FangShi Trefoil Tetrahedron (12 Colors)

FangShi Trefoil Tetrahedron (12 Colors)

Straight out of the box, it's an ordinary tetrahedron. After a few moves, it no longer looks like one. The FangShi Trefoil Tetrahedron (12 Colors) is a shape-shifting puzzle from the LimCube series. When scrambled, it changes shape and turns into an irregular, rather strange-looking solid. The 12 Colors version is stickerless, made of colored plastic with no stickers.

What makes it challenging

The mechanism combines corner turns with edge turns, so the moves intersect differently than on the Pyraminx or other classic tetrahedrons. Scrambling changes not only the colors but also the silhouette of the puzzle itself. Before you start matching colors, you first have to restore the shape.

In the 12-color version, every piece has one specific place. There are no same-colored pieces that you can swap without consequences. You have to keep track of both the shape and the exact position of every piece the whole time. That's why this is the hardest of the three color schemes of the Trefoil.

12 Colors, 4-Color Faces or 4-Color Corners?

The Trefoil Tetrahedron comes in three color schemes:

• 4-Color Faces: each face has one color, like on a classic tetrahedron. This is a gentler introduction to this puzzle.
• 4-Color Corners: each of the four main corners has a different color.
• 12 Colors: the most information to track and the highest difficulty level.

Some sellers label these versions as V1 (12 Colors), V2 (4-Color Faces) and V3 (4-Color Corners), so when comparing offers, keep in mind it's the same family of puzzles.

Who is it for?

For those who have already conquered the Pyraminx, the Skewb and a few simpler shape-shifting puzzles, and want something noticeably harder. It's also a great addition to a collection of unusual puzzles. This is not a puzzle for speedcubing or setting times. Here, what counts is understanding the mechanism and working out your own method. If it's your first puzzle other than a 3x3 cube, it's better to choose something simpler. If you'd like to get to know the Trefoil without jumping straight into the deep end, you can start with the 4-Color Faces version.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: FangShi (LimCube series)
• Type: shape-shifting puzzle based on a tetrahedron
• Color scheme: 12 colors
• Finish: stickerless (Stickerless Bright)
• Material: ABS plastic