Ball NPS Score: 75.00
High Performance
- Color: Violet/Crimson/Sapphire All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Coverstock: R3X Solid Reactive
- Weight Block: Origin
- Ball Finish: 4000-grit Abralon
- Flare Potential: 6” Plus (High)
- Fragrance: Mulberry
- RG: 16#-2.49, 15#-2.48, 14#-2.52
- RG Differential: 16#-.054, 15#-.057, 14#-.045
- Recommended Lane Condition: Heavy Oil
- Description: The Invasion features the next generation of advancement in core and coverstock technology. Our first goal was to develop a strong asymmetrical design different than any other. The concept was to create contours along the RG planes to ensure a stronger preferred spin axis. We did this by developing intersecting contoured bands from the X-axis along the Y and Z axes. These bands are developed at specific arcs to maximize RG and differential values along the planes. In turn, this translates into a quicker revving core with a more defined moment of inertia or breakpoint unlike any prior design found on the market.
The all new Origin core boasts a 2.48 RG value with .057 total differential and a .017 intermediate differential. Using C.A.T.S., we tested the Origin core up against the Shape Lock-HD core with same coverstock to see the differences, and we were amazed by the results. The Origin™ core started into the “hook” phase about 3 feet sooner and created a stronger entry angle to the pocket. Usually when we get the ball started into the “hook” phase sooner we see less entry angle to the pocket, but this core with the contoured bands along the RG planes definitely showed us something different.
The finishing touch to the Invasion is the R3X coverstock. This third generation of Reactor series coverstock has the highest Ra values ever produced by Storm products. Based on the USBC Ball Motion Study we know that higher Ra values produce more ball motion in the oil, and this coverstock is no exception. We saw a 9% increase in friction values in the oil and an increase of 5% down the lane over its predecessor R2X utilizing C.A.T.S. testing.

I haven't posted a review of a ball in a long time.  In the past 12 months I have purchased the Bounty Hunter, Seige, Mutant Cell, Break Point, Break Point Pearl, Solaris Requiem,   Solaris, Epicenter , Virtual Gravity, Chalk, Bedlam, 920 A, TX1, GT1, and a few others.  Let me tell you that none of them stack up to this ball.  I drilled this one 4x4 with a hole on my pap and the pin above and to the tight of my ring finger.  The ball is unforgiving if I tug it inside, it will smack the 2 pin in the face.  It is 8 boards stronger than the Mutant Cell with the same drill.  If your center does not lay out a good amount of  oil then do not buy this ball- period.  This is the one that makes strokers look like tweeners, tweeners look like crankers, and crankers look like gods.

Storm Invasion and Reign of Fire reviews
First, the facts...

The Invasion was drilled 5 x 4 x 3 (5 inches pin to pap, 4 inches PSA to pap, 3 inch pin buffer). The pin is about .6 inches above the bridge. For me, a moderate to weaker drilling. The Reign of Fire was drilled 35 x 50 with a 4 inch pin (dual angle layout). The pin is about .5 inches above/left of the ring finger. For me, a stronger drilling.

Both balls were initially thrown on worn wood lanes, on a slightly broken down house shot and on a fresh Long and Winding Road Kegel sport shot. Both balls were used with box finish on the covers.

Both balls did pretty much as I expected on the house shot. The Invasion was a little cleaner through the heads than I expected though I was about 4 boards right of where I typically play in this center (27-28 board). The new R3X coverstock didn't disappoint as it really jumped off the dry boards aggressively and made a hard, angular move to the pocket. This is the best hook/set reaction I have ever seen from a Storm ball. To clarify, I don't mean the ball "rolled out" as some like to say, it still had a great, continuous roll into the 1-2 pocket. When I moved a few boards farther right to really get into the heavy oil in the middle of the lane, the ball still responded extremely well, not as angular, but still more aggressive than what I've seen before. Even the Virtual Gravity didn't handle the fallback this well. On the sport shot, the Invasion also performed better than expectations. I moved about 15 boards left from the house shot and just piped the ball up the 7 board. There was plenty of out of bounds as you would expect from a 2-1 ratio pattern but the Invasion still made a great move off the breakpoint and carried extremely well, especially on light hits. If I missed left, the 4000 grit cover had a hard time recovering but that was to be expected. (teaser alert: the Reign of Fire handled this problem well)

