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