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Twisting Puzzles
Megaminx - Hints & Algorithms
Introduction
If you have already solved the cube (if you haven't, why are you starting with the megaminx?), you shouldn't find the megaminx too hard. The experience of solving most parts of the megaminx is surprisingly similar to that of solving the cube. This page describes a few changes to the beginner's layer-by-layer method for the cube.
Step 1 - First 'Two' Layers
Start as you would for a cube. Place all of the edges on one of the layers and then slot in the corners to complete the face. Use the F2L (middle layer and corners) algorithms that you use for this part of the cube. Work your way downwards and solve everything but the bottom layer. You shouldn't need to deviate from basic cube strategy and, although you may get a bit confused from time-to-time, you will get there in the end. The image shows what you need to solve during this phase.
Step 2 - Orient Bottom Edges
Turn the puzzle over so that you have the unsolved layer on top now. On the cube, you would make a cross by orienting the edges. We can use the same approach and algorithm on the megaminx - the pattern is different though. If you can't see this pattern, do the algorithm a couple of times from different angles and eventually, you will. In the image, the pink face is our 'front' face.
F R U R' U' F'
To position the edges, rotate the puzzle so that there are correctly positioned edges on the two faces to the left of your front face. Then use the following algorithm to position the edges correctly, If, after doing the algorithm once, the edges still need positioning, rotate the puzzle to place solved edges on the left and do it again. It shouldn't take more than two goes of this to get everything sorted.
L' U' L U' L' U2 L U'
Step 3 - Permute Bottom Corners
The 3-cycle described in the beginner's cube method doesn't do anything on the megaminx. There is an alternative to use on the bottom corners. In the image, the dark grey corners are the ones we want to cycle. We aren't looking to orient them at this stage, just get them into position. The other two corners are not affected by the algorithm.
U L U' R' U L' U' R
Step 4 - Orient Bottom Corners
This stage is the same as the last stage of the beginner's layer-by-layer method for the cube. Like the cube, you turn the U layer to bring each corner to the same spot before twisting it into position. If it took a long time to get to this stage, you may wish to take a little extra care. Remember though, messing up just before the end is how you remember the early parts of a solution.