How to play Star Battle › Techniques
Single candidate
A single candidate is the last cell in a row, column or region that is not ruled out. Every unit needs exactly one star, so that cell must be the star. Place it, then dot out its whole row, column and region and the eight cells around it, which often creates the next single candidate.
How to use it
- Scan each row, column and region for one that has exactly one open (undotted) cell.
- Place the star in that cell.
- Dot every other cell in its row, column and region, plus the eight neighbours: stars never touch.
- Look again; the new dots usually leave another unit with a single open cell.
Worked example (6×6)
Highlighted: the cells the deduction looks at. Dots mean "no star here".
Every other cell of the orange region is already dotted, so its star has only one home. After placing it, its row, column, region and neighbours are all dotted out (circled).
From a real Solvedle puzzle. Needed in easy puzzles.
Practise on unlimited puzzles →
FAQ
Is a single candidate enough to solve a whole puzzle?
On small easy grids it can get you surprisingly far, but you usually need cell elimination as well to create the first single candidates.
Should I place dots or just stars?
Dots. Marking every ruled-out cell is what makes single candidates visible; Solvedle lets you drag across cells to dot many at once.