The Master Pyraminx is a well-known adaptation of the immensely popular Pyraminx. First conceived in 2002, the Master Pyraminx was, until recently, a collector’s item, as the original designer only created a handful of them in 2006. However, as of 2016, there is now a mass-produced edition by ShengShou. This puzzle is often referred to as the 4x4 Pyraminx, as its increase in size is similar to that of the 4x4 in comparison to the 3x3 Rubik’s Cubes.
Overview
A lot of the solution for the Master Pyraminx is based on concepts learnt from solving the original Pyraminx. The Pyraminx is really easy to solve, so it is imperative that you know how to do so before you start with this tutorial.
This tutorial will also require basic knowledge of how certain moves affect different pieces on the puzzle, which can be acquired by playing around with a Pyraminx and seeing what you can do.
The steps required to solve the Master Pyraminx are as follows:
- Solve the 3 edge centres on each side.
- Adjust the top layers and the tips.
- Solve the actual centres.
- Solve the top three edges.
- Solve the bottom six edges.
- Solve the last middle three edges.
The notation for the Master Pyraminx will be done in a similar way to the notation for a regular Pyraminx, except with an extra layer. Knowledge of standard Rubik’s Cube and/or Pyraminx notation is required:
- U, L, R, B – These moves reference the top sections of the puzzle (indicated on the image in green).
- Uw, Lw, Rw, Bw – These moves reference the top two layers of the puzzle (excluding tips) (indicated on the image in blue)
- u, l, r, b – These moves reference the tips of the puzzle (indicated on the image in purple)
Tutorial - How to solve the Master Pyraminx
The first step involves solving the 3 edge centres on each side. This refers to the three pieces highlighted by the image. This can be done in the same way as solving the edges on a standard Pyraminx (in the first step of the Pyraminx solution), however instead of where you would do U, L, R and B moves on the standard Pyraminx, you do Uw, Lw, Rw and Bw moves. You should be able to do this without any help, considering that you already know how to solve centres in this way on a smaller puzzle.
Once you have the first three centres solved, you can complete the rest of the centres for the puzzle. This is, once again, an intuitive stage. Think of this like solving the tips on a regular Pyraminx. The tip is either solved or requires a U or U’ move to solve. Just do the same here so the yellow highlighted pieces match in colour with the pieces you solved earlier.
Finally, you can adjust the tips. This can be done in the exact same way as the above step (i.e. the same as the tips on a regular Pyraminx), but using u, l, r and b moves this time. The tips are highlighted in purple.
The last step of the overall centres section involves solving the actual centres on the puzzle (i.e. the piece in the exact centre of each face). This piece is highlighted in white on the adjacent image. There are three different cases for the centre pieces:
- All 4 solved
- All 4 unsolved
- 1 solved, 3 unsolved
If you have all 4 centres solved, then you can skip this stage but remember it for later if you try to solve it again and come across a case that requires an algorithm.
If you have all 4 centres unsolved, then the algorithm to solve them is very simple. The centres will be swapped in pairs, for example the yellow and blue centres will be on the blue and yellow sides etc. Simply place one of these centres on the front face and the other on the bottom face (this will place the two other unsolved centres on the back faces) and perform this algorithm: (Rw’ Lw Rw Lw’). Do this algorithm three times to solve the centres.
If you have only 1 centre solved, then hold this centre on the left of the puzzle. Then perform this algorithm: (Rw Uw Rw’ Uw). Do this algorithm twice. If the centres are still not solved, do it another two times.
Now this section is done, the pieces highlighted in the adjacent image should be solved on your puzzle. This entire section is the equivalent of solving the three centres on each side and the tips on a regular Pyraminx.
The remaining edges are solved in three parts:
- Top three edges
- Bottom six edges
- Middle layer edges (white)
The image shows the edges referred to above (text colour = edges).
The majority of the edge solving section is intuitive. It should be solvable using what you know about Pyraminx edge movement, but here is a short overview for each section that explains how you should go about it:
The concept of pieces and slots
When solving the edges of the bottom layer of a standard Pyraminx, you most likely use a method that involves inserting pieces into their slots. The solved centres determine the slots and the stickers on the pieces determine the pieces. Moves are made that specifically preserve what is already made. For example, if you wanted to get Piece A into Slot B, you would have to do a specific set of moves. The simplest way would be by doing U’ R’. This would place the edge, but it would misplace Centre C. To avoid misplacing the centre, you need to insert the edge into the slot between the two pieces, not just in the position. This can be done by doing R U’ R’. The R move at the start brings the slot to the same layer as the piece, which allows for the piece to replace the one in the slot.
This is what is meant when the concept of moving the slot to insert the piece.
