- Sword C3

First Impressions
The Storm Sword C3 was released in December 2017 as part of the Sword series, which was designed primarily for the Asian market. Visually, the ball stands out with a deep midnight blue, complemented by a subtle apple pie scent. Technically, this ball relies on a proven combination of control and moderate aggressiveness. Inside works the symmetrical C3 Centripetal Control Core, known for its forgiving characteristics. In a 15-pound ball, the core shows a low RG of 2.49 and a small differential of 0.029. The cover is the Reactor Pearl Reactive coverstock, finished at the factory with a 1500-grit polish. These specs point to a ball that gets through the heads effortlessly and shows a very controlled move at the breakpoint.
Comparison Compared to the globally known Storm IQ Tour Solid, the Sword C3 gets noticeably more length thanks to its Reactor Pearl cover. While the IQ Tour Solid already starts to grab in the midlane because of its dull solid surface, the Sword C3 stays clean longer and only responds to friction later. Compared to the Storm Phaze II, the Sword C3 is considerably smoother and less powerful off the backend. The Phaze II generates significantly more flare and total hook thanks to its higher differential, while the Sword C3 is built to hold its shape on the lane and avoid extreme moves. Compared to the Storm Hy-Road Pearl, the Sword C3 offers an earlier, rounder roll phase due to the C3 core, since the Hy-Road's Inverted Fe2 core tends to make the direction change somewhat more abrupt and angular.
On the Lanes The ideal range for the Storm Sword C3 is medium to dry lane conditions as well as artificially created short oil patterns. It's meant to come out when stronger balls react too early or the backend gets too unruly. If you have a high rev rate, the ball offers excellent control to the pocket, since the low differential limits flare potential and keeps the overall hook motion predictable. For players who prefer a more direct line, the Sword C3 is also a reliable option for getting cleanly through the heads without being surprised by excessive friction down lane. In tournament scenarios, it works very well as a ball for the late transition, when the heads have already dried up and precision matters more than maximum power.