I have a paper piecing confession that is my answer to your question - when i have 8 pieces meeting - i make a slight change to the star/compass pattern. I've never tried to explain it before, so hope this makes sense.
After sewing the 2 pieces that make up the 1/4 block - i sew an extra piece at an angle across the center point position in a way that is pleasing to the look of the rest of the star/compass. Then i cut off the fabric underneath. This gives me only a normal simple 4 piece for the join at the center of the final block.
I confess - i just got tired of fighting the "bumps" in the middle....life's too short and i figure it makes my blocks totally unique (ok - that part's just what i tell myself, but i'm sticking to it)