On the house shot, the Reign of Fire was a little too strong with its 1000 grit factory finish. I had to get so far right, I had a hard time getting the flat corners out since with my more limited axis rotation, I couldn't get the ball to corner quite enough. I think taking the cover up to 2000 or so with a light compound/polish might solve that. With the box finish, the ROF needs fresh, heavy head oil. Where this ball truly excelled was on the sport shot. I played it about 4 boards right of where I did with the Invasion and played up 11-12 board. WOW!!! This ball read in the midlane like a champ, made a great angular move off the breakpoint and took all 10 pins straight into the pit. Even better, when I opened up my shoulders and tried to miss two, three, even four boards left, the shell bailed me out and sent the ball in the direction of the pocket. For those bowling PBA leagues or looking forward to USBC nationals this year, this is a ball to add to your arsenal. It's always a plus to be able to open up the lane when the shot is that tight.

In conclusion, both of these balls represent improvement over previous releases. Simply put, think of the Invasion along the lines of the Virtual Gravity with a stronger cover and the Reign of Fire as a T-Road Solid with a stronger weight block.

Good luck to all, and thank you to Storm for two great new pieces.

Kurt Gengelbach
Storm PBA Regional Staff
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Change is inevitible...Resistance is futile
Storm clouds are on the horizon.

www.fastrackproshop.com

I just drilled up my Invasion and all I can say is this ball is SICK!!!I mean this ball is about an arrow stronger then my Mutant which I thought was the strongest ball I had ever thrown. I talked with  Hank and we went with a 4x21/2x3/12 with a hole near my axis just inside my VAL same layout as my  Mutant  for longer and slicker patterns, the response time off the friction was alot sooner than the Mutant and it kicked alot harder on the back. I  spent the next hour just saying WOW over and over again, this ball is amazing and it can make even the straighter players{Be nice} around hook the ball and create a  entry angle to the pocket that is sure to strike.The coverstock is very easyly adjusted which allows the ball to play on a varity of patterns but this ball is best suited for heavy to medium conditions. My hats off to Storm for this gem  and I  look forward to the next one.

Ps  One closing thought, To those who still may not believe just remember the last 3 balls of the year T-road Solid, Cell, Virtual Energy all where made by STORM how impressive is that? Good Luck and bowl up a Storm, let the Invasion begin
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Eric Forkel
5x PBA Champion
Storm Products Staff

I drilled my Invasion pin in ring (5 1/4), MB strong (half way between VAL and ball track). I did not touch the cover at all, as I was very interested in seeing how this ball rolled compared to my pin over ring VG, MB in thumb, and my pin over ring/strong Dimension, all three at 4000 abralon.
The new Origin core picked up on the lane at about the same time as the VG does. The biggest difference, is how much stronger it is in the backend! For my game, I use VG's to blend fresh patterns, as the cover and core combination tends to be a little smoother for me, and I then go to the Dimension, when I need more in the backend. The Invasion is like a combination of both of these balls. It picks up on the lane earlier than the Dimension (like the VG), but rolls very strong off the spot (like the Dimension) for a very impressive move to the pocket.

