Timothy's Progression Thread | Grinding Megaminx | Preparing for Southeast Champs 2024

[TimCube]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forums, so I decided to start a progression thread to explain what my goals are for this summer.

To give you a little bit of my background, several years ago I was into cubing. I used the beginner's method and was able to get my pb down to 36.00. I also solved the 2x2, 5x5, pyraminx, and megaminx. I'm finally back, and once I recover what I had already learned, I'm going to begin learning the more advanced methods.

Where I'm at now:
I just today relearned the beginner's method, and my ao5 was 47.10 seconds. I currently do not remember how to solve the 5x5.

What I'm working to do:

• First of all, I'm buying new cubes. All my old speed cubes were budget, and they've been gathering dust for several years now. I am buying the YJ MGC 2x2, the MoYu RS3 M 2020 3x3, and the YJ MGC 5x5. Let me know what you think of these choices.
• I am going to continue perfecting the beginner's method until my new cubes come in. Then, I'll begin to learn the more advanced methods.
• For the 2x2, I will learn the Ortega method.
• For the 3x3, I will learn CFOP. Here is my plan to learn it, please let me know if you think I should add, remove, or reorganize any steps.

Intuitive F2L > 2-Look OLL > 2-Look PLL > Perfect Cross > Advanced F2L > Full PLL > Full OLL​

• For the 5x5, I will simply relearn whatever beginner's method I used before. I was able to average 5 minutes, and I'm pretty happy with that for now. Let me know what method you would recommend once I focus on improving my 5x5.
• I also setup a CubeDesk account to use as my timer and track my progress. I'll link my profile in my bio once I get more times on it.

What my goal is by August:

• Learn full CFOP
• Achieve a sub-30 average of 5 for the 3x3
• Learn the full Ortega method
• Achieve a sub-5 average of 5 for the 2x2
• Relearn how to solve the 5x5
• Achieve a sub-4 minute single for the 5x5

 

[OreKehStrah]

For learning CFOP, I would say learn 4LLL and basic intuitive F2L as you mention, but then just go ahead and learn full PLL and then OLL. That way you will have all the algs you need learned for a long time and can then really focus on your cross and F2L. Of course it would be better to just work on all of it since it’s not that hard to learn a couple algs each day and also practice other things.

Also for learning algs, pay attention to how pieces are moving instead of just memorizing it as a set of moves. If you think about what an LL alg does, you’re basically gonna have to break up the F2L in some way, do some moves to change some pieces around, then resolve the F2L probably in a diff way to achieve some kind of effect. T perm for example is take the FR pair out, R’ F to hide the pair, move the FL pair around that got bumped into the U layer by the F move, then reinsert the FL pair. I cannot stress enough how helpful it is to break down algs like this into a more memorable and somewhat understandable logic to make them a lot easier to learn

 

[TimCube]

For learning CFOP, I would say learn 4LLL and basic intuitive F2L as you mention, but then just go ahead and learn full PLL and then OLL. That way you will have all the algs you need learned for a long time and can then really focus on your cross and F2L. Of course it would be better to just work on all of it since it’s not that hard to learn a couple algs each day and also practice other things.

Also for learning algs, pay attention to how pieces are moving instead of just memorizing it as a set of moves. If you think about what an LL alg does, you’re basically gonna have to break up the F2L in some way, do some moves to change some pieces around, then resolve the F2L probably in a diff way to achieve some kind of effect. T perm for example is take the FR pair out, R’ F to hide the pair, move the FL pair around that got bumped into the U layer by the F move, then reinsert the FL pair. I cannot stress enough how helpful it is to break down algs like this into a more memorable and somewhat understandable logic to make them a lot easier to learn

I've thought about what you said, and I like what you said better. I'm just going to learn a couple algorithms each day, while I learn Ortega and 5x5. Thanks for the advice!

 

[OreKehStrah]

I've thought about what you said, and I like what you said better. I'm just going to learn a couple algorithms each day, while I learn Ortega and 5x5. Thanks for the advice!

No problem, let me know if you have any other questions and I'd be glad to try to help

 

[abunickabhi]

I've thought about what you said, and I like what you said better. I'm just going to learn a couple algorithms each day, while I learn Ortega and 5x5. Thanks for the advice!

Good luck learning algs yoooo!

Keep us posted about your progress.

 

[TimCube]

Status update: I ordered the new cubes, and I decided to wait until they come in before I start learning CFOP. Until then, I'm going to pick back up on 2x2 and 5x5.

I memorized everything for JPerm's beginners' method for the 5x5 this morning: I had a 6:02 ao5 . Of course, my current 5x5 is moving like the Rubik's brand, can't wait to get my MGC next week!

This afternoon I'll continue practicing 5x5 and learn the first few algorithms for the 2x2 Ortega method.

 

[TimCube]

Also, I linked my Cube Desk profile in my signature. I'm using it as my timer, you can check my pbs there.

 

[TimCube]

Just got a pb 3x3 single at 32.29! I'll admit, it was a fairly easy scramble, but it's not bad considering I'm still on the beginner's method.

Yesterday I tried learning algorithms for 2x2, 3x3, and 5x5, and it was way to much. I'm going to take it one at a time, so right now I'm going to set the others aside and focus on CFOP.

 

[TimCube]

I received my order from speedcubeshop today, and I am very happy with everything. Here's an overview of what I got:

YJ MGC 2x2
I didn't need a new 2x2 as desperately as the other cubes that I replaced, but since it's one of the few events I plan on training for my first competition, I bought one anyway. Out of the box, it feels a bit tight, but nothing I can't change.

