Mission Samurai II Review

My opinion on the Mission Samurai II

The Mission Samurai II holds a unique place in the Samurai range: it's the go-to competition dartboard, and more importantly, the only model in the series explicitly WDF-approved, used as the official board by federations such as the UKDA and the SDA. On paper, it doesn't post the most spectacular scores in the Mission catalogue, but it has one advantage no other Samurai can claim: certification.

With an overall rating of 7.2/10, this isn't the most impressive board I've tested, but it's honest about what it offers. Good-quality African sisal, a staple-free blade spider, tidy but unremarkable finishing: this is a solid, coherent profile, built to last in club and competition play rather than to impress on a spec sheet.

My test of the Mission Samurai II on the oche

The first thing that stands out when throwing is the behaviour of the ultra-thin, staple-free blade spider. The absence of staples clearly reduces the classic bounce-out points, and darts that clip a wire tend to slide rather than ricochet sharply off the board. The 8/10 bounce-out score reflects this feel accurately at the oche.

Visual comfort, at 7/10, stays average: the segments are legible without being as sharp or high-contrast as on newer models in the range like the Samurai 3 or Samurai 4. Nothing bothersome in normal use, but it's clear this isn't the model's priority, which focuses first and foremost on regulatory compliance and durability for competitive play.

Durability of the Mission Samurai II

With a score of 7/10, the Samurai II's durability sits in the upper-average range for this price segment. The African sisal used holds up well under repeated sessions, and the staple-free construction indirectly contributes to longevity: fewer staples means fewer localised weak points on the spider wire over time.

This isn't a premium board built for years of intensive daily use without rotation, but for a club player or competitor using it regularly and reasonably, it holds up well. The perceived quality score, also at 7/10, confirms this impression: the product feels reliable and serious, without aiming for the high end of the market.

Setting up and mounting the board

Setting up the Mission Samurai II doesn't present any notable quirks compared to market standards. As with any board of this format, it's best to plan for a sturdy wall mount and check the centre alignment against the regulation height (1.73 m) and throw distance (2.37 m for steel tip).

Since precise diameter and segment width figures aren't communicated for this model, I recommend checking the official Mission spec sheet before purchase if those measurements matter for your setup, especially if you're installing it alongside other certified boards to keep consistency in play.

Price and value for money

The Mission Samurai II is generally priced between €35 and €48 depending on the retailer (estimate, to be adjusted depending on the retailer and promotional periods). At that price, it's a very good compromise: you get a reliable, durable board with an effective anti-bounce spider, and above all a certification that carries real value for anyone wanting to play in official competitions.

Value for money is clearly one of the model's strong points. It doesn't try to compete with premium boards on visual comfort or ultra-refined finishing, but it delivers the essentials seriously, at an accessible price for a club player who wants to train on a board that meets competition standards.

Verdict: should you buy the Mission Samurai II?

The paradox of the Samurai range is that the newer, better-rated models, the Samurai 3 and Samurai 4, are not certified for official competition. If your goal is to train or play on a board strictly identical to those used in WDF, UKDA, or SDA tournaments, the Samurai II remains the only logical choice in the range, despite more modest individual scores.

For a serious club player or a competitor wanting to progress under realistic conditions, this is a rational, relevant purchase. On the other hand, if certification isn't a criterion for you and you're primarily after the best visual comfort or finishing in the Mission catalogue, the newer models in the range will better meet that expectation.