Brunswick Aura Mystic
Bowler's Stats:
Right Handed
Speed: 18.5mph
Rev rate: 450rpm
Axis Tilt: 8*
Axis Rotation: 30* to 60*
Layout:
50* by 5.25" by 40*
Purpose: I wanted the Mystic to be my go-to ball when the Paranormal became too strong and too early. Something that would push downlane a bit more with still plenty of pop off the spot.
On the lanes: I've thrown the Mystic on 2 different house shots and 36' WTBA Los Angeles. The Mystic gave me a really clean look through the heads which can be attributed to the Optimal Versatility coverstock. The way the ball picks up on the back is exactly the same as the other Auras; something that I have loved seeing downlane ever since first throwing the original Aura. You can really tell how much work the Aura core is doing for you downlane and the Mystic is no different. On my home house shot (36', 18mL) the Aura glides downlane despite the lower volume. With most high-end balls on this condition, I have to "back off" on my release to get the ball far enough downlane. This is not the case with the Aura Mystic. I could comfortably play around 4th arrow out to about 7 on the fresh and just watch wood fly, even with really catching it at the bottom of my swing. On another house shot with more length and more volume, I could scoot a bit right and just hammer on it at the release point. This condition really showed me how much the ball can recover even with more volume downlane. On the fresh, a line of about 16 at the arrows out to 6 at the breakpoint resulted in a plethora of sick messengers for the 9s and 10s that were standing momentarily. On WTBA Los Angeles, I had the most fun with the Mystic. Due to the short pattern and friction near the gutter, my best look came from slinging the Mystic from 3rd arrow, out to the 1-2 board at 35-37', and watch it race back to the pocket. Heads were turning from the reaction this ball gave me. Only problem were the few 9 pins that somehow didn't get taken out!
One comment that I will make is that this ball is slightly more angular downlane at the actual breakpoint but it still maintains the similar read at the end of the pattern that the other Auras have given. When the Paranormal becomes too early, I can switch to the Mystic and see the same shape throughout the lane as what the Paranormal started with.
This layout is the same as those on my Original Aura and the Aura Paranormal. However, the Original Aura has a large hole on my axis to smooth it out for shorter patterns. Due to the hole, my Original Aura covers on average 3 less boards than the Mystic with the Mystic being MUCH more responsive at the breakpoint. For me, the Paranormal is a whole arrow stronger than the Mystic with the Paranormal obviously picking up more in the midlane.
I've found my best uses for the Mystic to be on fresh house shots to further exploit the miss room even more. All but extremely dry and extremely flooded house shots are no match for me and my Mystic. On tougher patterns, I've seen the Mystic used best after a couple games where you have a bit more friction to throw at to the right. With a bit of surface I could easily throw it more on fresh sport patterns but I have other balls (like the new Meanstreak Beatdown) that read fresh sport patterns better.
Summary: The Mystic is simply another exceptional ball from the Aura line. Every ball in the Aura line has been absolute money for me and I see no reason as to why the Mystic would be any different. Easy length, still the same read at the end of the pattern, and a booming backend. Like the other Auras, I can't imagine leaving home without it. I can't wait for the Mystic to make me as much money as the other two have! It's a great ball for medium to medium-heavy house shots that 99% of league bowlers should have in their bag.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
