The Innova Beast is a 10-speed understable distance driver. With published flight numbers of 10 / 5 / -2 / 2, it is most often described as suited for turnover-flex distance drives that ride out flat, long s-curves at moderate arm speed.
Overview
The Innova Beast is an understable 10-speed distance driver with 10/5/-2/2 flight numbers and what Innova calls a gliding, predictable finish.[2] IsaacSam calls it 'a groundbreaking disc by Innova, the first disc to have a 2cm+ rim.'[1] When it came out in 2002 it was the farthest-flying disc in the sport, a title the Valkyrie had held two years earlier.[1] Innova still sells it as a disc 'sure to increase distance for beginners and pros alike.'[2]
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
Innova recommends the Beast as a turnover driver, a tailwind driver and a distance option for novice players.[2] Throw it flat or on a slight hyzer for a long S-curve at moderate arm speed, or put it on an anhyzer for a big turnover if you have a strong arm. Blizzard Beasts run 130-159 g for slower arms chasing distance, while the other plastics start between 150 and 165 g and top out at 175 g.[2] Barry Schultz carries 2-3 Beasts depending on the course and weather: a durable Champion in the woods, and a DX when it's cold or wet or the course is open.[2]
Best for:
- Turnover-flex distance drives that ride out flat
- Long S-curves at moderate arm speed
- Tailwind distance drives
- Novice players looking for more distance
- Big anhyzers from strong arms
Community notes — how players actually use this disc
Plastics & variants
The Beast is available in the following plastic blends from Innova:[2]
Halo Star, Star, GStar, Champion, Blizzard, Pro, Glow, 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 PDGA approved the Beast on December 2, 2002 (certification 02-11).[3] It was the first Innova disc with a rim of 2 cm or more, an early step toward the wide-rim drivers that followed.[1] Barry Schultz won two PDGA World Championships with it, and it became his signature disc.[1] After the Orc came out in 2004, Innova remolded the Beast to fly slightly less stable so the two would differ.[1] Pre-2004 'Pro-Line' Beasts, Pre-Barry Champion Beasts and 1x Barry Schultz Beasts come from the older, more stable mold and are collectable.[1] Most pros who threw the Beast later moved to the Orc and then the Destroyer.[1]
Notable throwers
Barry Schultz (signature disc, 2x PDGA World Champion — won both with a Beast), Eric Friedman
Frequently asked questions
Is the Beast good for beginners?
Yes. Innova lists novice players looking for more distance among the Beast's best uses and calls it suitable for beginners and pros alike.[2] Blizzard Beasts weigh 130-159 g, which suits slower arms.[2]
Is the Beast understable?
Yes, the Beast is understable, with -2 turn and 2 fade on Innova's 10/5/-2/2 flight ratings.[2] Innova markets it as a turnover and tailwind driver, and Beasts made before the 2004 remold fly more stable than current ones.[1]
What disc is the Beast similar to?
The Innova Gorgon (10/6/-2/1) and Valkyrie (9/4/-2/2) are the closest matches, with similar speed and the same -2 turn. The Orc is the Beast's more stable sibling: Innova made the Beast slightly less stable after the Orc arrived in 2004 so the two would fly differently.[1]
Who throws the Beast?
Barry Schultz is the best-known Beast thrower: he won two PDGA World Championships with it, and Innova notes the Champion Beast is endorsed by him.[1][2] Eric Friedman also calls the Beast a favorite of his on Innova's page.[2]
How it compares
How the Beast lines up against the discs players most often weigh it against, using each manufacturer's published flight numbers.
| Disc | Speed / Glide / Turn / Fade | Stability | Rim width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innova Beast | 10 / 5 / -2 / 2 | Understable | 2 cm |
| Innova Sidewinder | 9 / 5 / -3 / 1 | Very Understable | 2.1 cm |
| Innova Gorgon | 10 / 6 / -2 / 1 | Understable | 2.1 cm |
| Innova Valkyrie | 9 / 4 / -2 / 2 | Stable | 1.9 cm |
| Innova Orc | 10 / 4 / -1 / 3 | Stable to Overstable | 2 cm |
References & further reading
- How to read disc golf flight numbers — Discpedia primer
- PDGA Approved Disc List — search for "Beast" to find the Innova Beast entry (PDGA-approved 2002)
- 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 Beast chapter)
- Beast — official manufacturer page (Innova Disc Golf)
- Beast — PDGA approved-disc database (certification 02-11, approved 2002-12-02)
This is a community page. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Suggest a correction — every edit is reviewed before it goes live.