The Innova Archangel is a 8-speed very understable fairway driver. With published flight numbers of 8 / 6 / -4 / 1, it is most often described as suited for maximum distance for new players and slower arm speeds, long, sweeping anhyzer lines.
Overview
The Innova Archangel is a very understable turnover driver that maximizes distance for less powerful players — Innova calls it one of its easiest drivers to throw.[2] Its 8/6/-4/1 ratings combine high glide, fast speed, and a strong turning characteristic that stretch out distance shots for slower arms.[2] For stronger throwers the same turn makes it a natural roller disc, and as DX copies beat in they turn over even more readily.[2][3]
Flight characteristics
Flight numbers describe the published behavior of the disc when thrown at its design speed. Real-world flight varies with plastic, weight, age, and thrower power. The community-averaged numbers above reflect crowd-sourced observations from real throws — typically slightly more understable than the manufacturer's published values, which is the most consistent pattern across nearly every commercial mold.
Recommended uses
The Archangel is a beginner's distance tool: new players and those with moderate arm speed get long, full flights that faster and more stable drivers won't give them.[2] Innova recommends it for long anhyzers and roller shots, with lighter weights working especially well for younger players.[2] Innova pro Stan McDaniel notes that a beat-in Archangel 'makes a good roller' and glides a long way on hyzer releases.[2]
Best for:
- Maximum distance for new players and slower arm speeds
- Long, sweeping anhyzer lines
- Backhand and forehand rollers
- Lightweight drives for juniors and developing players
Community notes — how players actually use this disc
Plastics & variants
The Archangel is available in the following plastic blends from Innova:[2]
DX
Plastic blend significantly affects flight character. Premium plastics like Champion, Z, or C-Line generally fly more overstable when fresh and hold their stability over time. Base plastics like DX, Pro, or Active beat in faster and become more understable workhorses with use.
History
The Archangel was PDGA-approved on August 21, 2001 (certification 01-06).[3] IsaacSam's Innova series records that it was designed to be a more accessible version of the Valkyrie — a little slower and much less stable.[1] It was never popular among advanced players, but for beginners it delivered easy distance, and Innova only ever made full production runs in DX plastic; a few Champion Archangels exist but are extremely rare.[1] After the Archangel, IsaacSam notes, the Sidewinder became Innova's second attempt at a less stable Valkyrie.[1] The Archangel remains in production in DX at 150–175 g.[2]
Notable throwers
Currently no information
Similar discs
- Innova Sidewinder · 9/5/-3/1
- Innova Roadrunner · 9/5/-4/1
- Innova Valkyrie · 9/4/-2/2
- Latitude 64 Diamond · 8/6/-3/1
References & further reading
- How to read disc golf flight numbers — Discpedia primer
- PDGA Approved Disc List — search for "Archangel" to find the Innova Archangel entry (PDGA-approved 2001)
- Innova official site — manufacturer product page
Sources
Content on this page has been cross-checked against the following sources. Numbered citations in the prose above link to the matching entry here.
- "Every Single Innova Disc, Part 6 (Valkyrie – Orc)" — u/IsaacSam98 on r/discgolf (dedicated Archangel chapter)
- Archangel — Innova Disc Golf (official product page)
- Archangel — PDGA Equipment Certification (approved 2001-08-21, cert 01-06)
- Innova Archangel — Easy Distance Driver for Beginners and Rollers — USA Disc Golf Store
This is a community page. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Suggest a correction — every edit is reviewed before it goes live.