Tripod Method

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Tripod method
Tripod method.gif
Information about the method
Proposer(s): Ryan Heise, Michael Gottlieb, Mirek Goljan
Proposed: 2002
Alt Names: none
Variants: Petrus, ZZ-Tripod
No. Steps: 4
No. Algs: 58
Avg Moves: ~50
Purpose(s): Speedsolving


A blockbuilding approach to solving the 3x3x3, first proposed by Ryan Heise and developed by Michael Gottlieb and Mirek Goljan. The method is characterized by the final steps, which involve solving a 'tripod' composed of the three 1x1x2 columns connected to the URF corner piece.

The Steps

1. Build a 2x2x2 block. This is an intuitive step.

2.Build 3 1x2x2 block side by side the 2x2x2 block. This is also an intuitive step.

3. Insert the last F2L slot.

4. Finish the last layer using one of 58 algorithms.

Variants

  • ZZ-Tripod: ZZ-Tripod, invented by Neuro in 2017, is an attempt at combining ZZ with Tripod, resulting in a normal ZZ solve up to F2L-1 when a 1x2x2 block is built on the top face. This is followed by NLS to insert the last F2L pair while preserving edge orientation. After that, the last layer is solved using TELL, which is a subset of both Tripod LL and ZBLL with very few algorithms.

Pros

  • Like many other blockbuilding methods, this method uses less moves than the ever popular CFOP method.
  • The steps are all fairly simple and easy to execute, allowing for good lookahead.
  • The method has a low algorithm count compared to most mainstream methods such as CFOP or ZZ.

Cons

  • The blocks, particularly the U layer block, are quite restrictive to the construction of the final F2L slot.
  • Recognition for the final step is not excellent and could be compared to that of COLL.
  • Beginners may find blockbuilding to be difficult.

Example solve

Scramble (white on top, green in front): L' F2 R U B R2 D' F2 L' B U' R2 F2 B2 U L2 U' R2 L2

x2 R U' D R' D' - 2x2x2

y' L' F U' F2 L F' - First 2x2x1 block

L2 D L' U2 L D' - Second 2x2x1 block

U F R U' R' F' L' U' L U2 - Final 2x2x1 block

U' R F' U' F' U F R' F2 U' F2 U2 - F2L slot

L' U R U' R' U R U' R' L R U R' U' R U R' U' - Last 5 pieces

External links