- Combat Tank

First Impressions
The Motiv Combat Tank was released in January 2018 as a limited edition and represents something of a technical oddity among urethane balls. Finished in black and burgundy, this ball uses the Alchemy Hybrid coverstock – one of the rare hybrid urethane blends on the market. Inside works the symmetrical Recon core, originally known from the entry-level line, but here it develops an entirely new dynamic. With a 2.59 RG and a 0.025 differential at 15 pounds, the setup is built for more length and a controlled continuation. The dull 3000 grit LSS (Laser Scan Sanded) factory finish helps the hybrid technology bridge the gap between the extremely early reaction of solid urethane and the cleanliness of pearl versions.
Comparison Compared to the Motiv Tank Rampage, the Combat Tank offers a higher RG and a larger differential thanks to the Recon core, which results in noticeably more length through the heads and a stronger move at the end of the lane. Where the Tank Rampage reads very early and often loses steam prematurely, the Combat Tank should store its energy better for the pins. Set it next to the Storm Phaze II and the fundamental difference between hybrid urethane and a high-performance solid reactive becomes obvious: the Combat Tank reacts much earlier and more evenly, but it doesn't come anywhere close to the total hook potential of the Phaze II. Compared to the Motiv Venom Shock, the Combat Tank provides considerably more stable control of the pocket on drier lanes or short patterns, since it is less sensitive to friction spikes than the reactive core of the Venom Shock.
On the Lanes The Motiv Combat Tank is designed as a specialized solution for short oil patterns or lanes with extremely high friction potential. Through the Alchemy Hybrid cover it should deliver that typical silky-smooth urethane motion without braking as hard in the heads as classic solid urethane balls. It's the ideal choice if you have to keep your angles small on difficult sport patterns but still need a certain amount of continuation through the pins. On typical house shots (THS) it plays to its strengths above all when the lanes are burned extremely dry and conventional balls become too unpredictable. If you have a high rev rate, it offers an excellent way to keep control of the breakpoint, while for speed-dominant players on shorter patterns it provides enough traction not to shoot past the target. Thanks to the moderate differential it also forgives slight inaccuracies at the release and stays predictable throughout.