Unicorn Striker Review

My review of the Unicorn Striker

The Striker clearly sits in Unicorn's entry-level segment, and it doesn't try to punch above its weight. It's a sisal dartboard designed for intensive use on a tight budget: equipping a shared club room, a beginner club, or a player discovering steel-tip darts without wanting to invest in a premium model right away. With an overall score of 5.4/10, it stays in the lower-average range of the market, but it has the merit of embracing its positioning rather than promising performance it can't deliver.

The key thing to know before buying: its thick round wire spider (1mm wire, stapled) is noticeably less technical than the blade spiders found on higher-end models. This is the main trade-off of this board, and it should factor into your decision depending on your skill level.

My test of the Unicorn Striker on the oche

On the oche, the weakness shows up quickly: bounce-outs are more frequent than with a blade spider. With a score of 4/10 on this criterion, the Striker ranks among the weakest boards we've tested on this specific point. The reason is purely structural: the thick round wire offers more contact surface to darts arriving at a poor angle, and the staples holding the spider in place create extra hard points where the tip can ricochet.

In practice, this means "edge zone" hits (doubles, trebles, bull) bounce out more often than on a thin wire spider. It's not a dealbreaker for practice or casual play, but a player chasing pinpoint accuracy in competition will quickly feel the limit. Visual comfort, on the other hand, stays decent (6/10): the zones are clearly readable, which helps offset some of the frustration from bounce-outs.

Durability of the Unicorn Striker

This is where the Striker makes up ground. With a score of 7/10, durability is by far its strongest point: the sisal handles repeated impacts well and the board doesn't wear down quickly, even under heavy use in a shared club room or a high-traffic venue. This is consistent with its purpose: a board designed to last over time at an affordable price, rather than to deliver competition-grade precision.

This "durability over technicality" trade-off makes sense on an entry-level board: it needs to survive dozens of different players first, not chase tenth-of-a-millimetre precision.

Installation and mounting the board

At the standard size (18.1", 5kg), the Striker mounts like any traditional bristle board, on a standard wall bracket or cabinet. Nothing specific to flag here: its weight and dimensions match market standards, with no particular mounting constraints.

Price and value for money

The Striker is priced around €25-35, making it one of the most accessible options in the Unicorn range. At this price point, the value for money holds up mainly thanks to durability: you're not buying precision, you're buying a board that will last without needing replacement after a few months of heavy use. Perceived quality and finish remain average (5/10 each), with no unpleasant surprises but no particular refinement either.

Verdict: should you buy the Unicorn Striker?

Yes, if your priority is budget and toughness: for beginners, shared club rooms, or high-traffic venues, the Striker gets the job done without wearing out fast. No, if you're looking for a board to progress seriously or play in competition: it's not tournament-approved, and its round wire spider will produce more bounce-outs than a blade model. In that case, it's better to look at an Eclipse Pro, which offers a more technical spider and competition approval.