I wrote a review 2 years ago for the Retro Burst Ballista, but I recently picked up and started testing a Gold line Ballista and thought it deserved its own review. This plastic grade is definitely a lot better than the cheaper DX-like Retro grades which get beat up pretty badly fairly quickly, and end up much more understable than is typically usable. It has a good feel too it, though maybe not as grippy as some other grades (Icon, Gstar, etc). There is a bit of flashing on the inner rim, but I only really notice it if I run my finger from the outside in (which is opposite the direction your fingers rub against it when throwing, so no big deal).

My previous Ballista became far too understable with time, so it's nice to have one again that has the intended stability. This works really well for me into the wind especially, which will be a bonus since my Corvette went missing last season. I think it may not have a full 3 Fade compared to other discs I was throwing, but I think that probably works even better for my arm speed/strength. I don't think 14-speeds are well suited for beginners, though for good forehand throwers, this might be something to challenge them a bit initially and help them gauge their power.

I have only played two rounds with it so I may need to change this later once the disc beats in. I typically throw a variety of 13 speed drivers: pharaoh, daedalus, raider in the wind. I didn't think a speed 14 would make a difference. I typically drive around 370 and on a good day will push 400. I didn't think a 14 would make a difference, I was wrong! Wow, it instantly added 50-60ft to my drive. Again it's  only been two rounds so who knows but right out of the box it's easily flying 400 and requires what seems like no effort at all. Just a smooth, soft, focused release. I have noticed the more power I try to force into the disc the worse it does, I would say this disc is not beginner friendly at all. I wouldn't even suggest this one for intermediate level, I think this is the type of disc that requires a dedicated player in order to really get it to do something special. I already love it and its my new #1, pushed out a pharaoh I have been throwing for years. Two rounds of no up shots, just drive 400+ then putt, crazy!!!

I love the Ballista Pro Gold-X. Just got this disc as I needed a longer flight with reliable fade. I'm still working on my distance but throw RHBH average of 375'. This is my first 14 speed and expect this to be a bomber max distance thrower as my arm speed progresses. However, I didn't get the Ballista for pure distance, it fills a spot in my bag just above my DD Captain and Hades when I need some distance but also need that reliable sharp fade. Give it a try as its versatile for long distance throwers or as utility disc when you need that sharp fade at the end. The Gold-X is very stable, but I'm expecting it to break in eventually and be able to flex it out and get that max distance. 

When I reviewed the Ballista Pro, I don't believe I misspoke when I called it the best speed 14 driver out there. I really should have saved that comment for this one, though, the original. That slight touch of high speed turn, in Star Wars terms, takes the Innova Star Destroyer from a great platform to something more resembling Snoke's ship. For now, we as disc golfers are just waiting for a Death Star. It's so fast. Unlike the Ballista Pro, you need to only do 90 pound bicep curls to get the most out of this disc, instead of 100 pounds. You need an arm to throw this thing. If you do, I doubt you're going to get more distance out of any other disc, to the extent you may run out of holes that you can realistically use this thing. 

PROS: The best case scenario when a company sets out to make a speed 14 disc. 

CONS: Absolutely requires high level power. 

Great disc for intermediate/ advanced players that are looking for some distance and have the power to maximize that distance. You have GOT to throw this baby hard and fast if you want to get the most out of this thing (that speed 14 rating is very accurate). I have been throwing it consistently for about a month and I still underestimate the power necessary get it going. With that said when you get it up to speed it will fly dead straight with a slight left fade at the end(RHBH). I love this disc for long drives with no wind and that's about it. It is in my bag for that reason only but it does great for me. Only reason I gave it 4 stars is because it only has that one use. I don't see how it's a 3 fade but you be the judge!

173g Retro Line Burst.  Cool looking disc.  It's not beginner friendly, although it is more beginner friendly than several other high speed overstable distance drivers that I have tried.  If you're a beginner, don't expect a lot of distance.  It does fade predictably at the end, though, unlike most overstable distance drivers that seem to "crash".  We are just starting to incorporate this disc into our play, but it is very overstable and hard to throw well (for beginners).