Likewise, on the Master Pyraminx, the slots in the top of the puzzle have to be moved to insert the pieces. You can insert the pieces by doing wide moves to place them in the top layer. If the piece you’ve placed in the top layer is flipped, then it is not the right piece. It is important to remember that there are two edges instead of one (just like the 4x4 in comparison to the 3x3), so these need to be differentiated between.
You can perform a wide move to insert the first edge piece in its correct slot (the centres pieces on the top layer determine the correct slot), then do a U or U’ to move the slot out of the way, then invert the wide move to restore the centres. This will leave you with one solved edge on the top layer (one edge between two centres that match the edge stickers) and every centre back in its original place. The same thing can be done for the second edge, but for the third edge you need to utilise the concept of moving the slot to insert the piece. It’s not possible to simply move the piece into the top layer, because there are no empty slots in the top layer to replace it with. Therefore what you can do instead is do the same wide move but in the opposite direction to bring the slot down to the piece, insert the piece into the slot, and move the slot back to its original position.
Note: It doesn’t matter how many setup moves you do in order to get the correct edge into position to be moved up as long as you undo all of the moves in order afterwards.
The same concept is applied with the bottom layer edges. Simply rotate the puzzle so that your bottom face is now the front face (this should move the solved top layer to the back of the puzzle, out of the way). This will give you a new top layer. You only have to solve the two edges facing toward you at this point (i.e. the edges that are on the bottom of the puzzle when it is upright). After these are solved using the same style of solving as for the original top layer, rotate the puzzle so that you still have the same face pointed towards you but so that you have two more unsolved edges on the new top layer. The rotation is shown in the images below. Do this once more and you’ll have all 6 bottom layer edges solved, so you can rotate the puzzle back (put the bottom face back on the bottom of the puzzle).
Finally, all that remains unsolved are the middle three edges. There are only three cases for this, and only one algorithm required. There are two ways in which the edges can be cycled, or the edges can be solved. If they are solved, then you’re already done. However, if they need to be shifted, then do the following algorithm from any orientation with the three edges to be solved in the middle layer: (R U R’ U). Do this algorithm twice. If the puzzle is not solved, then do it two more times. Your puzzle will now be solved.
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FAQs
The QiYi Master Pyraminx Cube is a higher-order, 4x4 version of the Pyraminx. This extra layer adds to the complexity of the solve. The puzzle comes stickered in standard QiYi bright shades.
What is the world record for master Pyraminx? ›
The world record fastest Pyraminx solve is 0.75 seconds, set by Elijah Brown of United States on 21 January 2023 at Berkeley Winter A 2023.
Is solving a 4x4 cube hard? ›
Solving the 4x4 Rubik's Cube is not too much harder than solving a 3x3. The concepts of the steps are as follows: Solve the center pieces. Pair similar edge pieces.
What is the price of 4x4 Pyraminx? ›
₹1,614.00 Fulfilled FREE Delivery.
Which is easier Pyraminx or 2x2? ›
Pyraminx puzzles are generally pretty easy, and the 2x2 pyraminx is even easier. If you're looking for a puzzle to give to someone that is into pyraminx or likes to figure out puzzles without any help.
Which Pyraminx is the best? ›
4 Best Pyraminx (Triangle) Speed Cubes You Must Try
- QiYi MS Pyraminx.
- GAN Pyraminx.
- QiYi Bell Pyraminx v2.
- Meilong Pyraminx Magnetic.
- Wrapping it up!
The fastest time to solve a Square-1 cube is 3.87 seconds, and was achieved by Michał Krasowski (Poland) at the Olsztyn Squared 2023 event in Olsztyn, Poland, on 11 February 2023.
Is the Pyraminx the easiest? ›
Solving a Pyraminx is much easier than a Rubik's Cube. It has 3,732,480 possible permutations which is relatively a small number (similar to the 2x2x2 Pocket Cube), so a personal computer can easily go through all of the possible scrambles. It can be solved from any random position in less than 12 moves.
Is Pyraminx easier than 3x3? ›
Solving a Pyraminx or triangle cube is much easier than solving a Rubik's cube. You just need to understand the notations and the edges to solve it.
What are the last 3 edges in Pyraminx? ›
The last layer edges are the three ones surrounded by the three tips R, L and U (the F face), that makes the edges RF, DF and LF. There are 6 cases in this group, of these one is solved. The occurance is 1:12 (1 skip in 12 solves) so some of the cases are more than once.
However, it is estimated that God's Number for the 4x4x4 cube is between 30 and 33.
