First Impressions
The Fatal Venom looks good and made a great first impression. Is it too early to say this will make my bag?

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Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 350 rpm
PAP: 5 1/8 & 3/4 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 45 x 4.75 x 45

“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.”

Pattern
THS: 40 ft Med THS

Specs
The Motiv Fatal Venom Bowling Ball uses the Gear™ Core (symmetrical) inside the Infusion™ Pearl Reactive coverstock.

15 pound = RG of 2.48, diff of .034
14 pound = RG of 2.52, diff of .029
Coverstock finish: 5500 Grit LSP

Category
The Fatal Venom fits in the Mid Control to Mid Late category.

Overall
We get another installment in the Venom line. I don’t think Motiv will ever have a lineup without something with the Venom label on it. This time, they release the Gear core wrapped in the Infusion pearl we raved about on the Supra. I fit the Supra in the Mid Late category and that puts the Fatal Venom in the Mid Control slot. Straight out of the gate, I can see how versatile this ball is. When you’re trying to warm up and get lined up and everything strikes, you get to know a ball. It’s easy to show all strikes, it’s another thing when every ball you throw strikes. The more important thing is seeing how the ball responds to different angles, breakpoints, speeds, etc. I usually test out balls pretty direct and work through all of that. It looked great from direct, responding just right to friction. As I kept moving in and adjusting angles, it just kept working. There was a point where I felt it had a limit of course but then when I was editing video, I realized I was actually deeper than I thought. It worked quite well from 10-16 at the arrows without doing anything bizarre. It just worked. That instantly made me feel like this is exactly the type of ball I’d want as my benchmark. Very controllable and understandable. No surprises, no jumpiness, no weird underreaction. Just blended very well. This feels like it could be a superstar, kind of like the GT1 was and that’s high praise.

I tested a bit with the 2-hand style and I really liked the motion there as well. Granted I have the same speed 1-hand as 2-hand with about 100 more RPM which naturally means I will be deeper. Here, between 4th and 5th arrow was the sweet spot but it was clean enough to get down lane and respond strongly but smoothly. I just liked the shape so much I wanted to keep throwing it.

Sport Shot
TBD

Final Thoughts
We’ve used the term house shot killer before and while I do think the Motiv Fatal Venom will be that for many bowlers, I think it would do it a disservice to assume that means it won’t work for sport shots as well. This is an area where I feel confident in that smooth but strong control move will be effective on sport shots as well. This ball is going to be a hit for Motiv no doubt, and for good reason.