- Hero Solid

First Impressions
The Brunswick Hero Solid comes in an eye-catching black/pink/purple color scheme and uses the proven Activator Plus 2.0 Solid Reactive coverstock with a 500/2000 Siaair Micro Pad surface. The ball was released in November 2020 and is built around the symmetrical Contra core with a 2.474 RG and a 0.047 differential at 15 pounds. As technical highlights, the Hero Solid features Brunswick's Durability Optimization Technology (DOT) as well as the DynamiCore outer core technology, which should provide less compression at impact and therefore increased hitting power.
Comparison
The Hero Solid was created as the successor to the very successful Brunswick Hero Pearl, with the removal of the pearl additives making it better suited to oilier lane conditions. While the original Hero Pearl shined on today's steep house conditions thanks to its cleanliness through the heads, there was occasionally a need for a ball that offers a similar finish but picks up earlier in the heads and midlane. The Hero Solid revs up about one to two feet earlier in the midlane and still delivers the strong, smooth and predictable finish through the pins. Compared to more aggressive solid balls like the Storm Phaze II, the Hero Solid shows a more controlled, benchmark-style reaction without extreme angle.
On the Lanes
The Hero Solid works as a perfect benchmark ball for a wide range of players and shows its strengths especially on medium oil patterns. With its ability to get through oilier patterns while still picking up reliably in the midlane, it offers versatile options. The DynamiCore technology should provide improved carry and a clearly noticeable change in sound and pin action. Rev-dominant players in particular benefit from the controlled reaction, which stays predictable even with more aggressive releases. The DOT technology additionally reduces the tendency to crack and increases the ball's durability, which makes it a solid investment if you bowl regularly.