Lanlan X Cube

LanLan X Cube, a shape-shifting Skewb

Straight out of the box it looks like an ordinary cube of about 57 mm, but the LanLan X Cube is not a 3x3 cube. It is a shape mod built on the Skewb mechanism. A Skewb has four axes of rotation, and every move turns half of the puzzle around one of its corners. The cuts on the faces form the letter X, which gives the model its name. We offer the version with a black body.

What makes it challenging

After just a few moves, the X Cube stops being a cube. The pieces have different shapes and sizes, so the puzzle changes its form with every turn. The hardest part is that in a scrambled state it is difficult to tell which piece is a corner and which is a center. Knowing a Skewb method helps a lot, because the moves are the same as on a classic Skewb. However, you have to apply them to pieces that look completely different. Solving it means matching the colors and returning the puzzle to its cube shape at the same time.

A regular Skewb can quickly be learned by heart. Here, you first have to figure out what is actually in a given spot. That makes it a puzzle for working things out at your own pace, not for setting fast times or high TPS.

Who is it for?

Mainly for people who can already solve a classic Skewb and want to try something that takes more thinking than muscle memory. LanLan is known for unusual and challenging designs, and the X Cube fits right into that series. It also makes an interesting addition to a collection of shape mods. For a child's first puzzle, a regular Skewb or a 3x3 cube is a better choice. Without knowing the basics, the X Cube can quickly become discouraging.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: LanLan
• Type: shape mod (Skewb shape mod)
• Mechanism: Skewb, 4 axes of rotation
• Size: approx. 57 mm
• Body color: black