- Mythic Jackal

First Impressions
The Motiv Mythic Jackal makes a visual statement with a striking combination of black and bronze, with the exact color designation often given as "Black / Bronze Pearl." Beneath that aesthetic shell sits a technical construction designed to bridge the gap between pure snowplow balls for heavy oil and quicker pearl variants. At the center of the ball works the proven Predator V2 core, an asymmetric centerpiece already known for its performance in earlier models of the Jackal series. At 15 lbs, this core shows a very low RG of 2.47, which should get the ball into rotation quickly. That is complemented by a high differential of .054 and a significant intermediate differential of .015. Technically, these numbers point to immense track flare potential. The surface is the Infusion HV 2.0 Hybrid Reactive coverstock. This is a further development of the materials already used on the Jackal Flash, though chemically modified for more adhesion. The factory finish is listed as 5000 grit LSS (Laser Scan Sanded). This surface preparation is particularly noteworthy, since it is finer than on typical heavy oil balls, yet still carries more texture than a pure polish. The aim of this specification is to generate enough traction in the oil without burning up energy too early in the heads.
Comparison
To place the Mythic Jackal's performance characteristics precisely, a direct comparison with other balls from Motiv is unavoidable. In direct contrast to the Jackal Legacy from Motiv, which features an aggressive solid surface, the Mythic Jackal should travel noticeably cleaner through the heads. While the Legacy tends to read the lane early and produce a very round, almost arcing motion, the Mythic Jackal is designed to respond to friction later. Compared to the legendary Jackal Ghost from Motiv, often considered a benchmark for heavy oil, the Mythic should show a quicker response time at the breakpoint. Here the hybrid coverstock provides a more defined change of direction than the smoother transitions of the Ghost. Looking at the market leader in the asymmetric hybrid segment of that era, one could technically place the Mythic Jackal near the RST X-2 from Roto Grip, though the Motiv ball, thanks to the Predator V2 core, should tend to favor an even earlier revving up of the core (low RG). The Mythic Jackal thus positions itself as the logical step down when a pure solid ball like the Jackal Legacy loses energy too early or seems "dead," but a pure pearl ball would still be too sensitive to excess oil. It combines the core strength of a heavy oil ball with a surface that allows angle.
On the Lanes
The primary use case for the Mythic Jackal is on lanes with medium to high oil volume. Because of the strong asymmetric core, the ball absolutely needs sufficient oil in the front part of the lane (the heads) so it does not lose energy too early. If you throw the ball fast, this piece should be a valuable asset, since the strong core and the tacky hybrid cover should help slow the ball down in time to generate the necessary hook. Conversely, if you have a lot of rotation, you can benefit from the 5000 grit LSS surface, as it helps push the ball far enough down the lane before the aggressive backend reaction sets in. During transition, when the oil profile changes through play and the heads start to break down, the Mythic Jackal can fully play to its strengths. It lets you play deeper angles and cross more boards without having to fear that the ball will slide in the oil or arrive at the breakpoint without enough energy for carry into the pocket. The hybrid cover is designed to find a balance: it should extend the skid over the oil, but once the ball hits friction, convert that into an explosive move toward the pin deck. In summary, the Mythic Jackal is conceived as a "first ball out of the bag" for league play on fresh oil, or as a strong follow-up to a solid ball in tournaments.