M2 tutorial + Progression

[Zane_C]

A tutorial for cubers who already have some experience with blindfold solving, this does not cover the fundamental basics.
M2 is a relatively fast method that is popular for blindfold solving the edges on the 3x3 Rubik's Cube.

Setup moves and algorithms for all the targets:

Spoiler

Shooting to targets outside M-slice:
UL = L U' L' U (M2) U' L U L'
UR = R' U R U' (M2) U R' U' R
FL = U' L' U (M2) U' L U
FR = U R U' (M2) U R' U'
LU = x' U L' U' (M2) U L U' x
LF = x' U L2 U' (M2) U L2 U' x
LD = x' U L U' (M2) U L' U' x
LB = x' L' U L U' (M2) U L' U' L x
BL = U' L U (M2) U' L' U
BR = U R' U' (M2) U R U'
RU = x' U' R U (M2) U' R' U x
RB = x' R U' R' U (M2) U' R U R' x
RD = x' U' R' U (M2) U' R U x
RF = x' U' R2 U (M2) U' R2 U x
DL = U' L2 U (M2) U' L2 U
DR = U R2 U' (M2) U R2 U'

An alternative for shooting to RB and LB are:

u R u'
u' L u

M-slice targets:
UB = M2
BU = B' R B U R2 U' (M2) U R2 U' B' R' B
UF = U2 M' U2 M'
FU = D M' U R2 U' M U R2 U' D' M2
DB = M U2 M U2
BD = M2 D U R2 U' M' U R2 U' M D'

Example solve:

Spoiler

It's a good habit to memorise in pairs, because you know the M-slice will be misaligned if the first target of the pair has been executed.

(Methods for memorising in pairs)

RF = x' U' R2 U (M2) U' R2 U x
FU: Since this is the second target of a pair, the M-slice is misaligned so you must shoot to BD: M2 D U R2 U' M' U R2 U' M D'

BR = U R' U' (M2) U R U'
UB = M2

UR = R' U R U' (M2) U R' U' R
FL = U' L' U (M2) U' L U

DB = This is the first target of a pair, so we know that the M-slice is not misaligned, therefore we shoot to DB: M U2 M U2
UL = L U' L' U (M2) U' L U L'

RD = x' U' R' U (M2) U' R U x
DL = U' L2 U (M2) U' L2 U

LB = x' L' U L U' (M2) U L' U' L x
UB = M2

Parity:

Spoiler

-If you solve corners first:
Leave UBL and UBR swapped. Then once you've finished the edges, apply: M2 y L2 (T-perm) L2

-If you solve edges first:
Once you've solved all the edges, apply: D' L2 D M2 D' L2 D.
Then solve an odd number of corners with Classic Pochmann.

----------------------------------------------------

NOTE: Even though this tutorial involves the use of commutators, you are not required to understand how they work.

The general idea:
Apply a setup move that transforms 2 targets, so that one target is UB and the other target (previous or preceding) is outside the M-slice.
The resultant solution will be a conjugated commutator. 'M2' will always be the interchanging move, (in other words: 'M2' will always appear twice).

The commutator will be similar to the one below:

Cycle = DF>FL>UB

U' L' U (M2) U' L U (M2)
   A     B      A'   B'

Examples:

Spoiler

Example #1: DF>LD>UR
U' - B L B' (M2) B L' B' M2 - U

Example #2: DF>RF>DB
B2 - B' R2 B (M2) B' R2 B M2 - B2

Example #3: DF>UF>DR
U2 - M2 U R2 U' (M2) U R2 U' - U2

Example #4: DF>FL>RB
B - U' L' U (M2) U' L U M2 - B'

Example #5: DF>UL>FR
U - M2 U R U' (M2) U R' U' - U'

Example #6: DF>RF>LB
B' - B' R2 B (M2) B' R2 B M2 - B

 

[PandaCuber]

This is what I wanted. Thanks Zane

 

[Cubenovice]

Currently at work so cannot watch but I can already say this:

THANK YOU!

Going to switch to M2 in due time but first wanted to set a comp result with full OP.
If this tutorial is as good as your previous one I might switch sooner

 

[chardison1980]

very nicely done, thanks

 

[emolover]

I can't wait to watch this when I get home.

 

[~Adam~]

Good video. Thank you.

 

[rubiksarlen]

For those special commutator techniques you showed in the progression video, it is impossible to use it when there are 2 edges in the M-slice to solve, right? Also, thanks for your very helpful tut!

 

[Zane_C]

For those special commutator techniques you showed in the progression video, it is impossible to use it when there are 2 edges in the M-slice to solve, right? Also, thanks for your very helpful tut!

If there are originally 2 targets in the M-slice, they can still be setup to one of these commutators, but the setup may be quite complicated (well over 1 move). You're welcome.

 

[timelonade]

This is really cool! Thanks! And I love how you say "prime" xD

 

[jonlin]

To shoot to RB and LB do:
u R u'
u' L u
Much better, isn't it?

 

[JonnyWhoopes]

To shoot to RB and LB do:
u R u'
u' L u
Much better, isn't it?

Holy poop, why have I never thought of that?

 

[Rpotts]

To shoot to RB and LB do:
u R u'
u' L u
Much better, isn't it?

This is pretty cool. I had a similar reaction to JonnyWhoopes lol.

RU : R u R u'
RB : u R u'
RD : R' u R u'
RF : R2 u R u'

LU : L' u' L' u
LB : u' L' u
LD : L u' L' u
LF : L2 u' L' u

 

[Zane_C]

To shoot to RB and LB do:
u R u'
u' L u
Much better, isn't it?

Indeed, those setups are edited in now. Thanks.

 

[JasonK]

To shoot to RB and LB do:
u R u'
u' L u
Much better, isn't it?

I feel like such an ***** for not thinking of that...

EDIT: I also feel like an ***** for not realising that the word ***** gets censored...

 

[Jakube]

I feel like such an ***** for not thinking of that...

Me too!

From now on: no more cube rotations during edges!

 

[aronpm]

To shoot to RB and LB do:
u R u'
u' L u
Much better, isn't it?

Instead of u' L' u you can do u R' u'.

I have seen these before but I didn't really like them because I had to move where my fingers grip the cube to do u moves. I use u moves sometimes now so this insertion could be useful