Storm
Intense Fire
PatternStTwCr
Oily:78.59
Medium:9.59.59
Dry:NANANA
Sport:665

(1-10 in order of Stroker (ST), Tweener (TW), Cranker (CR))

Coverstock Info
Name:
R3S Hybrid Reactive
Type:
Reactive Hybrid
Box Finish:
1500 Grit Polished
Color:
Ultramarine / Persimmon / Black
Core Info
Name:
RAD-E
Type:Asymmetrical
RG:2.49
Total Diff:0.050
Int. Diff:0.017

The Storm Intense Fire is the second ball to use the RAD-E asymmetrical core design that was first used in the original Intense. This low RG, high differential core is surrounded by Storm’s R3S Hybrid Reactive coverstock that comes out of the box at a 1500 grit polished finish. Despite the change in coverstock from R3S Pearl to R3S Hybrid, we found the Intense Fire to provide more length and a stronger motion off the dry than the Intense.

The shape this ball creates getting to the pocket was best for all three of our testers on our medium oil test pattern. Tweener and Stroker were able to take advantage of this ball’s strong downlane motion on the fresh, which helped even on shots they didn’t quite catch all of at the release point. They could both miss inside of their targets and their balls would still pick up in the midlane heavy enough to make a move at the dry. Stroker was the straightest on the fresh, setting his ball down on 13, crossing the second arrow, and getting it out to seven at the breakpoint. Tweener was much deeper into the pattern, laying his ball down on 25, targeting between the third and fourth arrows, and...

To read the full review, please visit:
https://www.bowlingthismonth.com/bowling-ball-review/storm-intense-fire/

Performance Ratings

NameValueComments
Torque
(1-10)
8
The Intense Fire equals any Storm ball before it with its strength off the breakpoint. Bowlers who want a strong flip shape off the end of the pattern will find it with the Intense Fire.
Length
(1-25)
17.5
The 1500 grit polished R3S Hybrid cover provides easy length for all styles of players. The Intense Fire's longer length allows it to retain maximum energy for the breakpoint and back end.
Back End
(1-20)
18
The massive back end from the Intense Fire rivals any current ball on the market. This ball provides more back end motion than the original Intense.
Total Hook
(1-100)
55
While providing more torque and back end than the Intense, the total hook was around the same. We were able to use the Intense Fire at its polished box finish on our heavy oil test pattern.

Strengths: The Intense Fire's strong reaction downlane and large amount of total hook are its biggest strengths. This ball complements the original Intense very nicely.

Weaknesses: This ball's strong back end motion was difficult to control with the polished box finish on our sport pattern. We also saw too much hook to use this ball with success on our dry pattern.

Overall Summary: The Intense Fire has more length and back end than both the original Intense and rougher-finished balls like the Code X. When a strong skid/flip reaction is needed, there will be few balls that are better options than the Intense Fire.