The Pathogen Has A Sickness…

First Impressions
The Pyramid Pathogen was stronger than I thought it would be with a delayed strong motion and surprisingly strong drive through the pins

Our Testers:
Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Slightly Rev Dominant Tweener
RPM: 390 rpm
PAP: 5 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.0 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds

Thanks to Greg Bickta and Perfect Aim Pro Shop for drilling our equipment.
Thanks to Hiester Lanes in Reading, PA for providing the test lanes.

“Keep in mind that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core creates the dynamic shape of the reaction. Your driller will alter the shape to suit your game.”

Test Pattern:
42ft THS, 24ml
Synthetic Heads, Wood backends

Value
8.5/10
The Pyramid Pathogen offers a strong value proposition due to the low cost. The ball offers very good performance to boot.

Specs
The Blueprint Project 1.618 uses the New Era 139 Symmetric weight block along with a solid GPS Navigational coverstock. Cover is finished with a 500-grit and then compound polish. For a 15lb ball, it has an RG of 2.55, diff of .032.

Overall
8/10
The Pyramid Pathogen uses the same coverstock as the benchmark Blueprint. The delta here is the core. This core has a higher RG and lower differential, giving it a slightly different shape. Both balls are in the “benchmark” space and we wanted to differentiate them a little bit so gave the Pathogen a pin up layout as compared to the pin over layout on the Blueprint. Ultimately what we saw was a similar motion with some distinct differences. The Pathogen was about a foot longer with a more flippy backend reaction. Both balls went through the pins very strong. In fact, the 8 pin went down late several times due to the drive the ball had through the pins.
These characteristics make the Blueprint and Pathogen great compliments. While the both can be used to start on the right condition, the Blueprint rolls more like the “true” benchmark whereas the Pathogen will appeal to those who want to see a more flippy motion. This core lopes a little longer and has less flare potential which gives it that look.
In the test condition, it was easy to throw the Pathogen on the fresh medium house shot. I just had to trust it away from the pocket. Misses outside were more forgiving than in. That’s because it creates strong angle which allows it to carry from further outside. By the same token, misses in were tougher because of that same characteristic.
In the second house, I saw a similar motion. However, with a bigger wall of oil, misses inside were just less apt to carry. It wants to see some friction.

Final Thoughts
As I said with the Blueprint, I was hopeful when we picked up the Pathogen for our review. Overall, we were very pleased by what we saw. The Pathogen ball reaction is strong down lane but doesn’t surprise you with anything strange. It is a solid coverstock which still offers a consistent read. Oh, and that green…what can I say. I love it!