MoYu RS3M 2020 3x3
The 3x3 budget speed cube that I salvaged from my junk drawer was a nightmare, so I decided to play it safe and try out the renowned RS3M. It's my first stickerless cube (all the cubes from my order are stickerless), so it's taking time to adjust. Corner cutting is great, and I went from a dozen lockups a solve to none. It's a little bit noisy, but that might be because of my aggressive turning style.

GAN i Carry 3x3
To those of you who are questioning my decision buying this cube: it's a GAN, end of discussion (that was a joke, feel free to laugh)

I thought that it was a good deal at $30 for a smart cube, and I'm very happy with it. I'm learning CFOP, and there's a lot of training features to learn and practice algorithms in the cubestation app, which I'm sure will be helpful. I'm really enjoying not having to start and stop the timer. Even the cube itself moves great, though I'm not one to judge, since it's only my third real 3x3. The magnets seem pretty strong, but that might be because I only today got my first magnet cubes.

YJ MGC 5x5
The 5x5 is my favorite event, but my old dusty cube has put a damper on the experience. I decided to pay a bit more than I was expecting for the MGC, which had great reviews on the website and YouTube. This was probably the biggest upgrade of my order, it moves incredibly fast in contrast to my old 5x5. I was able to shave an entire minute off of my personal best within a few solves of unboxing.

Other Accessories
I also bought the QiYi tutorial book and the QiYi M bag. I highly recommend the book; it's like the algorithm pamphlets all put together into one compact and easy to read book. It's only $3, and has guides for all WCA events and 15 other non-WCA puzzles. I bought the bag because I've been carrying around my cubes a lot without a proper case, and I'll be traveling a lot this summer.

 

[TimCube]

Now for a progress update:

I've memorized 4 OLL algorithms so far, and by memorized, I mean both learned and practiced in an OLL trainer. I'm learning at a rate of 2 algs per day, so I'm hoping to know all of CFOP in two months.

For times, I was almost able to get my first sub-30 with my new GAN (30.3 seconds). I also shattered my 5x5 record by over a minute with my new MGC, at 4:28.77.

 

[TimCube]

I got my first sub-30 time with my GAN, 27.94! It was a lucky scramble, but I'm happy with it. I've been consistently getting 30 second solves now with beginners.

As for my progress learning CFOP, I have now committed 8 OLL algorithms to muscle memory. I've been using JPerm's OLL trainer, and I've done 350 solves on it for those 8 algs. To meet my goal by the end of the summer, I need to average 4 seconds at most on OLL, and right now my average of 100 is 2.87 seconds.

 

[TimCube]

Almost one month later, and I'm finally back home. I was out of town for several weeks, and sadly I'm about to leave again . All the traveling is making it very difficult to learn CFOP.

5x5 (Reduction Method)
Nevertheless, I'm back at it. I've been focusing more on 5x5 lately, my pb single is 3:16.67 and my ao5 is 3:33.65. A few days ago I started learning the reduction method (before I used the beginner's), and I'm already solving with it below my previous average times. Once I learn the last two center algs, last two edges algs, and practice more, I should be able to average close to 3 minutes. Of course, it'll be even faster once I can use CFOP when finishing the solve, but I'm still working on that.

3x3 (CFOP)
As I said, it's been difficult to stay consistent and learn new algs with all the traveling I've been doing. I left off knowing 11 OLL algs, but now I just need to take a day refreshing what I learned before I resume. It's become a bit of a chore, 5x5 has been a lot more fun to learn since it's intuitive.

 

[TimCube]

Also, I made a bunch of new purchases this past week:

• Tornado V3 Flagship 3x3
• MoYu Super RS3M Maglev 3x3
• GAN 356 M 3x3
• MoYu Weilong Maglev Pyraminx
• YJ MGC Megaminx

... as well as SCS's lube sampler pack. Hopefully I don't get too distracted with all the new cubes coming in.

 

[TimCube]

It’s been very difficult to find the motivation to learn all the algorithms for CFOP. Sure, I’ve been busy and traveling a lot, but even when I’m home, there’s just so many algs.

Someone please motivate me or give me a tip that helped you push through learning this many algs.

 

[OtaMota]

Which algs do you need to know?

 

[TimCube]

I'm currently learning OLL, only 9 algs in. I'm learning full CFOP, so I need all other 111

 

[OtaMota]

so I need all other 111

There are only 57 OLL algs in total, try to learn OLLs in groups, for example, try to practice and learn similar cases. Don't do more than 2-3 cases a day.

 

[CoderGuru]

@TimCube Try learning 2 Look OLL and then Full OLL. You will have a better idea of what you are doing. Since you have the Gan Carry which is actually really good as a speedcube(not allowed in comps Im afraid), I would recommend using it instead of your RS3M, unless you are planning to go to a competition, in which case I would get used to the RS3M

 

[TimCube]

There are only 57 OLL algs in total, try to learn OLLs in groups, for example, try to practice and learn similar cases. Don't do more than 2-3 cases a day.

That's what my plan has been, the problem has more so been finding the motivation to get through them all, as busy as I have been.

 

[TimCube]

@TimCube Try learning 2 Look OLL and then Full OLL. You will have a better idea of what you are doing. Since you have the Gan Carry which is actually really good as a speedcube(not allowed in comps Im afraid), I would recommend using it instead of your RS3M, unless you are planning to go to a competition, in which case I would get used to the RS3M

Originally I was going to learn 2 look OLL, but I'm not very good at breaking bad habits, so I found it better to start out with full OLL.

I've been using my GAN 356 M and Tornado Flagship for solves and practice, I like them a lot better than the RS3M.