Preview
What is Counterpoise?
Counterpoise is a block puzzle on a balance scale, where you place gem pieces on an 8×8 board to clear rows and columns and free lucky charms sealed in crystal. Every block tips the board toward its side, from 0.5 next to the middle to 3.5 on the edge, and any move that leaves the tilt above 16 is refused. Each of the 40 levels deals the same pieces in the same order, so a short puzzle can be planned ahead and replayed for 3 stars.
Key facts
- Genre
- Puzzle
- Players
- 1 (single player)
- Goal
- Free every charm sealed in crystal
- Tipping limit
- Tilt 16; edge blocks weigh 3.5, middle 0.5
- Levels
- 40 in 4 planet chapters, 3 stars each
- Endless modes
- Classic and a Daily board
- Session length
- Under 5 min
- Platform
- Web browser
- Devices
- Desktop, tablet, mobile
- Price
- Free
- Sign-up
- Not required
How do you play Counterpoise?
Drag one of the three tray pieces onto the 8×8 board; pieces cannot be rotated. Fill a whole row or column to clear it. Charms sit in crystal cells: clear a line through each crystal to free its charm, and free every charm to win the level. The board rests on a pivot, so each block adds tilt toward its side: 0.5 beside the middle line, 3.5 on the outer columns. A move that would leave the tilt above 16 is refused, and the level is lost when no piece can be placed. Three new pieces arrive once all three are used.
Tips & strategy
- Keep the bubble near the middle: answer a block on an outer column with weight on the opposite side before the tilt reaches 12.
- Park awkward pieces on columns 4 and 5, the two beside the middle line: each block there adds only 0.5 tilt, a seventh of an edge block.
- Tilt is checked after lines clear, so a piece that completes a heavy edge column is allowed even if its blocks alone would tip the board.
- Clear at least once every three pieces to keep a combo alive: each clear in a row adds 0.5 to the line multiplier, up to x4.
- For 3 stars, plan before the first drop: every try deals the same pieces in the same order, and par is the shortest win found.
- A clear that leaves the bubble almost centered (tilt 0.5 or less) doubles that clear's points, which adds up fast in Classic.
What are the controls in Counterpoise?
| ACTION | INPUT |
|---|---|
| Move a piece onto the board | Drag it from the tray |
| Place without dragging | Tap a piece, then a cell |
| Pick piece 1, 2 or 3 | Keys 1–3 |
| Move the piece over the board | Arrow keys |
| Drop the piece where it is | Enter or Space |
| Restart the level | R |
| Open the level list | L |
Plays with keyboard, mouse, and touch. Fullscreen works in desktop and mobile browsers.
Counterpoise FAQ
Why does Counterpoise refuse some moves?
A move is refused when the board's tilt would end above 16 after any rows or columns clear. Each block adds tilt toward its side: 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 or 3.5 from the middle columns out to the edge. The bubble on the board's top rail shows the current tilt, and a hollow ring shows where it would move before you drop a piece.
How do you free a charm in Counterpoise?
Clear a full row or column that passes through the charm's crystal cell. Crystals cannot be covered, so build the rest of that line around them. The level is won the moment the last charm is freed, and each charm adds 250 points to the score.
How are stars earned in Counterpoise?
Stars count the pieces used to free every charm. Matching the level's par, the shortest win the level checker found, gives 3 stars. Using up to half of par more (at least 2 extra pieces) gives 2 stars, and any other win gives 1 star.
What is the Level bonus in Counterpoise?
When a clear leaves the board almost perfectly balanced, with a tilt of 0.5 or less, the points for that clear are doubled and the game shows Level! x2. It stacks with the combo multiplier, which grows by 0.5 for each clear in a row up to x4.
What is the difference between Classic and the Daily board in Counterpoise?
Both start from an empty board and go on until no piece fits. Classic deals a new random order every game, while the Daily board deals the same pieces to every player on the same date, so scores can be compared. Each mode keeps its own best score.
What does Second chance do in Counterpoise?
In Classic and the Daily board, if you run out of moves after placing at least 15 pieces, you can wipe the board clean once and keep playing. Your score and the pieces in the tray stay as they were. The 40 levels have no second chance; they restart with the same pieces instead.
Can pieces be rotated in Counterpoise?
No. Each of the 37 shapes keeps its orientation, and turned or mirrored versions are separate pieces in the draw. Because a level always deals the same sequence, knowing which shape comes next matters more than turning it.
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