For me, the Code Black is a turd....and I don't say that about many balls. I can usually find a condition for them but I've truly only used it once where I was like, "ok this could work." I find it very over-under and "squirty". If you don't hit up on it, it slides. I've tried moving around, playing straighter, playing deeper, thrown it in different houses but always end up putting it away without any luck. I would say I've probably only got 10 games on the ball total because I could only get it to do what I wanted 1 time and that renewed my hopes, only to be dashed other times out. For me the Mission Unknown is stronger, reads the mids WAY better and is stronger. I'm a storm guy and usually throw only storm. I bought the Unknown hoping to find a gold one and make some $ but ended up with 5 of them and all black so I drilled one up. It out preforms my Code Black hands down. I am intrigued by the Code Red as I loved my VE which was a high-end hybrid asym. I was so excited for the code black that I bought 2 and an will just hold onto the other to make some $ in the future. I know you're going to say change the surface, but I HATE changing them. Taking the shine off might help and I might be inclined to do so if the code red weren't coming out. Once you mess with surfaces the value goes down as well. If anyone wants a partial used (10 freakin games) i'd let it go for 110 shipped. Just my 2 cents