I have an Panda Opto Ballista and a Gold Line Ballista. Both of them go far!! Gold Line is a little more stable and a little more suited for someone wanting to throw Forehand. Both go very straight with minimal fade at the end. Opto has a little bit of turn for me and holds it for quite a long time. I wouldn't necessarily say you need to have a big arm for this disc but to get the full flight they seem to require 400ft+ of power. Would recommend as a stable DD for someone with a decent amount of backhand experience.

172g ballista pro. Can I just say this disc is an absolute beefcake. As reid frescura once said about the machete ''This disc smells like brisket it's so overstable.'' That also applies for this disc. I have gold line ballista so this disc is extra overstable. This disc feels,and flies so fast out of my hand. If I give this disc a good bit of anhyzer I can get this disc to fly a really long way. I would definitely recommend this disc to someone with a higher arm speed,and definitely not a beginner. But it's a great disc.

This was the farthest flying high speed disc I have used.  I have since disced down, but when my form improves, I will return to this disc.  Even with the large rim, it is easy to throw and predictable.  It doesn't like strong headwinds. This was the first disc I broke 350 with.  Gold line plastic is my go to for latitude disc.  It's tough and has a really nice feel to it.

The Gold line Ballista is definitely in the top tier of drivers as far as pure distance is concerned. Its very fast and has great glide. Neutral stability. It isn't over or understable. In fact, this disc can be torqued into the ground with the wrong release angle and too much arm.  

Outstanding distance potental though. In a field test with other similar drivers it was excelling. Very controllable driver. Easy to learn and throw well quickly. 

My numbers for the Ballista would be Speed 14, Glide 5, Turn -2, Fade 2. For me it almost flies like a faster, longer Surge. It'll keep pace with any distance driver on the market. I recommend it for people who throw over 400' and want to start touching 450' occasionally. With the Ballista its doable. 

Let me start off by saying that the ballista varies drastically from plastic to plastic. So each piece of this review is for each of the plastics I've tried.

Snow Line 5/5 stars

When I first threw a snow line ballista, I was hooked! Thrown flat this would have minimal turn, and a good, healthy fade. It was also fast. REALLY fast. It would be out of my hands and before I could look up out of my throw, it'd be already screaming down the fairway. I instantly bagged it.

Opto Line 3/5 stars

They released the opto ballista not long after I bagged the snow line, so naturally I had to pick it up. Unfortunately this disc flew nothing like it's brother in the snow line plastic. It was incredibly understable and was essentially a roller only disc for me. I figured this might be a fluke disc that I got, so I tried my friend's. His disc acted the exact same.

Gold Line 5/5 stars

Then came gold line. I didn't buy it at first after getting disappointed with opto because from my experience, gold line is usually less stable. Fortunately, I was wrong. This one BOMBS. It's decently less stable than than the slow line, but still has some good finish. This allows me to get the max distance, beautiful S-curve shot we all crave.

Final thoughts:

You can cover almost all of your distance driver spots with each of the different plastics that are offered. The differences in flight between the plastics are pretty drastic which makes decision making easy. However, it is a very large rim and you will need a bigger arm to fully experience what the ballista has to offer.

I get really great drives with this disc. Well if it's calm they are great. It is a bit of a glider in the wind, keep the nose parallel with the ground. It can handle all the speed I can put in it. My numbers are a bit different from factory, but the disc will always have a place in my line up. 

Stable to understable depending on power. This is a faster disc that when pushed to speed will turn and come back. Great for bombers with a pretty open window.

Really liking this disc. I usually carry about 3-4 Destroyers in my bag at different stages of wear and this Gold Line Ballista is comparable to my broken-in Destroyer that I use for my long distance shots. I went out to an open field with my Destroyer and the new Ballista to see if the Ballista could compete with my furthest throwing Destroyer and it did not Disappoint. After getting warmed up my Ballista was averaging 20ft further than my Destroyer. I am strongly thinking about keeping this one in the bag!