Large Grids, Small Space
An 8x8 grid at a quarter of the page keeps cells large enough for a dot or a star. Work with a sharp pencil, and finish each grid before starting the next to keep the notes apart.
Where the Hard Grids Open
On Hard 8x8 grids, the first star often comes from a trial: pick a region with two or three free cells, place a star in one, and follow its neighbors until another region is left empty.
A Paper Queens Workout
Players of the Queens puzzle will find the same rules here, with three levels and four boards per sheet. The 8x8 Star Battle page offers one board per page for a larger print.