Lee X Cube I

Lee X Cube I

Lee X Cube I is a shape-shifting puzzle from Lee in a black colour version. When solved, it is a cube with sides of about 60 mm. After a few moves it starts to lose its cube shape, because individual pieces move to different places in the puzzle. Lee is known in the cubing community for shape mods made in small batches. These are puzzles for people who enjoy something different from standard speedcubing.

How a shape-shifting puzzle works

In a classic cube, every piece has the same place in the shape, and solving comes down to colours. In shape-shifting puzzles like this one, geometry matters too. Once scrambled, the puzzle becomes irregular, so you have to keep track of which piece fits where. Knowing a 3x3 method helps, but it is not enough to solve this puzzle straight away. You need to learn how this particular shape behaves.

Solving the whole thing is only part of the fun. Many people treat puzzles like this as a challenge for quiet evenings and the solved puzzle as a shelf decoration. The distinctive cut pattern is best seen in the product photos.

What to expect

This is not a cube for setting fast times. It is not used in WCA competitions, and with puzzles of this type, feel and smoothness of turning take a back seat. The shape and the process of figuring out the puzzle matter more. It is best to turn it calmly, without aggressive turning, especially when the puzzle is heavily scrambled and pieces stick out beyond the outline of the cube.

Who is it for?

For people who can already solve a 3x3 and are looking for a new kind of challenge, and for collectors of shape mods and less typical puzzles. For a child's first cube, a classic 3x3 is a better choice. Once you have mastered the basics, X Cube I can be a good next step.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Lee
• Type: shape-shifting puzzle (shape mod)
• Size: approx. 60 mm (approx. 6 x 5.95 x 5.95 cm when solved)
• Colour: black (Black)