First Impressions
Finally a pearl version that really compliments the Phaze II in a way no previous attempt has.
Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 330 rpm
PAP: 5 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5 x 45
Bryan Hoffman (Righty)
Style: Stroker
RPM: 280 rpm
PAP: 4 1/2 & 1 1/2 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: high
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5 x 45
Tyler Church (Righty)
Style: Power Player
RPM: 425 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/2 up
Average Speed: 19 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: med
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5 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: 40ft, 23ml
Sport: TBD
Specs
The Storm Phaze AI uses the Velocity AI symmetric core inside the TX-16 Pearl Reactive coverstock.
15 pound = RG of 2.47 diff of .053
14 pound = RG of 2.52, diff of .052
Coverstock finish: Power Edge finish
Tweener’s Take
I spilled the beans, I think the Phaze AI is the best compliment to the Phaze II Storm has produced to date. Not that others haven’t served a purpose but there is a closer relationship here. Whether that makes it the best choice or not really depends on the condition at hand. You have the original TX-16 formula but now some pearl added. That changes the dynamics a bit but you still get the recognizable heavy forward roll from the Velocity core. I’ve always felt that, especially when new, the Phaze II had a very dynamic almost asymmetric like behavior. Everyone by now knows it calms down into a strong benchmark that is extremely versatile. The AI now offers a different take where if you still wanted the dynamic early roll of the Velocity core but just needed a bit cleaner but sharper reaction, you have the AI. Just like I teased with the Phaze II, I’d almost consider the Phaze AI a Mid Defined since it has a bit more defined shape than the typical symmetric core. Whenever a core likes to right itself strongly, I tend to call that “defined”. As compared to say the Phaze V with the R2S as that was Mid Late. A step down in volume management but the later and snappier response.
Power Player’s Persective
Here’s a look for Tyler and the Phaze AI looks quite good. Same characteristics are obvious. It has a very strong and clear transition. I wouldn’t call it sharp like a snappy ball. The core turns over a little further downlane because of the cleaner finish which makes it look strong. Sometimes there is an efficiency of core to cover matchup that makes a ball look right. You can clearly see the heavy forward tumble through the pins. The colors allow you to visualize that. When the pattern is fresh, he has that 20-9 look and the ball just makes the turn with a strong again, what I call defined move due to the heavy rolling core. This latest house pattern breaks down in a strange way where you have to square up so you’ll see later when we do the comparisons, Tyler will be 5 boards right. It just feels like a very controllable and predictable but strong motion which bowlers will like. It’s a little tumbly for a lighter pattern so you’d want to ball down if you need a cleaner look to something Mid Late.
Stroker’s Stance
Finally Bryan tests the Phaze AI and the same characteristics Tyler and I saw are what he saw. From the more direct line, he was trying to give it the space it needed as it was starting soon and had a decisive second move going high. He kept moving in a bit until he found a nice spot around 14 to 10 to take advantage of the shape. Eventually the pattern broke down the same way it did for us and he squared up. He winds up somewhere around 8 through the fronts. Strange pattern behavior but no matter, we are still able to get a sense for what this ball does.
Sport Shot
Bryan and I got to test a bit on a sport shot, in this case it’s the 2024 37ft high volume Team Trials. That tumble and heavy roll makes it a viable option for me. I was going to say I don’t love using a shiny ball on tough patterns but regardless of what you use, you have to be extremely accurate on this pretty flat pattern, once you find the shot. I have to get a little deeper than normal since it’s pretty short but what makes it viable is the rolliness of it. Mid Late balls are very tough on this type of pattern. You don’t want a ball that is ultra responsive to friction. For Bryan, the deeper shot was tougher as he doesn’t quite get the same punch and move downlane as I do. However, he had a fantastic look direct. That 1st arrow play was pretty solid. It can be tricky if you look at the pattern sheet but it worked quite well for him.
Comparisons
Here are a few quick comparisons for context. You can see on the same line, the Phaze II is earlier and stronger. It’s going to look smoother naturally having more surface giving it a bit earlier read on the lane. All 3 of us had the same outcome as you would expect. Compared to the Summit Ascent they are quite different with the Ascent actually being a little later and snappier. That’s a characteristic of the R2S coming into play. Even though it’s a “solid”, it’s a bit cleaner with less teeth and more responsive chemistry to friction. So it’s less of that early roll shape, despite being a strong low RG core. I actually feel like the Summit Ascent is pretty underrated little star from Storm. Last we have the Ion Pro with the TX-16 Hybrid cover. This one feels in between the Phaze AI and Summit Ascent. Feels smooth like the Phaze but less ball downlane. Doesn’t feel as heavy rolling and hard downlane as the Phaze AI or as late and snappy as the Ascent.
Bottom Line
I’d slot the Phaze AI into the Mid Defined slot which competes a bit against the big shiny asyms. It really doesn’t slot in the clean and snappy part of the bag which would be mid late. Oh and I hadn’t mentioned but we left the cover alone. It now has the new Storm Power Edge finish OOB and it played a lot less over/under and sensitive than the Reactagloss which just didn’t really work for us. It has some tack and more consistent. I think I’m going to try to keeo this one around. Also reminded me how much I like the Summit Ascent.
Thanks for watching.