QiYi Mastermorphix

QiYi Mastermorphix

On the inside it has the mechanism of a regular 3x3 cube, but on the outside it looks like a rounded tetrahedron. The QiYi Mastermorphix is one of the first shape mods of the 3x3 cube. The moves are the same as on a classic cube, but the puzzle has only four colors, and after a few turns it changes its shape completely. When solved, it resembles a Pyraminx. When scrambled, it looks like a chaotic mass of protruding pieces.

How it differs from a regular 3x3

To solve the Mastermorphix, you need to know a 3x3 method, but algorithms alone are not enough. The pieces come in different shapes and sizes, so they are harder to recognize. The centers are two-colored and have to be placed in the correct orientation, which you don't do on a regular cube. Near the end of the solve, it's easy to run into a situation where everything looks fine but one center is rotated. That's when center orientation algorithms come in handy, the same ones known to people who solve supercubes or picture cubes.

How it turns

This cube has no magnets, so there is no "click" that snaps the layers into place. Turning is light and smooth, and the factory-lubed puzzle is ready to solve straight out of the box. Keep in mind that shape mods have different proportions than 3x3 cubes. When a layer is far out of alignment, corner cutting is smaller than on a modern speed cube, so it's better to turn precisely. Adjustment screws let you change the tension, setting it looser and faster or tighter and more stable.

Color versions

• Stickerless Bright: pieces made of bright, colored plastic with no stickers. The colors are the easiest to read.
• Jelly color: semi-transparent, colored pieces.
• Transparent: a clear version that shows the mechanism. This version is more of a collector's item.

The mechanism is the same in all versions. They differ only in appearance. For your first attempts, the pieces are easiest to recognize in the Stickerless Bright version.

Who is it for?

For anyone who can already solve a 3x3 cube and wants to try something new but familiar. The Mastermorphix is a great way to learn to think about pieces regardless of how they look. It is not a WCA event, so you buy it for fun and for your collection, not for competition training. For a child's first puzzle, a regular 3x3 cube is a better choice.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: QiYi
• Type: 3x3 shape mod (Mastermorphix)
• Size: approx. 73 mm
• Weight: approx. 101 g
• Magnets: none
• Adjustment: adjustment screws
• Official WCA events: no
• Variants: Stickerless Bright, Jelly color, Transparent
• In the box: puzzle and solving instructions