Lanlan Rhombic Dodecahedron

LanLan Rhombic Dodecahedron

LanLan Rhombic Dodecahedron is a puzzle shaped like a rhombic dodecahedron. It has 12 rhombus-shaped faces, each with stickers in a different colour. Inside, it runs on a 4x4 cube mechanism, so it is a shape mod: you turn the same layers as on a regular 4x4, but the puzzle has a completely different shape. The body is black.

How it differs from a regular 4x4

If you can solve a 4x4 cube, you will recognise the moves right away. The difficulty lies elsewhere. After scrambling, the shape does not change as much as in many shape mods, but the twelve colours make it much harder to keep track of where each piece should go. Based on user feedback:

• The edge pairs look such that they cannot be flipped, so you do not run into the flipped-edge parity that everyone who solves a 4x4 knows.
• The centers have visible orientation. Many standard 4x4 algorithms rotate groups of centers, so you need to keep an eye on this and sometimes do a few extra moves.
• Some people say the turning is quite heavy, especially with the centers. You need to align the layers carefully before turning the next one.

So this is not a puzzle for fast turning or timed solves. It works better for relaxed solving, when the point is to understand how the pieces behave.

Who is it for?

For people who already know how to solve a 4x4 and want to try it in a new form, as well as for collectors of unusual puzzles. We do not recommend it as a first puzzle: without knowing the 4x4, it is hard to get started. It also looks great on a shelf.

Note: LanLan also offers the Gear Rhombic Dodecahedron. That is a different puzzle with rotating gears. The model described here is a standard shape mod on a 4x4 mechanism, without gears.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: LanLan
• Type: 4x4 cube shape mod, rhombic dodecahedron
• Number of faces: 12 (each in a different colour)
• Body colour: black, with stickers
• Size: approx. 65.5 mm
• Dimensions: approx. 6.3 x 6.16 x 6.1 cm