- Tyrant

First Impressions
The Columbia 300 Tyrant, released in November 2016, sets a new benchmark for the brand in heavy oil performance. Visually, the ball shows up in a dark, powerful combination of black, blue and purple, which fits its aggressive character perfectly. Inside works the newly developed asymmetric Tyrant core, specified with a low 2.48 RG and a very high 0.056 differential (at 15 lbs). Those numbers guarantee extremely early revving and massive flare potential. The highlight, however, is the Reflex Solid HST coverstock (Hyper Shock Technology). This cover technology, originally used in the Energy line, has been maximized here to improve energy transfer to the pins. With a factory 500/2000 Abralon finish, the surface is extremely tacky and signals immediate traction.
Comparison
Compared directly to the Columbia 300 Swerve GT, the brand's previous flagship, the Tyrant gets into a roll noticeably earlier and is stronger overall down the whole lane. Where the Swerve GT still offered a bit of length, the Tyrant digs into the oil in the heads right away. Set against the Hammer Scandal (also out of the Ebonite International plant), both play in the "super solid" league. The Tyrant, though, often shows a somewhat more continuous motion through the pin deck, which is credited to the Hyper Shock Technology that softens the impact and keeps the pins lower. Next to a Storm Alpha Crux, the Tyrant often comes across as even a bit more aggressive in the midlane and is harder to faze with heavy oil.
On the Lanes
The Columbia 300 Tyrant is an absolute monster for heavy oil and long, high-volume sport patterns. It's the first ball you pull out of the bag when you're standing on a freshly oiled lane looking for traction. Its ability to hook in the deepest oil makes it indispensable if you throw the ball fast ("speed dominant") and often struggle to get the ball revved up early enough. It smooths out the reaction on wet lanes and keeps the ball from sliding past the breakpoint. For dry or even just medium oil conditions, however, this ball is entirely unsuitable, since it burns up immediately and loses all its energy before it reaches the pocket.