- Deviant

First Impressions
The DV8 Deviant grabs your attention right away with its dark blue and black solid design. At the center sits the symmetrical Deviant Medium RG core, which carries a 2.562 RG and a strong 0.050 differential. Wrapped around that core is the Composite Solid coverstock, finished with a matte 500 and 2000 Siaair surface. The unusually high RG makes the core rotate late, but the extremely tacky cover should ensure the ball retains sufficient traction in the heads. The concept focuses on a roll phase that starts late but is very heavy and continuous.
Comparison
Compared directly to the DV8 Vandal Smash, the Deviant engages noticeably later in the midlane due to its high RG and offers a longer, more controlled skid phase. Against a symmetrical benchmark ball like the Storm Phaze II, the Deviant's solid shell provides a similar amount of hold in the oil, but the hook begins with a distinct delay. As friction on the lane increases and the transition dries out the front part of the lane, the Deviant benefits enormously from its core. It ignores the early dry boards better than early-rolling balls and drives powerfully toward the pocket only late.
On the Lanes
The DV8 Deviant is best suited to lane conditions with medium oil volume. For strokers and tweeners it offers the ability to play the boards confidently from various angles, since the ball avoids sudden overreaction in the heads. The steady drive toward the pocket should deliver reliable carry. Once the lane is extremely wet, however, the high RG can make the ball start up too late and miss the breakpoint. In those situations an early-rolling layout or a stronger asymmetrical ball is advisable.