In each level, there are a certain amount of "naked stars" (out in the open and free to collect), "boxed stars", and "hidden stars" (secrets, red coins, and bosses). Naked and box stars are generally faster in most cases. This guide lists those out to help you route out the quickest 70 star path. You're going to need 4-5 stars per stage and then probably grab some secret stage stars give or take.
BOB: 1 Naked (Chain Chomp) 1 Box (Island) 5 Hidden (Bomb King, Koopa the Quick, Red Coins, Secrets, 100 Coins) Notes: Generally recommend getting at least Chain Chomp and the Box star. Bomb King is risky, but if he spawns near you, might be worth the grab - just be wary of his star spawning far away. Koopa the Quick is on average about 45 seconds. 100 coins can sometimes be fast if they all spawn near the ground.
WF: 4 Naked (Wild Blue, Cannonless, Owlless, Top of the Tower - Requires Whomp King) 3 Hidden (Whomp King, Red Coins, 100 Coins) Notes: The first three naked stars are generally easy to collect. Red + 100 coins is also a good option in most instances as there are plenty of coins around the stage. Overall recommend completing all 7 stars.
JRB: 1 Naked (Jet Stream - after Star 1) 2 Boxed (Inside Ship, Cannon) 4 Hidden (Treasure Chests, Eel, Red Coins, 100 Coins) Notes: In the current version, this stage can present difficulties. If you can avoid this stage, I'd suggest it. Otherwise, your safest bets are the treasure chest star and potentially reds + 100. If your box star isn't OOB, go for that as well - which opens up the rest of the stars.
CCM: 1 Naked (Wall Kicks Will Work) 6 Hidden (Slide, Baby Penguin, Penguin Race, Red Coins, Snowman's Head, 100 Coins) Notes: Wall Kicks Will Work is the fastest star in this level. After that, finishing the slide and exiting the cabin can be fast, but the star often spawns far away. Baby penguin can also be fast, but again depends on the baby's spawn and where the star ends up. Penguin race is iffy because of star spawn randomization. Snowman requires all 5 stars before it.
BitDW: 1 Hidden (Reds) Notes: Depending on your spawn, this star can be fast. Bear in mind the star spawn location and decide if worth it.
BBH: 1 Naked (Secret of the Haunted Books) 6 Hidden (Ghost Hunt, Eyeball, Balcony Boo, Merry-go-Round, Red Coins, 100 Coins) Notes: It is recommended to have Vanish Cap first if possible. The naked star is free. 100 coins may be viable combined with ghost hunt, but be wary of where the Big Boo can spawn. Some entities still spawn OOB as of 0.4. Eyeball and Balcony Boo are safe bets also.
HMC: 5 Naked (Dorrie, Metal Head Mario, Rolling Rocks, Elevator, Amazing Exit) 2 Hidden (Red Coins, 100 Coins) Notes: Going for all 5 naked stars is a good strategy. They tend to appear in the red coins area, the pit, or the toxic maze in clusters, as well as in the elevator rooms.
LLL: 1 Naked (Log Rolling) 4 Hidden (Big Bully, Bullies, Red Coins, 100 Coins) 2 Volcano, Naked (Elevator Lift, Top of Volcano) Notes: Log rolling is pretty fast. The Big Bully and little bullies in most cases will likely already fall into the lava or be near you, so these two are also fast. The two volcano stars are recommended. Red coins / 100 are sort of slow but good for a backup if you have wingcap.
SSL: 2 Naked (Top of Pyramid, Klepto) 2 Hidden (Red coins, 100 coins) 1 Naked in Pyramid 2 Hidden in Pyramid (Secrets, Eye-rock) Notes: Grab the first two naked stars first, then go for secrets and the naked star inside the pyramid. The secrets are always in the same spot, though the star spawns randomly. Eye-rock is fairly quick as well.
DDD: 2 Naked (Bowser Sub, Collect the Caps) 5 Hidden (Chests, Manta, Rings, Red Coins, 100 Coins) Notes: Go for chests first, then Bowser's sub. This gives you access to the manta star and collect the caps. Bear in mind that swimming in this stage is slow - but you need to collect Bowser sub star at a minimum to open BitFS. Bear in mind the naked stars can spawn behind the Bowser sub exit, so you may need to kill Bowser in the Firesea to access.
BitFS: 1 Hidden (Red Coins) Notes: This red coin star is fast if you spawn near the bottom and don't need to backtrack. Worth grabbing regardless.
SL: 2 Naked (Snowman's Head, Ice Sculpture) 1 Box (Frozen Pond) 3 Hidden (Big Bully, Red Coins, 100 Coins) 1 Naked in Igloo Notes: The naked stars, box star, and big bully star are a quick grab, as is the igloo star if you have vanish cap. Red coins can be quick as well, though 100 coins will vary.
WDW: 2 Naked (Elevator, Downtown) 2 Box (Top of the Town, Shocking Arrow Lifts) 3 Hidden (Secrets, Reds, 100 Coins) Notes: The elevator star, two box stars, secret star and 100 coins star are all a quick grab. Avoid going downtown if possible as swimming is slow / reds still spawn OOB as of 0.4.
TTM: Naked (Top of Mountain, Mountainside, Bridge, Lone Mushroom) Hidden (Monkey Cage, Reds, 100 Coins) Notes: Go for all the hidden stars and the monkey cage.
THI: 0 Naked 1 Box (Top of Mountain) Hidden (Koopa the Quick, Piranhas, Reds, Wiggler, Secrets, 100 Coins) Notes: As of 0.4, Piranhas is slow, and Wiggler's star can spawn OOB. Recommended to get the secrets, box, and red + 100 coins. If Piranhas are easy for you to find, Koopa the Quick is a fast star also.
TTC: 5 Naked 2 Hidden (Reds, 100 coins) Notes: Get every star here. They're all fast.
RR: 4 Naked (Triangles, Breeze, Top of House, Ship) 1 Box (Cannon) 2 Hidden (Reds, 100 Coins) Notes: This stage is hit or miss. The naked stars tend to appear at the bottom of the coin maze, vanilla spawn, on top of the big house, or at the bottom of the swings structure.
Wing Cap: 1 Hidden (Reds) Notes: Sometimes hard to get the coins in one cap and may take multiple attempts. I would avoid this star.
Metal Cap: 1 Hidden (Reds) Notes: This star is very fast. Recommend grabbing.
Vanish Cap: 1 Hidden (Reds) Notes: Most of the time, coins spawn all on the slide - but sometimes spawn far away by the switch while the star spawns further away. Take note of these locations and decide if it's worth it.
Princess's Secret Slide: 1 Box Star 1 Hidden Star (Timer) Notes: Collect both of these as they are < 30 seconds each.
Aquarium: 1 Hidden (Reds) Notes: Swimming is slow, but this star is pretty easy and guaranteed. If you're out of ideas go for this one.
Wing Mario over the Rainbow: 1 Hidden (Reds) Notes: Strongly suggest avoiding this one unless you spawn next to the Bob-omb, otherwise this star will be impossible.
