QiYi Pentacle Cube

QiYi Pentacle Cube

QiYi Pentacle Cube is a shape mod puzzle based on the 3x3 cube, designed by Yukang Wu and released under the QiYi brand (MoFangGe series). In the middle of each face there is a rotating piece shaped like a pentagram, a five-pointed star. These stars completely change the way you solve it. This is not just a regular 3x3 in a different shape, but a puzzle with an extra layer of difficulty.

How the Pentacle Cube works

On a regular 3x3 cube, you can turn any face at any time. The Pentacle Cube is different. To make a normal layer turn, the stars in the face centers have to be aligned correctly. If they are turned the wrong way, the move will lock up. So before each move, you need to think not only about which layer to turn, but also about how to set the stars so that the move is possible at all.

Knowing a 3x3 method helps a lot, but on its own it is not enough. You also have to keep track of the star positions and plan your moves a few steps ahead. That is exactly why the Pentacle Cube is interesting for people who can already solve a 3x3 and are looking for something new.

Build

The cube is approx. 60 mm, so it is slightly bigger than a typical 3x3 speed cube (usually 55–57 mm). It weighs approx. 120 g. It is a stickerless version in the bright color scheme: the colors are in the plastic, so nothing peels off or wears away. The cube has no magnets. It is a puzzle for relaxed solving, not for setting times, so the turns do not have the distinct "click" typical of magnetic cubes.

Who is it for?

For cubers who can already solve a 3x3 and want to try a puzzle where knowing algorithms is not enough. The Pentacle Cube also makes an interesting addition to a shape mod collection. It is rather a poor choice as a child's first cube. It is better to start with a regular 3x3 cube and reach for the Pentacle Cube once you have mastered the basics.

Specifications

• Type: shape mod puzzle based on the 3x3
• Manufacturer: QiYi (MoFangGe)
• Designer: Yukang Wu
• Size: approx. 60 mm
• Weight: approx. 120 g
• Magnets: none
• Color scheme: stickerless bright