SSC

SSC (Shadowslice Snow Columns) method Information about the method Proposer(s): Joseph Briggs (shadowslice e) Proposed: 2015 Alt Names: ECE (proposed by Crafto22 alternatively later) Variants: SSC-M, SSC-Domino, SSC-WV, various ECE- notably EZD No. Steps: 5 major though lots of flexibility. Depends on variant No. Algs: 28, 10 min Avg Moves: ~45 STM Purpose(s): Speedsolving, FMC

SSC or Shadowslice Snow Columns is a method that has variously been described as a variation on Orient First, an improved version of the Human Thistlethwaite Algorithm, an advanced Belt Method and a Columns first method. It is a method that requires few (28) algorithms but requires proficiency in various relatively advanced techniques such as the EOLine (which is rotated 90 degrees to create an EOEdge) as well as being able to efficiently orient corners while placing an edge. It is an efficient method which averages below 50 STM in the hands of an expert.

Intially, it was proposed simply with the SSC-WV variant though this quickly became the set of methods which is known today. After the SSC-M variant was introduced, the idea was quickly expanded on by Crafto22 who created what is collectively known as the ECE variants which, while following the same basic steps as vanilla SSC-M have variaous advantages depending on the method. Notable variants include SSC-O and EZD for speed and SSC-Domino as an FMC alternative.

Basic Overview

1. Orient edges and place the LF and LB edges (like an EOLine rotated 90 degrees)
2. Orient 3 corners on the D-layer while placing the RB edge (can be RF but SLS (Shadowslice Last Slot) and WV are for the RF slot- do not place both though).
3. Place the last E-slice piece in the dictated place in the U-layer (initially creating a pseudopair for Winter Variation but later a specific place for SLS (Shadowslice Last Slot))
4. Permute all corners
5. LEE (Last Eight Edges)

Pros

• Low movecount
• Low alg count
• Ergonomic

Cons

• Could have difficult lookahead though not too bad.
• Needs proficiency with relatively advanced techniques.

Alternative steps

• SSC-Domino:Use Domino techniques for the last 2 steps-better for FMC
• SSC-WV (SSC-Winter Variation): the original form of the method. It uses Winter Variation as opposed to SLS (Shadowslice Last Slot)
• SSC-M or ECE:Do not do EO until the last step with LEE- higher movecount though easier lookahead.
• ECE-Broken: The two layers are solved separately rather than doing both together as with other methods
• ECE-EZD or simply EZD: the edges are separated in the last step and solve using an algorithm rather than intuitively.
• ECE-A: The last eight edges are solved by orienting the U layer edges while placing the D layer edges followed by EPLL

Note: in his variants (ie the ECE styles), Crafto22 uses WV as opposes to SLS in a manner consistent with SSC-WV

See Also

• Original proposal(includes SSC-M and SLS)
• Crafto22's ECE proposal