Which is easier 3x3 or 4x4? ›
Definitely, 4x4 is harder than 3x3. Well 3x3 just involves layers, or as you go deep into it, CFOP. On the other hand, 4x4 revolves around solving the centres and pairing up the edges, and then getting into the 3x3 stage.
What is the fastest method to solve a 4x4? ›
4x4 Yau is arguably the fastest and efficient method to solve a 4x4. The Yau method was proposed in 2009 by Robert Yau, and since then has been used by most of the top speedcubers worldwide.
Which 4x4 parity algorithms are easiest? ›
OLL Parity Algorithm 1:
This algorithm is the easiest to execute. It flips the two edge pieces as well as the corners. It also moves other edge pieces in the top layer. If your focus is speedsolving the 4x4 then this is the recommended algorithm.
What is a 4x4 cube called? ›
The Rubik's Revenge (also known as the 4×4×4 Rubik's Cube) is a 4×4×4 version of the Rubik's Cube. It was released in 1981. Invented by Péter Sebestény, the cube was nearly called the Sebestény Cube until a somewhat last-minute decision changed the puzzle's name to attract fans of the original Rubik's Cube.
Who made the 4x4 cube? ›
The 4x4x4 Cube (also known as Rubik's Revenge, and normally referred to as the 4x4x4 or 4x4) is a twisty puzzle in the shape of a cube that is cut three times along each of three axes. The 4x4x4 Cube was invented by Péter Sebestény in 1981 and sold under the name "Rubik's Revenge".
What is the cost of 1 Rubik's Cube? ›
₹489.00 FREE Delivery on first order.
Is 4x4 harder than 5x5? ›
5x5x5 is easier, because it has defined centers so that you won't mess that up, and you don't get those parity cases. 4x4x4 center-making and edge building should be easier though. So I'd just say go with 4x4x4, because it really is the 'next level up.
Is a Skewb hard? ›
Skewb is, algorithmically speaking, quite easily solvable. There are many tutorials and articles available on the internet that mention the use of many different algorithms.
Is there a 2x2 Pyraminx? ›
The Two Layer Pyraminx, also known as a 2x2 Pyraminx, is a puzzle similar to the original Pyraminx except it has one less layer than its three layer counterpart. The only turning parts on this puzzle are the 4 corners.
Which cube is harder than 3x3? Mastermorphix. The standard Mastermorphix puzzle is extremely difficult and definitely earns it's place at #3 on our list of most difficult twisty puzzles. It's a shape modification of a standard 3×3 Rubik's Cube but is much more challenging.
Is Pyraminx better than Skewb? ›
DGCubes said: I'd say Pyraminx if you like an intuitive solve, and Skewb if you like a more algorithmic one. They're pretty similar though, and are both pretty simple to solve.
Is there a 100x100 Rubik's cube? ›
Amazon.com: Rubiks Cubes 100x100.
Is Mastermorphix hard to solve? ›
The standard Mastermorphix puzzle is very hard, which is why it is on our list of the hardest twisty puzzles. It is a 33 Rubik's Cube with a different shape that is much harder to solve. The centers need to be in the right place, but edge pieces can be put in the wrong place and still look like they belong.
Is a square 1 hard? ›
One of the most frequently asked questions by beginners about this event is "Is it difficult to solve a square-1? ". In short, no! One of the prerequisites for solving a square -1 is knowing how to solve a 3x3 speedcube and to have a general understanding of notations and moves.
Is 4x4 harder than Megaminx? ›
4x4. Mostly because megaminx's oddly looking dodecahedron shape, and it takes more time than doing 4x4. Megaminx is really similar to 3x3, but 4x4 requires reducting the entire puzzle to a 3x3.
What cube should I get next? ›
Well, of course there are no rules on what you can and can't buy next, but when browsing puzzles it may be useful to consider the level of difficulty and similarity compared to other puzzles you may already have. For those beginning their speed-solving journey, the 3x3 or original Rubik's cube is highly recommended.
What cube should I buy? ›
Best Cubes To Buy
Among flagship cubes, my favorites are the MoYu WRM 2021 (my current main), Qiyi Valk 3M, and Qiyi Valk Elite. The YJ MGC is a good mid-range option you can consider buying.
Is the 2x2 harder than the 3x3? ›
It is considered the "easy" version of the Rubik's cube. You will find out that solving the 2x2 cube is much easier than solving the classic 3x3x3 cube.
Is 1 minute cube good solve? ›
Is 1 minute good for Rubik's cube? So anything like a minute is definitely good for a beginner. The fastest cube solving world record is about 6.54 seconds.
This puzzle was originally called a Pyraminx Dodecahedron. The Pyraminx is a variant on the Rubik's Cube that was invented by Uwe Meffert and is shaped as a regular tetrahedron, a pyramid with four faces that are all equilateral triangles.
