- Clone Attack

First Impressions
The Roto Grip Clone Attack presents itself as an exciting further development within the HP4 line and represents a more aggressive version of the regular "Clone." As an international release (OEM), this ball combines proven technology with a significant material upgrade. Visually, it often sets itself apart from the standard model with its own color scheme (frequently fuchsia/carbon/white). Inside works the dynamic Cloned E.T. Core (Equalizer Technology), an asymmetric core originally developed to simulate the effect of a balance hole. The specs at 15 lbs are identical to the standard model with a 2.51 RG and a 0.056 differential, which produces an early-revving core and high flare potential. The decisive "turbo" of this ball, however, is the coverstock: instead of the OptiTrax blend, the considerably stronger MicroTrax Solid Reactive coverstock is used here, though it ships polished from the factory (usually 1500-grit polished). This combination of strong chemistry and smooth finish promises a fascinating mix of traction and length.
Comparison
Compared directly to the regular Roto Grip Clone (with OptiTrax Solid), the Clone Attack is overall stronger and more assertive in oil. The MicroTrax base chemistry — known from heavyweights like the Roto Grip Gem — ensures that despite the polished surface the ball "reads" the oil film in the heads better and doesn't skid so easily past the breakpoint. You could describe the Clone Attack as a "polished version of the Gem" or as a more aggressive variant of the Roto Grip UFO Alert. While balls like the Roto Grip Attention Star are designed more for maximum length and a whip-like reaction at the end of the lane, the Clone Attack offers a rounder yet still powerful shape. It generates more traction in the midlane than a pure pearl ball, but thanks to the polish it retains enough energy for the backend, where it makes a defined but controllable change of direction. It thus closes the gap between the "snowplow" balls for heavy oil (like the Gem or the Harsh Reality from 900 Global) and the faster pearl balls.
On the Lanes
The Roto Grip Clone Attack is made for medium-heavy to heavy oil conditions, where pure high-performance solids would lose energy too early but shiny pearl balls still react too nervously. Thanks to the MicroTrax cover, it provides enough margin to find traction even on the inside part of the lane on plenty of oil. For tournament players it is an excellent choice for "opening up" the lane: it allows deeper angles to be played without the fear that the ball will drown in the sauce or react too sensitively to dry boards during transition. It generates plenty of hook and carry by attacking the pocket with a strong entry angle, while the move from oil to dry (friction) is not as abrupt as with some skid-flip balls. It is ideal as the first ball out of the bag on typical house shots, or as a transition ball on sport patterns when the heads are still intact but the backend already allows for defined reactions.