VLS
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VLS, short for Valk Last Slot, is a subset of OLS. The VLS substep solves the last F2L pair, if the edge and corner are already paired in the last layer, and also skips OLL which is the third step used in the widely popular CFOP method. VLS can be used in speedsolving or FMC to decrease move count.
Learning Approach
There are 8 subsets under VLS. They are named after which edges are misoriented if the F2L pair is on the right and is facing towards the solver. Note that there are mirrored cases which still fall under their unmirrored subsets. These subsets include WV, UF, UL, UB, UFUL, ULUB, UFUB, and all edges. Each of these subsets include 54 algorithms, if mirrors are counted as separate cases. It is usually recommended to first learn WV and then the rest of VLS in whatever order you choose. Learn the placement of the stickers meant to be on the top face, like they are in OLL.
Pros
- Move count is decreased compared to normally doing the last F2L pair, then OLL.
- It requires less look ahead, if implemented into solves, compared to doing the last F2L pair and OLL.
- You'll instantly gain cool kid points and be able to impress your cubing friends
Cons
- There are a total of 432 algorithms, including mirrors.
- Because of the first point, this means that if the solver were to learn full VLS, it would likely take at least a year if 1 algorithm was learned per day.
