Storm Virtual Energy Blackout Bowling Ball

This ball has been a pleasant surprise. I haven’t typically gotten along with shiny asymmetrical balls, in this case the reaction isn’t as violent as others. I find myself being able to move a little right and getting it down lane further storing all its power for the back end. I haven’t had a look like this in my bag for quite some time and I am finding it hard to put down.

The Storm Virtual Energy Blackout features a very strong Shape-Lock HD Core, which certainly has a lot of flare potential. The ReX coverstock creates a very solid front-to-back- ball reaction. I do believe this Virtual Energy Blackout creates a bowling ball motion that not many other SPI balls do. Core numbers and the type of coverstock leads to believe that the Virtual Energy Blackout could be an alternative to the Dark Code, so I drilled my Virtual Energy Blackout with the same pin-down layout: 55 x 5 x 75. The Virtual Energy Blackout requires friction to be most effective. I do like the smooth and round ball motion that this bowling ball can create. I do find the Virtual Energy Blackout to be slightly less responsive to the friction than my Dark Code. In my opinion, the Virtual Energy Blackout is best when bowling on medium length oil patterns where the launch angles need to be a little more open. I think players that bowl on center with high friction lane panels can truly take advantage of this coverstock. This bowling ball can be a good connection between the dull/strong asymmetrical and cleaner/weaker symmetrical bowling balls. I am looking forward to using the Virtual Energy Blackout in the upcoming tournaments.

VEBO Cover: ReX Pearl Reactive Core: Shape-Lock HD RG: 2.48 RG Diff: 0.052 Int Diff: 0.020 My layout: 5 x 4.5 x 3.5 The VEBO is a Pearl Asymmetrical ball that I see working best on medium to med-dry conditions. The pearl ReX cover on the VEBO is surprisingly clean. It does a great job of getting through early friction without getting off line too quickly. The low rg asymm core compliments the clean cover very well. Because of the length of the cover, the fast revving core translates to a medium to medium-quick response motion down lane. I have found that the VEBO is best when the lanes transition past big solid balls like the Absolute Power or Phase 2. It allows me to get more shape without overshooting the break point down lane. Bowler stats: Left handed PAP: 5 x 1/4up Rev rate: 400

My Virtual Energy Blackout sports my favorite 4.25x2.5x4 layout. I’ve had the same or similar layout on the Code Black and Dark Code. Mixing the Shape-Lock core with the R2X cover is the next logical step in a highly successful line of equipment. I feel like from the Code Black to the Virtual Energy Blackout, each ball has been cleaner through the heads and stronger on the backend. I’ve thrown this ball in a few different houses on different patterns ranging from house to challenge conditions. The most consistent characteristic from pattern to patterns is the reliability on the ball making it down the lane to the spot. For that reason, the Virtual Energy Blackout has become the ball I get a read of the pattern with even if it’s not the ball I end up competing with. A smart choice for anyone to make this a top 3 in their arsenal. Brian Sumner Storm Amateur Staff Gold Crown Lanes - St. Johnsbury, Vermont

I was a bit late to the VEBO train, but shortly after I hopped on it I learned why it is the most loved at my home alley the last few months since it's release. It is the smoothest ball I've ever thrown and is responsible for my first 300 since I've come back to the sport. Only took a week to get familiar with it's angular motion but it's so smooth through the front's that the forgiveness is unmatched whether on a house or sport shot it will always be in my bag. Highly recommend to bowlers of all types, high rev, low rev, doesn't matter, the core and coverstock combo is elite.

Core - Shape-Lock HD Coverstock - ReX Pearl Reactive RG - 2.48 Differential - 052 Intermediate Diff - .017 Finish - Reacta Gloss Layout - 4 ¼x 4 x 3 First off let me say that the ReX Pearl coverstock has been one of the favorites released in quite some time. Once I saw that it was being paired with a core from one of favorite balls of all time (Virtual Gravity), I knew it would be good. The VG Blackout it such a strong, sharp ball and goes through the pins so well. This ball is one of the strongest pearl balls, I have ever thrown, and be thrown on multiple patterns. When the lanes start to break down, and you need to start moving left is really when this ball shines. This is my favorite ball to use when I have to get inside and loop it, because is it so strong off the friction but also will pick up in the middle of the lane still. This ball has become a staple in my bag and has lived up to the Virtual Energy name well.

Layout: 45 x 4 ½ x 35 From the previous releases that the NEX coverstock was featured on, it has shown itself to have a massive amount of traction, and that is no different on the Virtual Energy Blackout (Vebo). Even with the out-of-box shine, the Vebo has a smooth reaction that can handle a good bit of oil. I have seen this ball have a slightly flippier reaction for others, but for myself it is strictly smooth arcing. It is best at home on medium-heavy to medium oil conditions. The Vebo fits perfectly between the stronger sanded balls such as the Summit or Absolute Power, and the weaker symmetric-cored balls such as a Journey or TNT Infused.

Bowler Stats: Speed: 15.5 MPH Rev Rate: 275 RPM Tilt: 3-5 degrees Axis Rotation: 60 degrees PAP: 5 ⅜ over 1 ¼ up Layout: 5 X 51/4 X 23/4 VLS Video Review: https://youtu.be/whrHpeXjuWc With the Storm Infinite Physix being one of my favorite balls and it being discontinued I was excited about the release of the Virtual Energy Blackout since it was using the REX Pearl coverstock. The core in the Virtual Energy is slightly stronger than the core featured in the Physix line so I decided to drill it to a little weaker than Infinite Physix. The Infinite Physix is clean but smoother off the dry for me than the Virtual Energy. The Blackout is noticeably a few feet longer and quicker off the dry than the Infinite Physix. I am not a fan of the Reacta Gloss polish with my lower rev rate so I changed the surface to 2000 abralon. I use 1000 on the Infinite Physix and having the added length on the Virtual Energy I didn’t want the two to be the same. I’m able to use the Infinite when the patterns are fresher and then as they change I can use the Virtual Energy and not have to ball down. If you liked the Infinite Physix the Virtual Energy Blackout is a good replacement for the Infinite in your arsenal. Pete Dohan Storm Bowling Amateur Staff #StormNation

I love bowling balls that allow me to stay in them from fresh to transition to burn and the Storm Virtual Energy Blackout (VEBO) is exactly that!! This ball is without a doubt one of the most versatile bowling balls I have ever seen. Out of the box this elegant, glossy looking beauty provides the predictable sharp motion that you expect from an asymmetrical ball with a Reacta Gloss finish, but it went through the pins even better than expected. When I took a little of the gloss off with a used 2000 abralon pad, it gave me a little earlier reaction with that same strong finish. The best part was I could now play multiple angles with the same ball and continue to strike. To me, the VEBO has the characteristics of a hybrid with the new REX coverstock but stores a lot of energy down lane like an asymmetrical pearl…giving the best of both worlds. I drilled this ball at 45 x 4.5 x 40, a very typical layout but this ball is ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL! Medium or heavy oil, the VEBO will not disappoint and will become a benchmark ball in your arsenal. It is a must for any bowler and especially for those that like to strike A LOT!! Dana Ausec – Storm Amateur Staff Member; Senior Team USA Member #StormNation

Black Out……Pearl Asymmetrical…yes I like.. The Shapelock core is back and ooh yeah wrapped in the rex pearl coverstock. How can this be bad. Drilled mine with the go to 5x4x4..This ball is clean in the fronts reads the midlane well not aggressive and for me is pretty continuous and smooth in the back end. This ball has been great in league for me. Easy to migrate left with the break down and still carry as the ball retains so much energy for downlane