The Innova Valkyrie vs Beast Reviewed

How does one compare two well-loved, popular behemoths like the Valkyrie and the Beast? Welcome to the clash of the Innova titans, where we'll be dissecting the differences, similarities, and plastic choices and giving some helpful suggestions to help you choose between the Innova Valkyrie vs Beast.

The Bottom Line:

• The Valkyrie is a highly popular, stable flying driver better suited for newer disc golfers to develop their form and provide confidence with longer throws.
• The Beast is one of the most popular distance drivers on the market and is a fast, stable driver that is well suited to more experienced players.

Dimensions

When comparing these two discs, there are some slight physical differences. To many, it's negligible, but here's the official rundown:

Innova Valkyrie Dimensions:

• Height: 1.4 cm
• Diameter: 21.1 cm
• Rim Depth: 1.2 cm
• Rim Width: 1.9 cm

Innova Beast Dimensions:

• Height: 1.4 cm
• Diameter: 21.2 cm
• Rim Depth: 1.1 cm
• Rim Width: 2.0 cm

As you can tell, these discs are pretty similar from a physical standpoint. With a minor difference of .1 cm between the diameters, rim depths, and rim widths, it's ultimately up to preference- some discs feel better in different hand sizes.

Flight Ratings

Innova Valkyrie Flight Numbers:

• Speed: 9
• Glide: 4
• Turn: -2
• Fade: 2

Innova Beast Flight Numbers:

• Speed: 10
• Glide: 5
• Turn: -2
• Fade: 2

Even though both of these discs have speed ratings that would technically put them squarely in the control driver category, these discs work as distance drivers.

Especially for beginners who may be working on getting their arm speed up. The Valkyrie also used to hold the World Distance Record, so its potential is evident.

Since both drivers have the same turn and fade rating, we'll start by focusing on the speed and glide.

Innova Valkyrie vs Beast: Differences

With the Innova Beast sitting pretty at 10 and the Valkyrie coming in at 9, it can be safely assumed that the Beast will require more arm power to express its entire intended flight characteristics. You can get a bit more distance out of the Beast, but you may lose a bit of consistency.

The benefit of a lower speed rating like Valkyrie's 9 is that it will make the disc more controllable. (Again, this largely depends on your form and technique.) The Valkyrie is a solid disc that most players have experienced in one way or another.

Due to its beginner-friendly nature, it makes a lot of "recommended" lists.

We would say that the Valkyrie has more applications than the Beast. The Valkyrie is versatile due to the huge offerings of plastic and weight ranges, which means it can be used in various situations- newer players can work on their form.

More advanced players can count on the reliable Valk to make that shot count.

Both of these discs have their intended uses. The Beast may give you a slightly straighter line than the Valkyrie, and if you've got the need for speed and are looking for a faster driver, the Beast may suit you better. The glide rating of 5 also makes the Beast soar down the fairway with a lot of ease.

As we mentioned, these discs have the same turn and fade rating. However: it's worth noting that the Valkyrie is a little more understable than the Beast. The Valkyrie is great for turnover throws and even rollers (hello, DX Valk).

You'll notice that they'll express a similar flight pattern, but the Beast will start its fade a little later.

If you're curious to see how these discs fly, look at this flight chart comparison provided by inbounds Disc Golf.

Overall Similarities

You can't go wrong with control drivers for those starting to dip their toes into faster discs. Both of these discs are popular choices! When thrown with a decent amount of power and correct form, you'll be amazed at their capability, distance-wise.

Both of these discs are great for throwing forehand and backhand, although you may find one more comfortable in hand (depending on your grip.)

And lastly, both of these also benefit significantly from a delicious tailwind- the Beast has a glide rating of 5, making it a great choice in pleasant weather conditions when you want something to rip through the fairway.

Plastic Types

Plastic types make a huge difference in your disc's stability. And it's also worth noting with a grain of salt that Innova has historically had some consistency issues between runs. If you want to learn more about Innova's plastic types, check out our handy dandy guide.

Innova Valkyrie Plastics:

The demand for the Valkyrie has made this mold available in a huge range of weights and plastic lines. Currently, the Valkyrie is available in Star (150-175g), GStar (150-175g), StarLite (130-149g), EchoStar (170-175g), Champion (150-175g), Glow Champion (165-175g), Pro (160-175), Glow (165-175g) and DX (150-175g).

We have the Valkyrie in Halo Star plastic, which is a more stable plastic- it's just as durable as Champion but has a grippier feel, which we dig.

Innova Beast Plastics:

The Innova Beast is currently available in Star (164-175g), GStar (165-175g), Champion (160-175g), Blizzard (130-159g), Pro (165-175g), Glow (165-175g), and DX (150-175g).

Brand new discs take time to beat into that sweet spot (especially in premium plastic), so it's a good idea to have a few of your favorite discs on hand that has been seasoned the way you like.

The extremely controllable Beast in Halo plastic is available in our store.

(Hot tip: If you live in a warmer climate, Pro Beast is an excellent choice for sweaty hands!)

FAQ's:

Is the Valkyrie over or understable?

The Valkyrie is understable.

Is the Innova Valkyrie good for beginners?

Yes, the Innova Valkyrie is very approachable for beginners and newer players.

Who bags the Valkyrie?

Juliana Korver bags Valkyries, and it is a famous disc in the professional women's circuit.

Will the Innova Beast or Valkyrie give me maximum distance?

Both can produce great results if thrown with proper form and enough power (especially the Beast.)

Summary

As with any purchase of a new disc, there are things to consider. Especially between two discs such as these, which have great benefits and a few similarities.

The biggest thing to remember when deciding which one will suit you best is to note the control and stability of these discs and take into account your level of play.

Overall, the Innova Valkyrie is more of a beginner-friendly distance driver with a lot of appeal to a wide variety of players. The Innova Beast is more suited for experienced players looking to take it to the next level.

Are you looking for a new distance driver, or something else from Innova?

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