I have just got back into bowling after a 13 year layoff.  I bowl in a Tuesday night Men's sanctioned mens league (220/90% handicap) that uses a 41 ft Kegel Main St style pattern.  I find the Marauder to be incredible for late 2nd going into 3rd game, but downright awful for the fresh shot; just squirts, and have I have to slow WAY down to get any kind of reaction.  There is a great deal on the Hell Raiser Terror for $99, but I don't know if this ball would work well as the first ball out of the bag or not.  If not, would the Marauder Madness or Hell Raiser Revenge be better choices?  I don't bowl tournaments or multiple centers so that's really not a concern.  I do live in SW Florida, and the lanes tend to err on the drier side due to the humidity. 

The pro shop guy at the center is all Storm, and is trying to sell me the Reign of Power, but I love DV8.   

I throw between 15-16 mph and have average revs (275 to 300). 

Marauder Madness would be a great addition.

Yes, I pretty much have to play up the boards with the Marauder on the fresh.  It's not impossible, but I suffer from carry issues.  When I can swing the ball a little in the later games I do much better.  I am just wondering, maybe incorrectly, if the Hell Raiser Terror can do that for me in the 1st game on the fresh. 

I agree that the Marauder Madness is probably the better overall ball for me, and being symmetrical helps ease drilling issues.  It's just a such a good price that I might just roll the dice, and see what happens.  I can always pick up a solid later on.   

I am still hoping to get a Marauder Madness, but my purchase of the Brunswick Nexxxus last week at a super low price at Buddies I couldn't say "no" to has delayed a bit of getting the Madness.

I have just got back into bowling after a 13 year layoff.  I bowl in a Tuesday night Men's sanctioned mens league (220/90% handicap) that uses a 41 ft Kegel Main St style pattern.  I find the Marauder to be incredible for late 2nd going into 3rd game, but downright awful for the fresh shot; just squirts, and have I have to slow WAY down to get any kind of reaction.  There is a great deal on the Hell Raiser Terror for $99, but I don't know if this ball would work well as the first ball out of the bag or not.  If not, would the Marauder Madness or Hell Raiser Revenge be better choices?  I don't bowl tournaments or multiple centers so that's really not a concern.  I do live in SW Florida, and the lanes tend to err on the drier side due to the humidity. 

The pro shop guy at the center is all Storm, and is trying to sell me the Reign of Power, but I love DV8.   

I throw between 15-16 mph and have average revs (275 to 300). 

My DV8 Marauder is the same...way too long and inconsistent on a fresh shot.  I hit mine with 2000 Abralon, but haven't had a chance to throw it yet with the new surface.  Going to throw it in practice tomorrow and see what happens.  If that doesn't work, I am going to try 500 Abralon followed by a little Brunswick Factory Finish polish.  There has to be a way to get a reliable, consistent reaction out of the Marauder!

If you bring it to 500 and the factory polis doesn't do it, try rough buff.

Thanks!  Threw four games with my Marauder this morning with the 2000 Abralon finish.  It was like a totally different ball...absolutely amazing.  Love the reaction of it now.  Hits now like nothing I have thrown before.  It is astonishing what a simple surface change can do for a ball.