New (inefficient for some) 4x4 method

[NebraskanSpeedsolver]

So for you guys that use the reduction method and don't want to learn all of Yau, I have devised a method that is quite similar to reduction with some Yau attributes to make the solve a little faster.

Step 1: Build your centers as you would normally
Step 2: Pair the white edges and solve the cross
Step 3: Use the 3-2-3 edge method and make the first 3 pairs
Step 4: Pair the rest of your edges
Step 5: Solve like 3x3

I came up with this while trying to learn Yau, and automatically I am getting the same averages, so I would assume that with practice I can beat my average (of like 1:35+). If you use reduction method like me, try this and see if it helps.

 

[Garf]

So for you guys that use the reduction method and don't want to learn all of Yau, I have devised a method that is quite similar to reduction with some Yau attributes to make the solve a little faster.

Step 1: Build your centers as you would normally
Step 2: Pair the white edges and solve the cross
Step 3: Use the 3-2-3 edge method and make the first 3 pairs
Step 4: Pair the rest of your edges
Step 5: Solve like 3x3

I came up with this while trying to learn Yau, and automatically I am getting the same averages, so I would assume that with practice I can beat my average (of like 1:35+). If you use reduction method like me, try this and see if it helps.

The only difference between this and actual Yau is steps 1-2 are worked together in a different way.
1. Make two opposite centers (very easy)
2. With the freedom of not having the last 4 centers, solve 3 cross edges to make a cross (easy, although lookahead can be tricky)
3. Make the last 4 centers (the constriction of the 3 cross edges can make this tricky, but manipulation on the top and R-Rw turns can help.
4. Solve the last cross edge, and move onto edge pairing.

 

[SpeedCubeLegend17]

So for you guys that use the reduction method and don't want to learn all of Yau, I have devised a method that is quite similar to reduction with some Yau attributes to make the solve a little faster.

Step 1: Build your centers as you would normally
Step 2: Pair the white edges and solve the cross
Step 3: Use the 3-2-3 edge method and make the first 3 pairs
Step 4: Pair the rest of your edges
Step 5: Solve like 3x3

I came up with this while trying to learn Yau, and automatically I am getting the same averages, so I would assume that with practice I can beat my average (of like 1:35+). If you use reduction method like me, try this and see if it helps.

I used to use this method too, but idk if your edge pairing method is the same because I used full 323. I think I got to around 1:15, but I switched to Yau and am now sub-1

 

[NebraskanSpeedsolver]

The only difference between this and actual Yau is steps 1-2 are worked together in a different way.
1. Make two opposite centers (very easy)
2. With the freedom of not having the last 4 centers, solve 3 cross edges to make a cross (easy, although lookahead can be tricky)
3. Make the last 4 centers (the constriction of the 3 cross edges can make this tricky, but manipulation on the top and R-Rw turns can help.
4. Solve the last cross edge, and move onto edge pairing.

That's where some people (like me) struggle.

 

[NebraskanSpeedsolver]

I used to use this method too, but idk if your edge pairing method is the same because I used full 323. I think I got to around 1:15, but I switched to Yau and am now sub-1

Yea for me right now this is my best option with school I don't want to spend a chunk of time learning all of Yau. If I can bring my average down without learning a whole lot, it would be nice.

 

[NebraskanSpeedsolver]

To be fair, when using 3-2-3 first step, and then pairing the rest with reduction, there are few edges left to pair before you can move to 3x3 stage

 

[randomness...]

i do use this and it cut my average from 2:10
all the way down to 1;25
so with practice it can be effective

 

[OldSwiss]

I also used this method between Redux and Yau, and still use it for 6x6 and bigger, even if there is no 3-2-3 edge pairing for bug cubes. But i find it much easier to not search the pieces all around the cube.

With yau I had problems keping the edge pieces intact while I solved the centers but in the meantime I've learned that.
The trick is to hold the 3 pieces with the left hand and never let them go. This way it's almost impossible to destroy them.
In 5x5 it still happens from time to time, maybe one out of 10 solves, but for 4x4 the center building is easier and there is not much need to do it in a way that destroys the cross pieces.

 

[Dylan K]

If you don't want to learn Yau I would personally recommend Hoya for 4x4. It's similar to Redux but you get all your cross pieces like Yau.