Let's get serious about mirror blocks

[LBr]

Ok so GAN have released the first half-decent mirror blocks on the market, reviving the question about whether to add this puzzle to the WCA event list. I want this thread to be a place to discuss the puzzle, whether it be hardware, its potential status as an official event, as well as how much everyone practices and cares about the unofficial event. Personally, although I can solve the puzzle, I don't think it should be an event as in my opinion it is basically a 3x3 and would be uninspired. However, if for one reason or another, the WCA did decide to add this, I would probably buy a better cube and start practicing, but until that happens, i will probably just wait and see how this is going to go.

 

[Kdogs]

I just ordered the gan mirror blocks cube, I have never even held one in my hand soooo this should be interesting lol

 

[OreKehStrah]

So I wasn’t really interested in mirror blocks at all for a long time. I owned one just to have one but that was about it.

I picked up the Gan because I thought it was a strange release from them and had been bored with WCA events recently so I decided I would start speedsolving it for fun.

I am actually quite shocked at how enjoyable it is. Even though it is just “normal 3x3” it feels quite refreshing due to the novelty of it. I think the recognition factor and the adjustments to alg choice and fingertricks is actually pretty neat and interesting. I’ve also played around with doing CFOP, CFCE, Roux, ZZ, and Petrus and it’s pretty neat to see how each method feels on a mirror cube.

After watching videos of people getting sub10 solves and then trying speedsolving myself, it really puts into perspective how impressive it is. If mirror blocks got added I wouldn’t really have any complaints personally. Although I would prefer to see something more novel such as FTO or curvy copter added instead.

Also for anyone interested, I recently co-created a Non-WCA event speedsolving discord server so if you’re interested in mirror cube for speed or casually, feel free to join via the link in my signature!

 

[cuberswoop]

It's the exact same as 3x3. No.

That's like adding circular megaminx as a wca event.

 

[OreKehStrah]

It's the exact same as 3x3. No.

That's like adding circular megaminx as a wca event.

The thing is that it's not the exact same as 3x3. What separates OH from normal 2H solving? The puzzle is the exact same, recognition is the same, methods are the same, etc. It's just that it's a different, novel experience. Mirror blocks would be the same thing. Recognition, fingertricks, etc would be what would be novel about it.

It's certainly not nearly as strong as a candidate as something like FTO or CC but I think it is a little naive to slap the label of it being the exact same as 3x3 and calling it a day without really trying it for a bit. It's surprisingly fun.

Edit: also if it's the exact same thing as a 3x3, go ahead and record an avg of mirror blocks and get the same times as your normal 3x3 solves xp

 

[cuberswoop]

The thing is that it's not the exact same as 3x3. What separates OH from normal 2H solving? The puzzle is the exact same, recognition is the same, methods are the same, etc. It's just that it's a different, novel experience. Mirror blocks would be the same thing. Recognition, fingertricks, etc would be what would be novel about it.

It's certainly not nearly as strong as a candidate as something like FTO or CC but I think it is a little naive to slap the label of it being the exact same as 3x3 and calling it a day without really trying it for a bit. It's surprisingly fun.

Edit: also if it's the exact same thing as a 3x3, go ahead and record an avg of mirror blocks and get the same times as your normal 3x3 solves xp

It's fun but not fun enough to be a wca event.

 

[Stock_Fish109]

It's fun but not fun enough to be a wca event.

Agreed

 

[qwr]

So I wasn’t really interested in mirror blocks at all for a long time. I owned one just to have one but that was about it.

I picked up the Gan because I thought it was a strange release from them and had been bored with WCA events recently so I decided I would start speedsolving it for fun.

I am actually quite shocked at how enjoyable it is. Even though it is just “normal 3x3” it feels quite refreshing due to the novelty of it. I think the recognition factor and the adjustments to alg choice and fingertricks is actually pretty neat and interesting. I’ve also played around with doing CFOP, CFCE, Roux, ZZ, and Petrus and it’s pretty neat to see how each method feels on a mirror cube.

After watching videos of people getting sub10 solves and then trying speedsolving myself, it really puts into perspective how impressive it is. If mirror blocks got added I wouldn’t really have any complaints personally. Although I would prefer to see something more novel such as FTO or curvy copter added instead.

Also for anyone interested, I recently co-created a Non-WCA event speedsolving discord server so if you’re interested in mirror cube for speed or casually, feel free to join via the link in my signature!

You know GAN has done a good job when they can revitalize an entire non-WCA puzzle back into interest

 

[OreKehStrah]

You know GAN has done a good job when they can revitalize an entire non-WCA puzzle back into interest

It's amazing what a difference good hardware makes.

 

[Kit Clement]

The quality of hardware should not be a criteria for adding an event. Remember how MoYu pushed Redi Cube competitions and there was a huge craze in solving that puzzle? That dramatically got much quieter a year after its release, and that was with MoYu pushing a ton of money into competition prizes for Redi Cube competitions. I'd imagine mirror blocks will likely follow a similar fate as time goes on, and mirror blocks already has tons of logistical problems to becoming an official event that I doubt will ever be overcome.