- Raven Invasion

First Impressions
The Visionary Raven Invasion presents itself as a visually very appealing bowling ball that deliberately expands the highly successful and proven Raven series with a high-polish pearl option. The design is intended to offer a completely different reaction on the lane compared to the dull versions of the line. At the heart of this model works the well-known symmetrical Ogre HDC core, which has already proven its full performance and versatility in numerous other balls from this manufacturer. At a standard ball weight of 15 pounds, this core delivers a medium RG of 2.530 paired with a considerable differential of 0.049. These technical specifications point to very strong flare potential and a high degree of internal core dynamics. This proven engine is wrapped in a reactive pearl coverstock. To ensure maximum length in the skid phase down the lane, the surface is polished to a full high gloss out of the box. This specific combination of the extremely smooth pearl cover and the dynamic symmetrical core should ensure that the ball glides extremely easily and cleanly through the heads even when there is little oil. Instead of early, energy-sapping traction, the ball stores its rotational energy very efficiently in order to produce a fast, pronounced and very angular change of direction in the form of a sharp hook at the end of the oil pattern. The entire construction is unmistakably aimed at delivering a late but all the more powerful reaction on the lane.
Comparison In a detailed comparative look, the Visionary Raven Invasion shows a motion profile that clearly positions it as a typical skid-flip ball within the lineup. Taking the Visionary Raven Attack as a direct in-house reference, which is equipped with an extremely dull solid cover, completely opposite but perfectly complementary areas of use emerge. While the Attack version grabs very early in the oil pattern, builds a lot of traction and produces a heavy, round arc, the Invasion version glides effortlessly through already broken-down heads and reacts considerably more aggressively at the breakpoint. Comparing this ball motion with a modern, industry-established pearl ball such as the Storm Hy-Road Pearl, quite similar basic characteristics show up, though with fine but decisive nuances in the core reaction. Both balls use symmetrical cores for a certain degree of predictability, but the significantly higher differential of the Visionary Raven Invasion provides somewhat wider flare and a potentially sharper reaction once the ball reaches the end of the oil and hits dry boards. When the lane goes into transition over the course of league play or a tournament and the oil in the front part of the lane increasingly diminishes, the length-oriented pearl cover plays its greatest strength. It consistently avoids burning up too early and preserves the necessary kinetic energy to still hit the pins powerfully and dynamically even when friction becomes massive.
On the Lanes Because of its construction, which is heavily geared toward maximum length and an angular backend reaction, the Visionary Raven Invasion is primarily designed for medium to lighter oil volumes as well as drying-up, forgiving house shots. The very smooth surface reliably ensures that the ball does not start rolling prematurely and does not build unwanted friction. That makes it a perfect and indispensable tool for the later games of a series or during longer tournaments, when the front lane segments have already been played heavily and the heads offer very little protective oil. If you like to send the ball out in a wide arc over the outside boards and absolutely have to rely on extremely strong recovery on the backend, you'll find an ideally suited model here. The very late hook build-up creates an exceptionally steep and advantageous entry angle into the pocket, which favors truly explosive carry and maximizes the pin fall rate. On very wet house patterns, extremely flat sport conditions or long oil patterns, however, this smooth setup reaches its physical limits. In such demanding scenarios the ball simply builds friction too late, slides uncontrolled past the breakpoint and, in the worst case, hits the pins very weakly. It is therefore advisable and recommended to use this ball specifically on drying-up conditions, or to adjust the surface minimally if urgently needed by lightly scuffing it with a pad in order to increase traction in the midlane somewhat.