Brunswick Activator Coverstock has quickly established a reputation for excellence in ball reaction, durability and longevity of ball reaction. On the lanes, Activator Coverstock balls are clean through the heads with excellent mid-lane recovery and strong arcing back-end reactions that create powerful pin action. Owners of the original Inferno have reported that it requires less frequent resurfacing and/or rejuvenation and is more resistant to cracking than other reactive coverstock balls.

Activator Plus is a more aggressive version of the original Activator coverstock formulation that maintains the durability and longevity of ball reaction that are characteristic of the Activator coverstock family. The rough-buff, pearlized version of Activator Plus coverstock used on the Absolute Inferno creates more traction in the oil, increasing the ball's mid-lane and backend hooking action, while still being clean through the front end. When combined with the more angular breakpoint of the Activator Plus coverstock, this creates a ball with excellent mid-lane recovery and strong back-end power that is very forgiving, allowing the bowler more room for error.