SSC

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SSC (Shadowslice Snow Columns) method
Ssc-v2-60fps-loop.gif
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: <60, 10 min
Avg Moves: 37-50 depending on variant STM
Purpose(s):

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 various advantages depending on the method. Notable variants include SSC-O and EZD for speedsolving 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 {E,R,U,D}

Cons

  • Could have difficult lookahead though not too bad due to pseudopairs and pseudoblocks.
  • Needs proficiency with relatively advanced techniques.

Variants

  • SSC-Domino
    • Use Domino techniques for the last 2 steps-better for FMC
  • SSC-WV or SSC-Winter Variation
  • 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

Experimental Corner Orientation

A newer recent development created by SqAree in collaboration with Shadowslice e. It is an alternative way of orienting the corners after the EoEdge, is much more efficient than any other style and can lead to the first two steps being done in under 20 moves in almost all cases; often in much less; it averages around 15-17 moves in a speedsolve and even less in an FMC setting. The brief style is:

  1. separate FR and BR
  2. Form a 1x1x3 "triplet" with one of the edges
  3. Form a 1x1x2 "pair" with the other one
  4. OL5C
  5. Finish.

A more in depth version:(assuming green on front, white on top)

  1. Separate the front right (green/red) and back right (blue/red) edges (ie place either the front right (green/red) edge in the U layer and the back right (blue/red) in the D layer or vice versa)
  2. Create a "triplet" (a 1x1x3 or column) using the edge in the D-layer (technically a pseudo triplet) of pieces so that if the edge in in the Down Left position, there would be a white or yellow sticker in the front down left position and a yellow or white sticker in the back down left position. Place this in the down left slot.
  3. Create another similar pseudopair (not triplet: this one is a 1x1x2) using the remaining e-slice edge in the U-layer. Place this in the front up slot with the yellowor white sticker on the corner facing to the left (ie being in the left-up-front position).
  4. Look at the right side to determine the O5C (orient 5 corners) case and execute the algorithm.
  5. Bring the unsolved e-slice edges to UR and DR using only U and D moves then do an R or R' to solve them.

Potential Improvements

As a relatively new group of methods, SSC will undoubtedly continue to evolve and change. Some of the more prominent ideas for improving the method and techniques which could be used to improve the efficiency include:

  • Adding an algorithm set for the permuting of corners which for when the FR and BR edges are swapped (this could lead to a more efficient EoEdge+1).
  • An entirely new last phase (ie when the cube has been reduce to act likes domino) which could be more efficient and or have better lookahead. Hopefully both.
  • Predicted separation- paricularly useful for EZD.

See Also

External links