I have used this ball on a few different conditions. Bowling on DBA lane surface, house condition at 39 feet, this ball was a monster!! I needed to back my hand out of the ball, and let the core and cover do all of the work. The reaction was fun to watch, but very hard to control.
I used it again the next week, on the same pattern, but was able to keep my hand soft more consistently, and really liked the reaction of the ball. What I found was, I didn't have to move my feet as the lane went through transition. I was also testing my Reign of Fire(Rof) (I will post a review of that ball as well), and really noticed how much stronger the RoF was in the front part of the lane, and in the backend(box surface w/coat of Xtra shine), compared to the Invasion. The RoF was just stronger throughout the entire lane, until the backend started to tighten up a bit. I had to cut practice short, as I needed to work the shop in the afternoon. I went back to practice after closing the shop, and rolled a few more games. There was A LOT of bowling on the pair that I used (house balls galore). I started with the RoF and the lane hooked up front, and the backends were tight. The ball was lazy down lane, and I left a lot of seven pins, as well as a few 9 pins. I then decided to try the Invasion again, and I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT, I was able to stand at the exact same place I was standing in the morning. The other balls that I took with me, all needed to play different parts of the lane, or I had to change my release to get them to the pocket and carry, but the Invasion still rolled strong through all that carrydown. The only difference was, if I missed around the ball at the bottom, it still held pocket, when in the morning it would have crossed over. I couldn't believe that a ball this strong, was able to roll through an entire day of lane transition the way it did.

The next night, I bowled on Scorpion pattern in my PBAX league, on pro-anvilane. I had just got done bowling a tournament on very dry conditions, so I was rolling the ball really firm. I had a good look in practice with it, but started leaving 7 pins once we started to bowl. I decided to put it down, and go with a strong pin under ring Dimension, with a lot of surface, and X-hole down low. I really feel, if I was rolling the ball the way I normally do, this would have been the perfect piece for the night (I had to go practice at lunch today, to get myself back in check!!).

In closing, the Invasion will be in my bag any time I go to a tournament, or to bowl on the longer PBA patterns for league. Although very strong, the new R3X cover seems to be able to handle transition very well, and the core seems to take some of the inconsistences of lane to lane play out of the equation. Go see your local certified pro shop and ask them to help you start an Invasion!



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Tommy Gollick
Storm Regional/Pro Shop staff
Red Crown Pro Shop Harrisburg, PA
stormbowling.com

Needed mid lane and heavy roll . Drilled the pin out in my ring finger , mb kicked out 2 inches . Drilled ring deep to eliminate an extra hole . Wow ball is fantastic !! More mid lane roll than anything I have thrown in years. Ball never stops hooking ! Storm now has a super oil ball . Amazing !! Jim Kedroski No Taps Pro Shop .

Hello everybody, I am new and hailing from the "unofficial" bowling capital of the world in Metro Detroit. Its nice to finally be a member of the finest bowling ball review site on the net at last!!!
After buying everybodies used balls I finally decided to purchase my first brand new ball in three years, I decided on purchasing the new Storm Invasion.  After discussing with my proshop guy on how to drill it, we went with a pin above the bridge stacked leverage drilling with the MB 2" left of my thumb (I am a lefty).  WOw! Unbelievable!  This ball without a doubt is the biggest hooking ball I have ever had to date.  Threw it 2 games right out of the box and realized that a needed to put some shine on this lil sucker.  Stuck it in the polisher for about 2 minutes and shot league at 300 Bowl in Waterford on the Tuesday Night Shootout League. Had a bit of a carry issue the first game left about 7 stone 7pins for a 186.  Was plying 3rd arrow out to about the 5board at my breakpoint.  Moved 2 boards right with my feet to not hit so "heavy" in the pocket and this lil gem came alive.  The ball just flat out throws the pins around!  went 236 229 for a 651 to end the night.  Might have been a little better had I not pulled a few shots but overall I am very happy with the Invasion.  Cant wait to throw it a few more times to get used the ball (still think I have to mess around with the surface a little more) and see how it really comes alive.  This is the weakest layout I have ever had on a ball but it is the most aggressive ball I have ever thrown!  Hate to see how much it would have hooked had I Drilled it up a little stronger.  Hope to post more on this wonderful new ball from Storm.  Thanks

Got this ball a week ago and used it on my saturday league and this ball hooks!! At first was kind of disappointed with the carry. Shot a 687 with games of 214,249 and 224. The first game left 3 ten pins and one 7 pin. The third game should have shot 300 but the ten pin got me three times and on the bad side I missed the ten pin twice that game. Overall I like this ball, but its only been one week.

16lb ball.
stroker.
medium rev rate.