I probably would choose, for a two ball arsenal, an Element and a Vendetta. I think I can cover more conditions. If I were going to replace one of the two, it would be the Vendetta with the Thing Returns, but I would keep the TR polished. The reason I would tend to a Vendetta on performance is that I think it is useable over a wider range of conditions than is the Thing Returns -- mainly that with a shot of polish, it can handle drier conditions. The Thing Returns is a surprisingly aggressive pearl -- in strength it reminds me of Track's Hex, but it is a little longer and stronger to my hand. The disadvantage to the Vendetta is that it is a standard reactive coverstock, meaning that it will "die" over time. Now the good news: the Vendetta is one of the few balls I have tried that is actually brought mostly back to life with a combination resurface and use of "Hook Again".
As to drills, I would lean toward a 4x5 for the Element and either 4.5x4.5 or 4x5 for the Vendetta. My Thing Returns is drilled 3.75x5 and it is absolutely perfect. The reason for these drillings are that they tend toward enough length to allow the balls (for mediumish guys like us) to use them across a wider range of conditions, yet have enough flare to let them get around the corner without being uncontrollable.
The problem with the Anomoly, if early returns are accurate, is that it hooks too darn much to be very useful over a range of conditions -- which is what you are looking for in this arsenal.
Now as to the same ball with multiple drillings. I'm not a particular fan of two of the same balls with multiple drillings for most of us who do not do this for a living. I think that most balls have tendencies which should be catered to, by and large -- that is, strong balls should not be drilled weak and that weak balls should not be drilled strong, for the most part. Frankly, tho there are times when I keep two balls with different drillings (for differences within a house) it is generally easier to tweak the coverstock. Further, I would generally prefer to find the drill that generally gives me the best reaction with each ball on the most conditions and let other balls fill in gaps.
For your information, my tournament arsenal is: Element, Thing Returns, Thing, Vendetta, Barrage. I plan to add an Anomoly at the top end in January (tapped out after Christmas you know). But this type of arsenal has some overlap and is designed to give me complete coverage over the conditions I am likely to encounter.
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"I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them on long winter evenings."
Edited on 12/19/2003 2:18 PM
