- Warrant

First Impressions
The DV8 Warrant comes in a striking color combination of Green, Royal and Navy that catches the eye immediately on the lanes. Technically, this ball marks an important step for DV8 in January 2020, since it introduces the new Captive Asymmetric core. This core has a medium RG of 2.505 and a very high differential of 0.054, complemented by a moderate intermediate differential of 0.012. Those numbers point to a ball that gets through the heads easily but has massive flare potential. The core is wrapped in the N-Forcer SF hybrid coverstock. SF stands for "Skid-Flip" here, which clearly defines the ball's intent. Out of the box it is finished with 500/1000 Siaair and then polished with Crown Factory Compound. This glossy surface provides clean length, while the roughness underneath helps keep the ball from missing the breakpoint. The ball also features DynamiCore technology for better pin carry and DOT technology for increased durability.
Comparison
Within the DV8 lineup, the Warrant works as the perfect partner to the DV8 Verge. Where the Verge (solid) reads early and makes a rounder move, the Warrant offers noticeably more length and a sharper reaction at the end of the pattern. Compared to a Storm Phaze III, which is also a polished hybrid, the Warrant shows a somewhat more defined move in the midlane thanks to its asymmetric core, but feels similarly explosive in the backend. Against a classic benchmark ball like the Storm Hy-Road, the Warrant is stronger overall: it has a considerably higher differential (0.054 vs 0.046) and, because of the asymmetry, responds faster to friction, so it covers more boards. It is the more aggressive option if a symmetrical pearl ball doesn't give you enough "kick" in the pocket.
On the Lanes
The DV8 Warrant is ideal for medium oil conditions and for situations where the front part of the lane has already broken down a bit. It shines as a transition ball: when strong solids like the Intimidator or Verge start rolling too early and losing energy, the Warrant is the logical choice. Thanks to the polish it glides effortlessly over the played-in heads, stores its energy and releases it with a strong skid-flip move in the backend. That makes it especially attractive if you like to open up the angle and play from the inside out. The asymmetric core keeps enough stability that it won't shoot through the pocket uncontrolled. On extremely fresh, long oil, however, it could be a bit too slick; a duller surface would be preferable there.