I'm here to kick ass and chew gum! But I have a lot of gum, and I don't kick well

[Tahrbo]

Hi everyone!

I've been a cuber (if you can call it that) for several years. Well, to be specific, I've known the Beginner's Method for several years and I've been using a Rubik's brand 3x3x3. I've always been interested in learning a more efficient (and/or intuitive) method but never bothered to sit my ass down and try it. I've also never thought to get a better cube. Obviously the Rubik's brand is great for learners and I would suspect it's how most people learn to solve their first cube, but mine is like most out there, which means its durable, smooth, slow, and not built for speedcubing. I've bought several new cubes to try out.

I'm trying to learn CFOP now since it's a good jumping point from Beginner's. I'm working on F2L, and I expect I'll be working on it for the next 3 or so months. Or perhaps I'll be working on it for the rest of my life lol. I've seen BadMephisto's videos and I'm using those to get to a point where I can reflexively intuit a quick F2L solution for each corner slice. From what I've gathered, F2L mastery seems to require not an algorithmic approach but a level of familiarity that constitutes instant recognition and reaction, so at this point 4 out of 5 of my solves are stopping once two layers are done then it's scramble and start over for me.

I know absolutely no finger tricks. I know nothing about a fast solve. I simply know the Beginner's Method, and only the Beginner's Method. Last time I timed myself, some years ago, I think I figured out that I'm consistently able to solve my cube within 3 minutes.

Obviously I've got a lot to learn, if not everything to learn, heh.

There's a wealth of data on the webz, let alone these forums, but I've found that I like how the knowledge is at least somewhat compartmentalized on these forums compared to the chaos of Youtube and a Google search. It makes for easier swallowing. I'm glad to have these forums to draw on as a resource.

That being said, holy crap there's a lot of stuff to learn on these forums. I'm taking it slow since I don't want to get frustrated and quit due to impatience.

I've been reading the posts in the "What cube should I get?" The Puzzle Choice Thread leading back to December. That seems like a fresh enough starting point since the level of technology in cube manufacturing seems to have evolved drastically over the last year, to say nothing of the last 5 years. I'll make a post there in the next few days for some advice.

Hi all, I'm glad to be here.

 

[DeeDubb]

Welcome! I was in the same boat as you about a month ago when I joined up. I actually decided to go with Roux. The great thing about coming from beginner method is that you can really choose any method you want. I read on the forums that a lot of people wish they hadn't gone with CFOP and picked a more fun method (like Roux ) So I went for it. I really like Roux, and I'm down from like 1:40 using beginner method do under 40 seconds using Roux. CFOP is also very fast though, so whatever you want to do, just go for it. Be diligent with your practice, and when you have a speedcube, start using those finger tricks!

 

[guysensei1]

maybe consider petrus or ZZ. Or any other method that isnt the big 4?

 

[Tahrbo]

Welcome! I was in the same boat as you about a month ago when I joined up. I actually decided to go with Roux. The great thing about coming from beginner method is that you can really choose any method you want. I read on the forums that a lot of people wish they hadn't gone with CFOP and picked a more fun method (like Roux ) So I went for it. I really like Roux, and I'm down from like 1:40 using beginner method do under 40 seconds using Roux. CFOP is also very fast though, so whatever you want to do, just go for it. Be diligent with your practice, and when you have a speedcube, start using those finger tricks!

I like the idea of less algorithms so I tried Roux. I spent about a minute trying to go from 1x2x2 to a 1x2x3 all the while resisting this compulsion to make a cross.

If Beginner's is a good springboard for any other method and not just CFOP, why do so many choose CFOP? Is it the fact that this almighty cross is the same starting point? I mean it feels that way to me.

It just really feels daunting coming from a layer-by-layer solve mentality and switching to one where I've got two separate slabs and a lot of M-slice manipulation to be done.

A friend of mine does Petrus. We were sitting around waiting to get into Blizzcon once and he was trying to teach it to a third friend. For one step in particular he said that he wasn't able to teach it, it was just something that had to be learnt. That kind of made me disinclined to take it on. I fiddled for the next day or so and got decent at going from a 2x2x2 to a 3x2x2, at which point my mind would lock up and I'd start thinking of Starcraft.

Mind you I do not remember any of that 2x2x2 to 3x2x2 stuff (this was several years ago) otherwise I'd probably not have as much of a problem trying to wrap my mind around Roux since they kind of share a commonality in that regard. Going from 1x2x2 to 1x2x3 versus going from 2x2x2 to 3x2x2 seem like similar ways of thinking, or at least that's how my ignorant ass perceives things.

OK, getting down to brass tacks, where I feel like I would hit a wall with Roux is when I reach the CMLL step. Learning 42 algorithms seems like a lot of memorization, and if I'm looking at learning that many, does that not seem to negate one of the defining characteristics of Roux, that being a method that doesn't require learning a lot of algorithms? And again, it also just feels really weird to think of having to separate blocks and going from there to solving the corners while only being able to tear up the M-slice and U-layer.

Please don't interpret this as an attack on Roux, I'm just saying why what I've read makes me feel like CFOP is a more forgiving starting point. It's not like I can do an 8-step Cross or anything, but that cross staring me in the face and telling me everything's going to be all right is a very inviting presence.


Oh yeah, I forgot to mention hobbies of mine: video games (RPGs and fighting in particular), LEGO, anime, and Disney's Frozen. But let's not talk about Frozen lol.

