Hi Lucas, the HL5 is optimized for the plastic ball. I also have a viscaria as my backup and I find it performs pretty similar to the Timo Boll ALC and the rest of the Butterfly ALC blades, so if you don't mind, I'll use that as a comparison. It's easier to do FH flicks with the HL5 (this pretty much holds true for most DHS blades) compared to the Butterfly ALC blades. There is overall better control with the HL5 but initially when you use it, it might feel a bit faster so you have to adjust to the speed. The Butterfly ALC blades in general are more balanced so if you use the build that you're using, judging by your profile (DHS H3 Neo BS + Tibhar Evo FXP), your blade will be balanced (or slightly head heavy) vs. a head heavy blade if you use the HL5. BH flicks are pretty much similar for both. Touch may be a bit different from both but after adjustment you can pretty much do the same things. Looping is a lot better for the HL5. As you may have read, the HL series is designed for looping, especially looping underspin. If you're using chinese rubbers, you can pretty much FH loop the ball from table height or even slightly below and produce an attacking loop (provided you're looping chinese style where you're pivoting from the shoulder and less from the elbow). This is much harder to do with Butterfly ALC blades where I usually just loop the ball from net height or slightly below net height. BH loops I find is easier with butterfly ALC blades than HL5 I find since the blade is more stable. Overall, it just a matter of what your style is, and I suggest your try the blade from someone at your club or at least try the HL3 or any other DHS blades before purchasing.
Cheers
Side note: I forgot to mention you can loop with the HL5 from net height as well and higher of course! same with the Butterfly ALC blades! But I'm sure you know that already
