- New Breed Solid

First Impressions
The Visionary New Breed Solid comes in a striking color combination of a cream base with red and green swirls. Technically, this is a high-performance bowling ball designed for demanding conditions. At the heart of the ball works the so-called Serpentine core. This mildly asymmetric core design features a dense center, a special cap and a lighter outer shell. In addition, a wedge-shaped element on the side of the core creates a moderate mass bias, which allows precise fine-tuning of the ball reaction. The hard specs on a 15-pound ball show a medium RG of 2.560 and a relatively high differential of 0.052. This complex core is wrapped in the Drakonian Solid coverstock. To ensure the necessary traction, the surface comes out of the box with a 1000-grit Abralon finish. This combination of the three-color, rough cover and the dynamic asymmetric core should keep the ball readable while developing a strong, aggressive reaction on the lane. The construction is laid out so that the ball gets into a roll early and plays to its strengths especially in the back part of the midlane, before the distinctive core cap produces a defined change of direction.
Comparison In a comparative look, the Visionary New Breed Solid shows a very specific motion profile that sets it apart from other balls. Using the Storm T-Road Solid as a direct reference, which also has a dull solid cover and a similar RG level, subtle but important differences stand out. While the Storm T-Road Solid delivers a very even, predictable arc across the entire oil pattern thanks to its symmetric core, the mildly asymmetric Serpentine core in the Visionary model produces a noticeably more pronounced change of direction at the breakpoint. Because of its core construction, the ball stores a bit more energy for the backend. Compared to the in-house Visionary Gladiator Solid, which is known for a smoother and flatter reaction, the New Breed Solid gets through the heads considerably cleaner. Once it reaches the midlane it starts to roll up more strongly, and the asymmetric cap creates a much sharper break than the Gladiator. When the lane moves into transition over the course of the game and the oil pattern breaks down, the aggressive Drakonian cover of the New Breed Solid reacts somewhat more sensitively to the developing friction than purely symmetric benchmark balls. Even so, the mildly asymmetric design gives it an excellent balance of early control and powerful backend reaction.
On the Lanes Given its technical makeup, the Visionary New Breed Solid is primarily built for medium to heavier oil volumes. The dull 1000 Abralon cover should let the ball hold securely in the oil without losing its ability to attack on the backend. That makes it an excellent tool for player types who bowl on wet house shots or sport patterns, where a clean skid phase through the heads is needed along with a trustworthy hook later down the lane. The mildly asymmetric core design helps tie wet and dry zones on the lane together nicely, which is a huge advantage especially on forgiving house patterns. If you like to play the ball across a lot of boards and send it well outside, you'll benefit from the strong recovery at the breakpoint generated by the special core cap. At the same time, the early roll in the midlane provides excellent carry, since the ball enters the pocket at an optimal entry angle. As the lane dries up, or on lanes with a lot of friction from the start, the rough surface can cause the ball to lose energy too early. In those cases, adjusting the surface with a light polish to increase length is advisable, or a switch to a weaker alternative. All in all, this ball is a strong option for bowlers looking for traction in oil without giving up a distinct backend hook.