I will preface this by saying I generally like what Motiv has been doing in developing equipment and how they present information on their website  to be informative and helpful for the consumer.  And my son really likes their stuff.

But....

How is it that balls magically change their reaction simply to accommodate where they want to place a new ball?  Example: Several months ago, the Tank (rightfully so) was listed as "smooth motion" in the light oil row.  The Ascent Pearl was in the Angular motion column.  nowadays, since the Tank was discontinued, somehow the ascent pearl is now a smooth motion ball?  It jumps over Apex which held steady at "Moderate"? 

Similarly, the Tribal Fire was a Moderate ball and is now in the Angular motion column.  At least this one could be argued that, by comparison to the Panic and with the departure of the original Tribal, it is now angular.  But the light oil balls make no sense.   

It is a great table and helpful tool, but if they just shuffle things or place equipment into a block, simply because they have one open, then it erodes confidence when looking to make a choice.  Looking at the BTM review of the Rage, I don't they'd put in as high of a row (medium-heavy).

All companies do it for marketing...just follow rg/dif and coer strength to tell the story

All companies change their characterization of how a ball reacts? Sorry but I disagree.  Radical does not change their bar graph when a new ball comes out. I'd like to see an example of another company changing a description from a skid flip to an early rolling control piece just because it fits an open window.

Dv8 is notorious for it (hook shape and strength) Storm changes how many boards a ball covers

I stand corrected then. I suppose their argument is that it's all relative. I could see a shift in one column due to relativity, but leap frogging from far right to far left makes no sense.

I think I need to sing the theme song to mystery science theater 3000 to remind myself it really doesn't matter.

A new graph would have to be made e ery time a ball is released and discontinued. Too much work for their IT department I suppose so they just keep a skeleton graph and drop info instead of making different graphs

The Tank and Ascent Pearl were at the time the only balls in the line.  When you look at those two balls, one is smooth (Tank) and one is angular (Ascent).  Now, in comparison, the Ascent Pearl to the Apex or Tag, it isn't as angular.

Could be the chart was adjusted after the Apex came out and you caught it in transition.  I can't imagine there being a time when the pearl was to be considered more angular than the Apex.

Either way, I hope your son has success with whatever he uses, but I like seeing Motiv used.