FangShi 2x2x2 Transform - Rhombohedron

FangShi 2x2x2 Transform - Rhombohedron

This puzzle is part of the Transform series by FangShi (LimCube). Inside it has a 2x2x2 cube mechanism, but when solved, the FangShi 2x2x2 Transform - Rhombohedron doesn't look like a cube at all. It is shaped like a rhombohedron, a solid with six rhombus-shaped faces. Each vertex has round pieces that can be rotated, so it scrambles more deeply than a plain rhombohedron would. The version we stock is stickerless bright.

How it works

The layers turn just like on a 2x2x2, so after only a few moves the rhombohedron loses its shape and becomes an irregular solid. On top of that, there are the discs at the vertices. Each one rotates in fixed steps, and you have to set it back in place to restore the colors on the faces. While solving, you need to keep track of two things at once: the shape of the puzzle, which depends on the position of the 2x2 layers, and the orientation of the discs.

This is not a speedcubing puzzle. It's about problem-solving, not TPS. Knowing the 2x2x2 and having experience with shape mods such as the Mirror Blocks or Pyramorphix helps, but the colors and shape mean you have to apply standard 2x2 algorithms with some thought.

Who is it for?

For people who can solve a 2x2 or 3x3 and want to try something other than yet another cube. For collectors of shape-shifting puzzles, it makes an interesting addition alongside other models in FangShi's Transform series. A child who is just starting out with cubes will be better off with a classic 2x2 or 3x3. The Rhombohedron is worth coming back to once the basics are mastered.

One practical tip: on puzzles with a 2x2 mechanism, don't force the corners out. This can damage the pieces.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: FangShi (LimCube)
• Series: Transform
• Type: shape-shifting puzzle (shape mod) on a 2x2x2 mechanism
• Shape when solved: rhombohedron with rotating round pieces at the vertices
• Size: approx. 60 mm
• Color scheme: stickerless bright