Tripod Method
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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 its unique endgame state, which involves building a 2x2x1 block on the Last Layer to isolate the remaining unsolved pieces into a 5-piece "tripod" structure.
The Steps
The Tripod method transitions smoothly from highly free-form intuitive blockbuilding into a highly specialized, low-movecount algorithmic endgame. The standard execution consists of the following phases:
Step 1: 2x2x2 Block
The solver intuitively constructs a 2x2x2 block in any corner of the cube. This step is identical to the beginning of the Petrus method. Because Tripod can be executed with full color neutrality, solvers typically take advantage of the 15-second inspection time to plan the most efficient block possible.
- Average Move Count: 6–8 moves.
Step 2: Block Expansion (F2L-1)
The initial 2x2x2 block is systematically expanded by attaching three separate 1x2x2 blocks adjacent to it. This process builds up the structure of the first two layers intuitively. Unlike CFOP, which relies strictly on rigid slotting, this phase allows for highly creative, multi-dimensional extensions across multiple faces.
- Average Move Count: ~15–18 moves.
Step 3: Last F2L Slot & LL Block Formation
Instead of completing the traditional First Two Layers (F2L) directly, the solver manipulates the remaining pieces to build a 2x2x1 block directly onto the Last Layer. By doing this, the final F2L slot is completed while simultaneously solving a portion of the Last Layer (1 corner and 2 edges), restricting the final unsolved state to just 5 pieces.
- Average Move Count: ~8–10 moves.
Step 4: Tripod Last Layer (TLL)
The final phase addresses the remaining 5 unsolved pieces of the cube (3 corners and 2 edges). Using a single algorithm from a pool of 58 cases (or 51 if edges are consistently pre-oriented), the solver completely permutes and orients the remaining elements to finish the entire cube.
- Average Move Count: ~12 moves.
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.
Recognition and TLL Strategy
The endgame of Tripod relies entirely on identifying the state of the 5 remaining pieces (3 corners and 2 edges) relative to the already completed 2x2x1 block on the top layer.
Solvers often divide the 58 cases into subsets based on:
- Edge Orientation (EO): Determining whether the remaining 2 edges are oriented or misoriented. If edges are actively oriented during Step 3, the total algorithm count drops from 58 down to 51 cases.
- Corner Permutation: Tracking the relationship between the 3 unsolved corners to determine the correct permutation variant.
Advanced practitioners may initially solve TLL in two looks (solving Edges first using commutators, followed by Corners) as a transitional phase before memorizing the full 1-look algorithmic database.
Pros & Cons
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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
