Of the Elite balls I've thrown so far, this ball is the Bomb!
I drilled it 4x4 with a hole 1' past my axis.
It clears the heads pretty easily and catches in the midlane like nothing I've seen.
Not only does it react great....it is a great looking ball. I've had people tell me it reminds them of the old soakers (shore-D-pros).
It is supposed to be the pattern ball for when they are a little tougher, but it reacts wonderful on our league conditions.
From my understanding the Alien is the same core/cover combo only stronger!
Jeff