 

[DeeDubb]

I like the idea of less algorithms so I tried Roux. I spent about a minute trying to go from 1x2x2 to a 1x2x3 all the while resisting this compulsion to make a cross.

If Beginner's is a good springboard for any other method and not just CFOP, why do so many choose CFOP? Is it the fact that this almighty cross is the same starting point? I mean it feels that way to me.

It just really feels daunting coming from a layer-by-layer solve mentality and switching to one where I've got two separate slabs and a lot of M-slice manipulation to be done.

A friend of mine does Petrus. We were sitting around waiting to get into Blizzcon once and he was trying to teach it to a third friend. For one step in particular he said that he wasn't able to teach it, it was just something that had to be learnt. That kind of made me disinclined to take it on. I fiddled for the next day or so and got decent at going from a 2x2x2 to a 3x2x2, at which point my mind would lock up and I'd start thinking of naked girls. Or Starcraft.

Mind you I do not remember any of that 2x2x2 to 3x2x2 stuff (this was several years ago) otherwise I'd probably not have as much of a problem trying to wrap my mind around Roux since they kind of share a commonality in that regard. Going from 1x2x2 to 1x2x3 versus going from 2x2x2 to 3x2x2 seem like similar ways of thinking, or at least that's how my ignorant ass perceives things.

OK, getting down to brass tacks, where I feel like I would hit a wall with Roux is when I reach the CMLL step. Learning 42 algorithms seems like a lot of memorization, and if I'm looking at learning that many, does that not seem to negate one of the defining characteristics of Roux, that being a method that doesn't require learning a lot of algorithms? And again, it also just feels really weird to think of having to separate blocks and going from there to solving the corners while only being able to tear up the M-slice and U-layer.

CFOP gets selected because the two fastest cubers in the world use it, and because it is a natural progression from beginner's method, so you are pretty much correct there.

As far as the Roux CMLL algorithms, you start off only needing 9 for 2-look CMLL. A lot of people do very well with just those 9, getting even to sub-20 before learning CMLL. And the 42 1-look CMLL stuff is nothing compared to the amount of algorithms for CFOP when you get to that point. It's really not bad at all.

Block building is a bit weird at first, but you are still in such a development phase that even effectively doing the cross and F2L stuff is going to be a huge brain-wracking adjustment, so no matter what it's going to be awkward at first. I just pushed through it, but it's all personal. If you don't think it's for you, then go for CFOP. I don't want to sell you on something that you aren't going to have fun learning. Isn't that the main reason we do this stuff anyway? I thought the m-slices and U's of Roux looked super slick and thought it was an awesome way to finish a cube, so I went for it.

 

[Tahrbo]

CFOP gets selected because the two fastest cubers in the world use it, and because it is a natural progression from beginner's method, so you are pretty much correct there.

As far as the Roux CMLL algorithms, you start off only needing 9 for 2-look CMLL. A lot of people do very well with just those 9, getting even to sub-20 before learning CMLL. And the 42 1-look CMLL stuff is nothing compared to the amount of algorithms for CFOP when you get to that point. It's really not bad at all.

Block building is a bit weird at first, but you are still in such a development phase that even effectively doing the cross and F2L stuff is going to be a huge brain-wracking adjustment, so no matter what it's going to be awkward at first. I just pushed through it, but it's all personal. If you don't think it's for you, then go for CFOP. I don't want to sell you on something that you aren't going to have fun learning. Isn't that the main reason we do this stuff anyway? I thought the m-slices and U's of Roux looked super slick and thought it was an awesome way to finish a cube, so I went for it.

Heh, you've convinced me, I'll give Roux a shot. Sometimes the best way to sell something is to try not too hard to sell it.

Out of the following cubes, would any of them make for a good starter cube? I bought them all on a whim but if needed I can just get an Aurora which seems highly recommended as a starter.

Dayan Guhong V2
Dayan Zhanchi
Moyu Huanying
Moyu Weilong
YJ Yulong
Maru CX3
Gans III

 

[Eleanor]

I like the Zhanchi because it comes in several sizes (I have small hands) and I just find it good for my solving, it is my main for 3x3 and OH
Guhong V2 is good generally but I find it a bit slower than the Zhanchi
Huanying was free at a comp, it has a very different feeling again but I find it slow too
I had a Weilong for about 5 minutes and then it got mixed up with someone else's
The Aurora was my first good cube and it felt really fast but then I kind of grew out of it quickly

I use CFOP so there might be better cubes for Roux but it's mainly personal preference

 

[DeeDubb]

Heh, you've convinced me, I'll give Roux a shot. Sometimes the best way to sell something is to try not too hard to sell it.

Out of the following cubes, would any of them make for a good starter cube? I bought them all on a whim but if needed I can just get an Aurora which seems highly recommended as a starter.

Dayan Guhong V2
Dayan Zhanchi
Moyu Huanying
Moyu Weilong
YJ Yulong
Maru CX3
Gans III

I'd probably say Zhanchi as a starter. I have a stickerless, and it does a good job. I also have a Weilong and YJ Sulong. The Weilong is blazing fast, probably too fast for me at this point. The YJ Sulong has a really cool feel, and it's super cheap. It actually surprised me with how nice it is, so I'd say a Zhanchi or a Sulong (even though it's not on your list).

Also, if you are interested in getting into Roux, I highly recommend Donovan's as a starter video, then check out Waffo and Alex Lau (who just become the second fastest 3x3er in the world btw).

 

[RageCuber]

whenever someone says don't use CFOP, all I can imagine is a hipster sitting there like "I used ZZ before it was cool"