Question 1

Why is the Compass Rose rated harder than the other symbol boards?

Accepted Answer

Because its eight arms all converge on one small, heavily covered center hub. The arms are easy individually, but the hub only opens after every arm has been retracted from all sides. Clearing one direction while neglecting others leaves the core buried, so the board demands balance and a plan, which earns it 3 out of 5.

Question 2

What is the best opening on the Compass Rose?

Accepted Answer

Pull the four long spikes inward from their tips. Each spike's outermost tile is free right away and lightly supported, so retracting them is the safest way to open the board while steadily uncovering the inner arms without disturbing the central hub too early.

Question 3

How do I avoid getting stuck at the center hub?

Accepted Answer

Keep all eight arms balanced as you play, taking a little off each direction in turn rather than stripping one or two arms completely. The hub is covered by every arm touching it, so it can only open from all sides at once. Also bank a couple of easy pairs from the arm tips as closers for the final hub tiles.

Question 4

Should I treat the short diagonal points differently from the long spikes?

Accepted Answer

Slightly. The long spikes are thin lines you can retract quickly tile by tile, while the short diagonal points are more compact and a bit denser. Include them in your balanced rotation around the star so the hub is uncovered evenly; do not leave the diagonals full while the long arms vanish, or the center stays locked.