The Wicked Siege joins both the Siege and Evil Siege in Brunswick’s Pro Performance category. This new ball uses a modified version of the MACE core combined with new version of the Propel cover. The core modification increased the RG and lowered the overall differential. The Propel X cover matched up with the MACE medium RG core allows the Wicked Siege to skid farther than the Siege, while picking up the lane sooner than the Evil Siege. We also found the strength at the breakpoint to be in between these two balls as well. The length and strength at the breakpoint will match up best with medium-oily patterns.

We found our best reactions on our medium test pattern. Cranker was the deepest of the three testers, giving this one plenty of room through the front part of the lane. Tweener was playing a small swing shot and Stroker played a more direct line to the pocket. We never found pin carry to be an issue with the Wicked Siege.

When we moved over to the oily test pattern, each tester was forced to play much closer to the track area. We were able to hit the pocket on this pattern as long as we kept the speed down, but the carry wasn’t the best. We added some surface to each test ball, which improved our reactions greatly. We hit all three test balls with a 1000 SiaAir pad which allowed the Wicked Siege to start up sooner, giving all three a stronger entry angle into the pins along with improved pin carry. Although this surface change gave us a better look on the oily test pattern, it made the Wicked Siege pretty much useless on the medium test pattern.

When it comes to drier conditions, only those with lower rev rates and higher ball speeds will be able to keep it on line to the pocket. Stroker had the best reaction of our three testers. Weaker layouts combined with some polish will be required for those bowling on medium-dry and drier patterns.

The Wicked Siege showed a tremendous amount of potential on our sport pattern. The strong predictable motion that this ball provides will allow it to work for all styles on flatter patterns of medium volume or higher.

Strengths: What we liked the most about the Wicked Siege was the overall predictability that it offers. It just seemed to offer the right amount of length and back end, giving a consistent line to the pocket.

Weaknesses: The Wicked Siege will find its way back into the bag when the lanes have less than a medium volume of oil. Polishing will help create more length, but it won’t be enough for the dry stuff.

Overall Summary: The Wicked Siege creates a look on the lanes that is between the Siege and Evil Siege. It will match up best with medium to oily patterns. The reaction off the dry is strong yet very consistent.