- Intense Fire

First Impressions
Released in June 2018, the Storm Intense Fire is the direct successor to the successful original Intense and brings plenty of heat to the lane. Visually the ball is hard to miss: the color combination of Ultramarine, Persimmon and black is extremely vivid, and the typical "lavender" scent is a Storm trademark. Inside works the same asymmetric RAD-E core (Radial Accelerating Disc - Energy) that already drove the original. With a 2.49 RG and a 0.050 differential (at 15 lbs) plus a 0.017 intermediate diff, this core is designed for quick revving up and energy retention. The big change is in the shell: instead of a pure pearl, the R3S Hybrid Reactive coverstock is used here. Combined with the 1500-grit polished finish, the Intense Fire aims to keep the aggressiveness of the original while making the reaction to oil lines somewhat more stable.
Comparison
Compared directly to the original Storm Intense (green/white, pearl), the Intense Fire reads the midlane a bit earlier and stronger. The hybrid cover smooths out the sometimes "jerky" overreaction of the pearl on dry backends a little, without sacrificing the spectacular change of direction ("hockey stick motion"). It looks "fuller" on the lane. If you bring in the popular Code series (Code Black, Code Red) for comparison, the Intense Fire positions itself as a somewhat stronger option. The RAD-E core generates more torque than the RAD4 core of the Codes, which means the Intense Fire often drives through the pins better when you play deeper angles. It is the more aggressive, more modern alternative to a Storm Hy-Road when you need more core power.
On the Lanes
The Storm Intense Fire is a phenomenal choice for medium to heavier oil patterns where you want to open up the lane. It is the perfect "transition" ball: if you started with a dull solid (like a Phaze II or Sure Lock) and it begins to lose energy too early, the switch to the Intense Fire is ideal. It glides effortlessly through played-in heads, but thanks to the hybrid component it offers enough traction in the midlane not to slide away. Its greatest strength is the backend: it generates huge angles and recovers reliably even from wide positions. It is an absolute favorite for players who like to see the hook and want to cover a lot of boards.