Star Battle Blog
What is Star Battle? (Two Not Touch)
Star Battle (often known as Two Not Touch) is a pure logic puzzle created in Japan. Unlike number puzzles or crosswords, Star Battle relies entirely on spatial deduction and elimination.
The 3 Core Rules:
- Row & Column Count: Every row and column must contain exactly the required number of stars (usually 2 stars for classic grids).
- Region Boundaries: Every irregular outlined region must contain exactly the required number of stars.
- No-Touch Rule: Stars cannot touch one another — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Every placed star must have an empty 8-cell buffer.
Essential Solving Strategies
- 2×2 Squares: A 2×2 box can never contain more than one star because of the diagonal no-touch rule. Use this to eliminate impossible candidate cells in tight areas.
- Region Overlaps: When an outlined region occupies rows or columns together with other regions, count total star capacity to deduce forced stars or empty lanes.
- Forced Corners: Narrow 1-cell corners often force immediate exclusions in adjacent squares.