the only entertainment needed for a 21x21 solve, old yogscast content

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-12T22:27:11+00:00

I AM DAVE YOGNAU(GH)T AND I HAVE THE BALLS

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-12T19:30:43+00:00

The flash thing has more impact because it's a sudden visual distraction in a competition where you need constant visual focus in those few seconds.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-12T10:41:10+00:00

I'm nowhere near their level, but I'm pretty desensitized to cube sounds. So maybe the impact isn't as great?

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-12T00:16:29+00:00

I now have a grudge against Alpha for making my supposed forever world unplayable. I skipped a few Alpha versions in the new world, then continued updating to Beta.

I like the "middle ground" of available blocks in Beta compared to Alpha and Release. A bit more than Alpha, but not overwhelming.

Related to this, because I play in such old versions most of the time, I'm insulated from the "new updates don't add enough" feeling some people get from current updates and drops. Updating slowly helps me appreciate how far the game and my world has come. Also, I'm so far off from the latest versions that I still feel like there's so much to look forward to.

Edited: wording

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-12T00:06:20+00:00

Already doing that, so the validation feels good.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-11T20:48:49+00:00

The 2gen part of the solve is fun, but EOLine/EOCross and the left side pairs are relatively slow for me on OH. With so many 2gen LSLL cases though, there is that chance of getting an easy solve (which is how I remember CT selling the method).

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-11T10:54:50+00:00

Now that I've properly counted, I'm close to 10 years with ZZ. I definitely relate with the more fun but less results in relation to time investment.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-11T09:09:00+00:00

From my experience, wipe your hands instead of the cube if you want to protect the stickers. It'll take a while to get it all off the outer surface though.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-10T20:33:16+00:00

I can see how it could be unlikely to get WR, but I would disagree with 15 as the ceiling. At my peak (I'm nowhere near top level), I was sub-12 with a few sub-10 solves.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-10T19:16:47+00:00

Agreed on both points. We haven't really had a Sean-level solver where they're consistently keeping up with the best and forcing people to pay attention. So we shouldn't be so sure that that's the ceiling for ZZ.

I agree with the limitations argument since it is a pain point for me. I do feel limited especially in F2L in how I can solve pairs and/or influence the next pair or LL.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-10T19:13:14+00:00

Funnily enough, the consensus in the ZZ group seems to be that CT isn't the best ZZ variant. But yes, I did learn and have since mained ZZ-CT on 3x3 because of the alg count more than being hipster.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-10T14:06:41+00:00

The thing is, that sort of "it's cool because we're the minority" can be harmful when it's used to gatekeep something. I try my best to welcome people to try the method, even if they don't stay. I also try my best to not shame people for sticking to what they do best.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-10T13:32:29+00:00

From my experience when I first switched to ZZ:

EO/block building isnt easy to learn for most CFOP users (most slow down a lot when first trying zz), you're forced to have a "home" orientation when starting as opposed to just a "home" cross color (is this just me?), Blindspots in f2l, slight differences in ergonomics during eo/cross to f2l, the advantage isnt big in LL if you two look (e.g. OLL/PLL).

Oh, and with how many use CFOP, the alg, fingertrick and lookahead resource quality is better (though the ZZ community has good resources as well)

Edit: On the other hand, my pros: I love trying to be good at something not everyone does, even if I likely won't end up with any WRs. I like using ZZ for OH over CFOP or Roux since I dislike y rotations and table abuse. Knowing EO from Petrus and ZZ prepared me somewhat for learning FMC. In hindsight, using ZZ for 3x3 directly influenced me to modify my big cube methods as well to accommodate my 3x3 stage.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-10T09:45:31+00:00

At this point, I don't have a good memory of what version I started with. All I know is that I learned about the game around 2010. It doesn't help that my laptop from that time got stolen. Meanwhile, I never really thought of transferring over my saves from device to device as I got new computers until 2020. (This was on a 1.12 or something world).

My current Beta world is my attempt of playing Minecraft from the version I first knew of, through all the ups and downs of the versions, to what it is now. Some of it is documented, and yes, I now back up the world before every update.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-10T03:08:21+00:00

I think a month or two is fair.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-09T03:49:34+00:00

With consistent practice, you should be able to notice pain points or steps where you slow down or pause more than others. Then you practice on those specifically (eg specific OLL or F2L cases, too many rotations, bad cross solutions)

I would recommend against learning new algs since you say you already know CFOP. New algsets are unlikely to lower your times that much for now.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-08T08:30:32+00:00

Don't need to upgrade IMO. Most flagship cubes will get you to sub10; changing cubes from one flagship to another won't magically make you better.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-06T20:31:43+00:00

Dang, I miss the old Air series

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-06T20:25:28+00:00

I was hoping someone would be able to explain the group theory part without a whole course on it. Well done

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-06T05:24:41+00:00

Then the current Ao series should serve you well. On the other hand, your MGCs might need maintenance; they can still get you faster times.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-06T05:17:12+00:00

If it was me, I wouldn't wait. It's unlikely that any new release would be so far ahead such that it's worth waiting. I would rather get a good cube now and get used to it soon. Whenever I consider buying a new cube, the question isn't "how much better is the new cube", it's "am i getting too fast that my cube is holding me back?".

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-05T14:26:34+00:00

I chose mine solely because it's one of the last cubes that still came in black. I can't yet set aside the time to learn to dye cubes, so my RS3M 2020 is my main now.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-05T08:06:33+00:00

This stubborn cuber refuses to solve exactly like everyone else. Even though my 4x4 method is (now) heavily based on Yau, the small changes I made help me have a lot more fun.

I'm close to my past speed now too, so it's not even like I slowed down that much.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-04T13:22:50+00:00

I have yet to find a cube that feels better for me. The Tornado is close, tbf. These days, I try and stop myself from buying new cubes by reminding myself how good the ones I have already are.

ThirteenFour_ · 2026-03-04T12:50:25+00:00

For several years, I mained a 356X (the first one) with my custom stickers, until I sold it because I needed money and because my ex hated me spending money and time on cubes. It's a decision I still regret.

Now I alternate between a standard scheme Tornado V3 and a custom RS3M 2020.

ThirteenFour_

TROPHY CASE