- Super Gate SE

First Impressions
The Storm Super Gate SE, released in December 2018, is a special highlight, since it was originally an "overseas" release (international market, primarily Asia) that found its way to Europe through importers. These balls often enjoy cult status because of their extreme performance. Visually, the Super Gate SE usually comes in a dark, serious color combination (often black/navy/platinum), refined by a matte 2000-grit Abralon finish. The heart of the ball is the legendary Ignition Core. This asymmetric core is a technical monster with a 2.49 RG, a 0.052 differential and a 0.019 intermediate differential (at 15 lbs). It is known for its quick rev rate and its powerful rotation. The cover is the GI-18 Solid Reactive material (Game Improvement 2018), a chemical evolution of the shell that already made the original Super Gate a success. The combination of this fast-revving core and the extremely porous solid cover practically screams "traction in oil."
Comparison
Compared directly to the original Storm Super Gate (GI-17 Solid), the SE offers a touch more chemical bite in the front part of the lane thanks to the GI-18 formula, which makes it even more resistant to sliding in oil. Compared to the Storm Sure Lock available regularly in the US market (which was likewise built for heavy oil), the Super Gate SE often provides a somewhat more continuous motion. The Ignition Core tends to stand up very hard, but keeps a smoother roll phase than the sometimes abruptly stopping RAD-X core of the Sure Lock. Against the Storm PhysiX (released the same year), the Super Gate SE is noticeably earlier and smoother. The PhysiX (hybrid) has more kick on the backend, while the Super Gate SE simply steamrolls the lane. It plays in the same league as a Roto Grip Halo, but thanks to the typical Storm cover chemistry it often feels a bit more dynamic at the pin deck.
On the Lanes
The Storm Super Gate SE is an absolute specialist for heavy oil and long sport patterns. It is the ultimate tool for the fresh shot, when the lane is still swimming and you're desperately looking for friction. Its matte surface digs into the heads immediately and keeps the ball from sliding past the breakpoint. It is especially valuable if you throw the ball fast (speed-dominant) and often struggle to get balls to hook, or if you're a tournament player who needs a safe bet to control the pocket. It smooths out over/under reactions perfectly, since it doesn't jump. On dry lanes or house shots with little volume, however, it is almost unplayable; it would start rolling so early that it loses all of its energy before reaching the pins (roll-out). It is a premium ball for premium oil volumes.