FangShi Morpho Helena

FangShi Morpho Helena

FangShi Morpho Helena (also released under the LimCube brand) is a shape-shifting puzzle built on a Skewb mechanism, with additional rotating, split edges. It looks like a cube, but after a few moves it stops being one. The edges can be turned by a partial angle, so the puzzle allows jumbling and changes shape. Put simply, you can think of it as a heavily expanded Mix-Up Skewb. It belongs to the same Morpho series as Deidamia and is its close relative.

How to solve it

Corner moves work just like on a regular Skewb. The difficulty begins with the edges. When you turn an edge by an angle that doesn't allow a standard move, some moves become temporarily blocked (bandaging) and the puzzle changes its geometry. On top of that, you'll run into situations that don't exist on a Skewb at all, so knowing the Skewb only helps at the start.

To be honest, this is not a puzzle for speedsolving. Turning isn't smooth, and Helena can catch. If an edge doesn't return exactly to its place, it blocks the edges on both sides. It's best to turn calmly and keep the layers aligned.

Tension adjustment

Tension is set with screws. It's worth doing this before the first scramble, because a lot depends on tensioning: a puzzle that's too loose is more likely to pop, while one that's too tight becomes heavy to turn.

Who is it for?

For experienced collectors and anyone who enjoys unusual puzzles and has already tackled the Skewb and a few simpler shape mods. It's one of the most difficult puzzles in our range and is intended for advanced solvers. For your first puzzle "other than 3x3", a regular Skewb is a better choice. Morpho Helena is not permitted in official WCA competitions.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: FangShi (LimCube)
• Type: shape-shifting puzzle on a Skewb mechanism, with rotating, split edges
• Series: Morpho
• Size: approx. 65.5 mm
• Weight: approx. 176 g
• Magnets: none
• Adjustment: tension screws
• Colour: stickerless bright
• Release year: 2020
• In the box: puzzle