Butterfly Viscaria Super ALC Blade Review
The Viscaria Super ALC upgrades the classic Viscaria with Super Arylate-Carbon fiber at 90g, reaching 9.5/10 speed and 7.0/10 control for $270.
· Updated
Specifications
| Composition | 5W + 2 Super Arylate-Carbon |
| Plies | 7 |
| Weight | 90g |
| handleType | FL |
| bladeThickness | 5.7mm |
| speedClass | OFF+ |
| reaction | 12.1 |
| vibration | 10.1 |
| Top Thickness | 5.7mm |
| headSize | 157x150mm |
The Viscaria Platform with More Power
The Butterfly Viscaria Super ALC takes the proven Viscaria design and replaces standard Arylate-Carbon with Super Arylate-Carbon, a denser fiber weave that increases the blade’s inherent bounce. At 9.5/10 speed, it jumps half a point above the original Viscaria (9.0/10), while control drops from 7.5/10 to 7.0/10. Weight increases to 90g from the standard model’s 85g.
Super ALC fiber creates a larger effective sweet spot compared to standard ALC. Off-center hits that would lose significant pace on the regular Viscaria retain more energy on the Super ALC version. For advanced players who generate heavy spin on full-stroke loops, this expanded sweet spot translates to fewer weak balls during rallies. The trade-off is reduced touch on short game strokes, where the extra bounce makes drops and short pushes harder to keep low.
At $270, the Viscaria Super ALC sits in the same price bracket as the Zhang Jike ZLC ($270). Both reach 9.5/10 speed, but through different fiber technologies. ZL-Carbon produces a lighter, more flexible feel at 87g, while Super ALC feels denser and more rigid at 90g. Players who prioritize raw stiffness and a solid hit prefer the Super ALC. Players who want flexibility and a catapult effect lean toward the ZLC.
When to Upgrade from the Standard Viscaria
Players already using the standard Viscaria who feel limited by its speed ceiling have a clear upgrade path in the Super ALC. The handle dimensions and blade shape remain identical, so the transition requires no grip adjustment. Rubber setups transfer directly. The primary adaptation involves recalibrating touch for the blade’s higher bounce.
The Fan Zhendong ALC ($185) offers a competing option for Viscaria users who want change without the $270 price tag. It matches the standard Viscaria’s 9.0/10 speed at a different outer fiber angle, producing a subtly different trajectory. But for players specifically seeking more power from the Viscaria platform, the Super ALC is the direct answer.
How much faster is the Viscaria Super ALC than the standard Viscaria?
Butterfly rates the Super ALC at 9.5/10 speed versus 9.0/10 for the standard Viscaria. The denser Super ALC fiber weave increases bounce by roughly 10-15%, most noticeable on hard drives and counter-loops.
Is the Viscaria Super ALC worth $85 more than the standard?
Only for advanced players (1800+ USATT) who need the extra gear. The standard Viscaria at $185 provides 90% of the Super ALC's performance. The $270 premium buys incremental speed and a larger sweet spot.