Is a Pyraminx easier than a Rubik's cube? ›
Solving a Pyraminx or triangle cube is much easier than solving a Rubik's cube. You just need to understand the notations and the edges to solve it.
What is the 2x2 Pyraminx called? ›
The Two Layer Pyraminx, also known as a 2x2 Pyraminx, is a puzzle similar to the original Pyraminx except it has one less layer than its three layer counterpart. The only turning parts on this puzzle are the 4 corners.
What is the God's number Pyraminx? ›
The above table shows that the God's Number of the Pyraminx Duo is 4 (i.e. the puzzle is always at most 4 twists away from its solved state). Similarly to the total number of combinations, this number is very low compared to the Rubik's Cube (20), the Pocket Cube (11) or the Pyraminx (11, excluding the trivial tips).
What does F mean in Pyraminx? ›
F (front) is opposite to the B tip. R (right) is opposite to the L tip. L (left) is opposite to the R tip. D (down) is opposite to the U tip.
Is Master Pyraminx easy? ›
The Pyraminx is really easy to solve, so it is imperative that you know how to do so before you start with this tutorial. This tutorial will also require basic knowledge of how certain moves affect different pieces on the puzzle, which can be acquired by playing around with a Pyraminx and seeing what you can do.
Which Rubik's Cube is impossible? ›
That title goes to MegaHouse, a subsidiary of Bandai Namco, which produces Rubik's Cubes in Japan for Spin Master. Their new Rubik's Cube Impossible does a pretty darn good job of making the classic puzzle game cube just that: impossible to solve.
What is a 12 sided Rubik's Cube called? ›
The Megaminx or Mégaminx (/ˈmɛɡəmɪŋks/, /ˈmeɪ-/) is a dodecahedron-shaped puzzle similar to the Rubik's Cube. It has a total of 50 movable pieces to rearrange, compared to the 20 movable pieces of the Rubik's Cube.
Is a Skewb a Pyraminx? ›
The Skewb (originally named the Pyraminx Cube) is a twistable puzzle in the shape of a cube that is cut diagonally 2 times along each of 4 axes. It is a cube-shaped puzzle. It consists of 6 center pieces and 8 corner pieces (four of which are attached to the central core).
Is 2x2 harder then 3x3? ›
It is considered the "easy" version of the Rubik's cube. You will find out that solving the 2x2 cube is much easier than solving the classic 3x3x3 cube.
In accordance with regulation 5b3c: “If the puzzle is unsolvable, and can be made solvable by rotating a single corner piece, the competitor may correct the corner piece by twisting it in place without disassembling the puzzle.” If you twist multiple corners even if the cube is still solvable, it will result in a DNF.
The notation for the Master Pyraminx will be done in a similar way to the notation for a regular Pyraminx, except with an extra layer. Knowledge of standard Rubik’s Cube and/or Pyraminx notation is required:
The first step involves solving the 3 edge centres on each side. This refers to the three pieces highlighted by the image. This can be done in the same way as solving the edges on a standard Pyraminx (in the first step of the Pyraminx solution), however instead of where you would do U, L, R and B moves on the standard Pyraminx, you do Uw, Lw, Rw and Bw moves. You should be able to do this without any help, considering that you already know how to solve centres in this way on a smaller puzzle.
Once you have the first three centres solved, you can complete the rest of the centres for the puzzle. This is, once again, an intuitive stage. Think of this like solving the tips on a regular Pyraminx. The tip is either solved or requires a U or U’ move to solve. Just do the same here so the yellow highlighted pieces match in colour with the pieces you solved earlier.
The last step of the overall centres section involves solving the actual centres on the puzzle (i.e. the piece in the exact centre of each face). This piece is highlighted in white on the adjacent image. There are three different cases for the centre pieces:
If you have only 1 centre solved, then hold this centre on the left of the puzzle. Then perform this algorithm: (Rw Uw Rw’ Uw). Do this algorithm twice. If the centres are still not solved, do it another two times.
The remaining edges are solved in three parts:
When solving the edges of the bottom layer of a standard Pyraminx, you most likely use a method that involves inserting pieces into their slots. The solved centres determine the slots and the stickers on the pieces determine the pieces. Moves are made that specifically preserve what is already made. For example, if you wanted to get Piece A into Slot B, you would have to do a specific set of moves. The simplest way would be by doing U’ R’. This would place the edge, but it would misplace Centre C. To avoid misplacing the centre, you need to insert the edge into the slot between the two pieces, not just in the position. This can be done by doing R U’ R’. The R move at the start brings the slot to the same layer as the piece, which allows for the piece to replace the one in the slot.
