The Epidemic is the third release at this price point for Hammer. It uses a new “Magneto” black version of the Biohazard core combined with the Level 5 pearl reactive cover. The polished pearl cover allows for a clean reaction through the front of the lane with the same strong breakpoint and back end reaction for which the Plague line is known. The Epidemic is better suited for medium and medium/dry patterns. The others in this line match up better with oilier patterns.

All three testers had their best look on the medium test pattern, as expected. Stroker had his best reaction playing a much straighter line than the others. The strong breakpoint and back end reaction gave Tweener the ability to move in, ending up almost right in the center of where Stroker and Cranker were playing. Cranker was really able to ...