
8. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 8, column 5).
9. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 2, column 1).
10. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 2, column 2).
11. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 3, column 7).
12. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 4, column 7).
13. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 6).
14. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 8).
15. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
16. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 8).
17. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 7).
18. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 6).
19. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 7, column 6).
20. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 5).
21. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 4).
22. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 5).
23. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 4).
24. Row 4 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 4, column 1).
25. Column 5 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 5).
26. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 3, column 2).
27. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 3, column 1).
28. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 3).
29. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 3).
30. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 6).
31. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
32. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 4).
33. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 3).
34. Row 9 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
35. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 6).
36. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 7).
37. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 7).
38. Row 6 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 1).
39. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 4).
40. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
41. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 8, column 1).
42. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 1).
43. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 3).
44. Column 1 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
45. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 2).
46. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 2).
47. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 3).
48. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.