- Beast Blue/Black/White

First Impressions
The Columbia 300 Beast in the Blue/Black/White color combination was released in May 2019 and, with its classic marbled look, targets beginners and fans of traditional designs. Technically, this ball sits in the "light oil / entry level" segment. It uses the symmetrical Beast core, a classic light-bulb shape with a high RG of 2.54 and a low differential of 0.033. These core numbers mean the ball generates an extreme amount of length and keeps flare potential low. The cover is the Bend-It Pearl Reactive shell, sanded at the factory to 500/2000 Abralon and then polished to a high shine with Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish. The result is a smooth, mirror-like surface that almost completely refuses friction in the heads.
Comparison
Compared to its direct market rival, the Storm Tropical Surge, the Beast often shows a somewhat later reaction. While the Tropical Surge (depending on the cover variant) sometimes starts to grab slightly in the midlane, the Beast skids more consistently to the end of the oil pattern before it reacts. Against the Brunswick Rhino, the Beast often looks a touch more flippy or angular at the breakpoint, while the Rhino describes a rounder, smoother shape. Drawing the comparison to a pure plastic ball like the Columbia 300 White Dot, the Beast offers real hook and better pin carry thanks to its dynamic core, but it forgives almost as many mistakes. It is, however, clearly weaker than the next step up in the lineup, such as a Columbia 300 Messenger, which offers more midlane read.
On the Lanes
The Columbia 300 Beast is the ideal first reactive ball if you want to learn the hooking game. It offers enough length not to become uncontrollable, yet reacts clearly enough at the end of the lane to drive into the pocket. For advanced players it is a specialty weapon on extremely dry lanes or burned-up house patterns. When stronger balls already start hooking at the arrows and losing energy, the Beast lets you keep playing a controlled line. It absolutely needs dry boards at the backend (friction) to work; on fresh or heavy oil it will skid straight for lack of traction.