Contents
  1. Overview
  2. Flight characteristics
  3. Recommended uses
  4. Plastics & variants
  5. History
  6. Notable throwers
  7. Similar discs

The Discraft Archer is a 5-speed very understable midrange. With published flight numbers of 5 / 4 / -4 / 1, it is most often described as suited for hyzer-flip lines that stand up and glide, drifting turnovers around obstacles.

Overview

The Discraft Archer is a very understable midrange rated 5/4/-4/1, which Discraft also lists at a stability of -0.5 on its own scale.[1] The shallow 1.1 cm rim depth and microbead design make it unusually easy to grip, and Discraft specifically notes that it suits players with smaller hands.[1][2] That -4 turn means even slow arm speeds can flip it up out of a hyzer release and hold a long, gliding line. Discraft labels it a beginner disc on its official product page, though its touch and roller potential keep it in some advanced players' bags too.[1][3]

Flight characteristics

Flight numbers: manufacturer vs. community
SourceSpeedGlide TurnFade
Discraft (mfg) 5 4 -4 1 Published spec
Discpedia community Loading ratings…

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.

The Archer is a finesse mold. Its natural shot is the hyzer flip: released on hyzer it stands up, glides, and finishes with only a token fade.[1] It is also one of the easier midranges to turn into a long roller, and it works as a drifting turnover around obstacles that a straighter midrange would not clear.[3] For newer players it doubles as a low-effort approach disc. Avoid it in a headwind — at -4 turn it will burn over.

Best for:

  • Hyzer-flip lines that stand up and glide
  • Drifting turnovers around obstacles
  • Long rollers
  • Touch approaches for slower arm speeds

Plastics & variants

The Archer is available in the following plastic blends from Discraft:[1]

Z, ESP, CryZtal

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

Discraft released the Archer during the 2016 Ace Race, the company's annual event that debuts unreleased molds, and the PDGA approved it on December 7, 2016 under certification number 16-78.[1][2] The certification record lists a 21.5 cm diameter, a 1.8 cm height, a 1.1 cm rim depth and a maximum weight of 178.5 g.[2] Discraft's own description credits its exceptional glide and touch for the following it picked up straight after the Ace Race, and it has stayed in the catalogue since, primarily in Z plastic.[1] Retailers consistently frame it as one of the most beginner-friendly midranges Discraft makes, with the shallow profile and microbead rim called out as the reason.[3][4] Tour series and CryZtal runs have appeared over the years alongside the standard Z line.

Notable throwers

Currently no information

Similar discs

References & further reading

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.

  1. Z Line Archer — Discraft official product page
  2. Archer from Discraft — PDGA Equipment Certification (approved 2016-12-07, cert 16-78)
  3. Discraft Archer — Foundation Disc Golf product page
  4. Discraft Archer — Infinite Discs product page and reviews

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