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Roux on 4x4x4

I did a handful of solves trying to use Roux, except I did F2B, CLL, centers and then edges. It took me forever to solve the edges :fp

Basically, if the edges didn't get paired up by themselves while doing the centers, I would randomly cycle around the centers while trying to manipulating the edges.

I need to start learning big cube commutators...
 
My method is: blocks, CLL, D center, columns, ELL. There's also Richard Meyer's Rouxduction variant where you solve the first block, then finish centers, then edges all in RrU, then finish with a normal roux solve reduction-style.
 
I'm a bit of a 4x4 n00b so take this with a pinch of salt.

Anyway, I've been playing with this, and it seems like a Roux-style start is quite a sensible way to solve the 4x4, possibly better than using pure reduction. Using Roux for the the finish obviously isn't suitable for speedsolving bigcubes because of the reliance on double M-slice moves. Instead the n00b Roux-Fridrich hybrid can be used for the finish. The steps would be:

(note: M-slice moves here really means stuff like rR' or lL')

Step 1: Solve LH + RH Centres
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Step 2: Solve LH 1x3x4, and RH 1x3x3, and any pair in FR slot (normally a lucky pair)
visualcube.php


Step 3: Finish Centres, using M/U
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Step 4: Pair final 6 dedges, using M/U and FR slot where necessary.
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Step 5: Finish F3L (solve the FR slot and place DF/DB)
visualcube.php


Step 6: OLL/PLL
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... milking the VC ;)

Using this approach seems to have some pretty nice ergonomics and lookahead advantages because:

* There are no rotations.

* All dedges are paired in the M-slice, using M/U moves.

* Last four centres are solved in the M-slice, using M/U moves.

* The maximum possible number of dedges are solved at the beginning (before centres), when full freedom is available to pair them - good for efficiency and lookahead.

* Leaving the FR slot free gives an easily visible location for finding pairs, and allows enough freedom for easy edge pairing. The only hidden dedge locations are in the M-slice - good for lookahead.

Does anyone else use this kind of approach to solve 4x4, and/or what do you think about it?
 
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Richard Meyer uses something like that, minus the pre-built 1x3x3 on the right hand side. He does the first block and centers like K4, then finishes reduction with rRU and ends with roux.
 
@irontwig, 4x4 ELL sounds like an interesting approach but I don't think I have the time/enthusiasm for 4x4 to learn 4x4 ELL algs - even if I did learn them I would probably end up forgetting them (as I have with some ZBLL's :o).

@blade, a Roux finish is probably more move-efficient, can it be viable ergonomically. These double slice turns do put me off a little.

I had a look at the move counts involved in the method proposed above, and unfortunately it looks about 15 moves worse than Redux (pairing 6x edges at a time). I think the main reason for this is the edge pairing ... using Redux is really efficient in this phase because all edges can be paired with a few setup moves and ~6 centre slice turns. The main problem with Redux in my opinion is the lookahead. During the early stages a lot of time is spent rotating the cube around and searching for edge pieces all around the cube. I guess being more systematic with placement of completed edges could probably relieve this a bit though. The main question in my mind is whether better lookahead is worth 15 moves ...

... I tested the move counts of both redux and the method above myself .. up to F3L, I was getting ~95 with Redux and ~110 with the method above. Thread is also helpful as a point of reference for 4x4 move counts:
http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3177
 
@irontwig, 4x4 ELL sounds like an interesting approach but I don't think I have the time/enthusiasm for 4x4 to learn 4x4 ELL algs - even if I did learn them I would probably end up forgetting them (as I have with some ZBLL's :o).
4x4 ell isnt that hard once you get used to it, and most of it can be dont fast with comms
 
Rouxduction(meyer) edge pairing method help.

Hi, i average 2minutes using the Rouxduction method, i am fast in the centers and 1st block and 3x3x3 but i'm really slow on the edge pairing stage because i don't have any method for that or anything i just solve the edges 1 by 1. Anyone can post a video or a written tutorial or anything that can help me for the Rouxduction edge pairing? thanks in advance.

PS: i use Rw's to pair edges.

my breakdowns are:

1st 2 centers: 6 seconds
1st block: 18 sec
last 4 centers: 8 seconds
edge pairing: 1min 06 seconds
3x3x3: 21 seconds

Total: 1min 59sec.
 
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