Hi all. I am trying to upgrade my arsenal a bit and am looking for one more ball to be my go to ball - 1st out of the bag. I recently picked up the Reign of fire for when lanes start to break down and the 505c for when the heads are shot. Now I need to replace my Cell which died out on me. I know the obvious answer is to just get the Mutant Cell but the Cell was too strong at times for the old beat up wood heads we have here and I would leave a ton of splits.

So - to give you some background - I'm a higher Track player - with a high rev rate. My ball speed is 15.2mph and I play over the 15 or 20 board out to 7 depending on the oil. Usually always moving left verses right.

So because of my ball speed and the lane conditions I'm wondering if the Mutant Cell and or Invasion might be too strong for me - starting too early. I've been looking closer at the Second Dimension and Virtual Energy because of their coverstocks but I've yet to see someone throw either ball here. If anyone has any suggestions between the VE and 2nd dimension I would appreciate the input. Thanks

Reign of Fire is a very strong ball in its own right. It will do just fine in replacing your Cell. Of the three balls you mentioned, the 2nd Dimension would be what I'd point you toward.

I like the virtual Energy. I have it drilled aggressive and it hooks. I would say it performs well on medium to heavy. I think its a very good ball. It hits hard. Its a very solid ball.

The Reign of Fire is a more aggressive ball than the 2nd Dimension or Virtual Energy. You will probably see more hook out of the 2D of VE because they will store more energy through the front part of the lane, but I would not say that the Reign of Fire would be stepping down from them.

I vote the Hy-Road as you already have the Reign of Fire to replace your aggressive ball.

The Hy-Road is a great benchmark ball because of its core and hybrid cover. I think you would really like the ball as it looks like it has a great place in your arsenal.

My second choice would be the Virtual Energy and third choice would be the Second Dimension.

I will have to check the stats out on the Hy-Road. The hybrid cover stock on the Virtual Energy is what is appealing to me so maybe the Hy-Road could work as well. Also, I'm suprised to hear that you think the Reign of Fire could replace the Cell as an agressive ball. I bought this for more med-oil and have it drilled less aggresive for drier lane conditions. Also polished it to get it down the lane further.

Storm is doing a work shop where I live and they are offering the Invasion for $120.00 plus a $20.00 fee to spend some time with you on the lanes - which includes a video analysis which they send back to the Storm hdq. for review. From there they recommend a layout for you. Problem is I think the Invasion is too strong for what I need. Might try seeing if they would do the Virtual Energy instead. Any thoughts?

From what I understand, the Reign of Fire is a monster. I just picked one up and have yet to get it drilled. It will be my top hooking ball in my arsenal. I thought of getting the invasion but I decided it would be too much ball. If your really a high rev player, then I would think that the Reign of Fire would be a lot of ball for you. I would think it might even burn up on wood. Since wood breaks down faster and requires bigger moves. I wouldn't expect the Reign of Fire to last more than one game. Instead of polishing it and drilling it to go long, why didn't you just pick up the Reign instead? The Pearl cover of the Reign would give it the length your looking for and would still come back very strong. On the other hand you already have a Cell Pearl. My goodness, that's a lot of bowling balls. What do you really carry with you? Couldn't be all of them?
I could see
Reign of Fire - Heavy/Long Oil
Cell Pearl - Medium oil
Pluto - Short/light oil.
Certainly no need for 9 bowling balls. Your back must be killing you. :-)

If you are between the VE and the Hy-Road, I guess it is how much oil you are looking to play with it. The Hy-Road is my benchmark. I plan on getting a VE for when there is some carry down or on a bit longer\more oily shot. I have found out over the last year or so that solids don't work as well for me. I have been loving my Hy-Road and the cover takes changes nicely.

I don't think that you can go wrong with either of them.

LOL - I know it's nuts but I actually only bring 4 balls with me maybe 5 if I carry a spare ball. Here is what I bring with me:

1)Reign of Fire - (removed polish now at 1000)med/hvy
2)Rapid Fire Solid - med/hvy
3)Pluto- med or Cell Pearl
4)505c - med/light

The Cell Pearl is a bit jumpy off the spot on the pattern here so I have a love hate relationship with it.

The other balls in my arsenal:

1)NSane - Great ball but reads too early on wood
2)Awesome Finish - same as above
3)Cell - died out on me
4)Tropical Storm- use as a spare

So really I only have 4-5 balls that work for me on the lane conditions here. I would like to find something less squirly then the Cell Pearl that also hits like a truck and turns the corner. One other ball I've been eyeballing is the Track 915A. However, nobody here throughs Track anymore.

My Pro Shop had special deal on the Reign of Fire so I went with that instead of the Reign. I had it drilled to go long because I was afraid it would burn up too early in the heads being a solid. Then I added polish because I have had bad luck with dull balls burning out from soaking up so much oil. However, this thing went a little longer then I wanted so I took it back down to factory finish.

The Reign of Fire hits like a truck but if you get it in too deep it seems to have trouble recovering. I'm still playing with it to see what it can do. Tonight at league there was a flood in the middle and I couldn't get a good reaction out of it. When I moved right it overhooked but everyone was struggling so I cant blame the ball. Just a tough shot.