Prince Warrior Response String Review

Prince has aimed to combine the best aspects of a monofilament polyester string with a softer multifilament in the Warrior Response. This is always a tricky task to undertake, as these are two pretty different string constructions that have polarised playing characteristics.

On the one hand, a polyester string tends to be low powered, offers great control and durability but is also harsher on the arm and a bit dead feeling.

Whereas, a softer string like a multifilament or natural gut will be a lot more powerful thanks to its more elastic properties. Softer strings tend to be much more comfortable and arm friendly, as well as offering a more delicate and connected feel to the ball.

The idea of combining these two string types can definitely work, but it can also risk leaving you with a string that loses all of the benefits of both ends of the spectrum. With the Warrior Response, Prince has created a polyester string that uses a familiarly firm outer layer, which houses a soft polymer core.

The idea here is that Warrior Response will offer the same durability, control and spin as a traditional poly, whilst also delivering touch, power and feel like a soft multifilament.

From a power point of view, it doesn’t disappoint. Prince Warrior Response is a surprisingly powerful string!

It is pretty lively for a poly and you can definitely rely on it to produce some good pop no matter where you are in the court.

It isn’t as powerful as an extremely soft string like Babolat VS Touch or Wilson NXT, but it is definitely above average compared to even most soft polyesters you’ll find on the market today.

Hitting with it from the baseline it probably compares closest to a Solinco Hyper G but is actually a little more powerful truth be told. It is not too springy or spongy, and it actually plays more similarly to a multifilament or synthetic gut than a traditional poly.

You don’t lose all of that familiar polyester power due to the added pop from the string’s flexibility, but it does round it out nicely and give you a more user-friendly experience.

From a control point of view, Prince Warrior Response performs well. You can always expect a good amount of control from a polyester string, due to them being stiffer and therefore more consistent.

You always know what to expect from a string that is more uniform in its response, compared to a softer, lively string that can be a bit more unpredictable. I found that it strikes a nice blend between being predictable and plush.

Once you have hit with the string for half an hour or so, you can get dialled in and know where the ball will go consistently.

However, you also get a surprising amount of comfort from the string, which adds to the overall playability.

Whilst Prince Warrior Response still maintains that familiar polyester control, it is a little more forgiving and lively than say a Luxilon Big Banger or Babolat RPM Blast.

This means you get a little bit less control from the string, as it is more ready to send the ball off the string bed with interest. This is great for players that are used to playing with a multifilament string and are looking for a more controlled and durable alternative.

However, for those that are more used to using traditional polyester strings, Warrior Response may be a bit on the unpredictable side.

Warrior Response was a bit more convincing on the touch and feel side of things than the control from my perspective.

The soft core of the string does a great job of dialling out some of the harsher vibrations that are so typically associated with polyester strings.

The string doesn’t feel mushy or spongy by any means, but it is just soft enough to give you a nice blend of comfort and control. The string does a great job of blending all the best bits from a softer and a harder string. It won’t appeal to everyone, and the old adage of not being able to please everyone all the time definitely rings true here.

Some will call it too harsh for a ‘comfort’ string, and some will call it too unpredictable for a ‘control’ string. But, the ball comes off the string bed crisply, you get a nice clean response and overall Warrior Response is a very communicative and well judged poly.

Many polyester strings are very spin friendly, regardless of how they are shaped, due to their stiffness and ability to move around the string bed freely without notching. This gives them a natural advantage over softer multifilaments as they can grip and rip the ball with ease.

Softer polyester strings like Prince Warrior Response tend to offer a bit less spin overall, as they aren’t quite as good at catching the ball and snapping back to create that brushing effect.

You can definitely still consider Warrior Response a spin friendly string, but it simply doesn’t offer as much bite as some of its angular shape rivals.

In terms of string longevity itself, Prince Warrior Response is about average for a polyester. It is not exceptional in this department, and this is understandable given it is a naturally softer string. It won’t snap easily, but it also won’t last as long as some of the more hard wearing strings out there like Luxilon Big Banger for example.

As far as tension maintenance goes, Warrior Response is pretty decent compared to a lot of its competitors. The general rule of thumb is that harder strings like polyesters are less elastic and therefore tend to last longer, but their performance will drop off relatively quickly.

Whereas, a softer string like a natural gut, particularly if you pre-stretch it, won’t last as long overall, but it will maintain its tension for a longer percentage of its overall life.

Prince Warrior Response combines the best of both worlds in terms of tension maintenance, since it is soft enough to be pre-stretched and also the performance doesn’t drop off as rapidly as with more inelastic polys.

You can therefore play with this string for an extended period of time and experience a pretty consistent feel throughout its life.

Comfort is surprisingly good for a polyester string. The blend of the soft polymer core and the more resilient outer shell make this one of the most comfortable and arm friendly polyester strings money can buy.

Normally, I would play with a medium to firm polyester string in the mains and a nice soft multifilament in the crosses to soften off the string bed. But, after using Prince Warrior Response, it has got me thinking I may need to switch!

Compared to other soft polys, it isn’t far off from the feeling of Luxilon Element or Head Hawk Touch. Stringing it down at a slightly lower tension would also help to improve the comfort of the string even further.

Overall, Warrior Response is one of those strings that aims to be a great all rounder, but it actually ends up being more than a sum of its parts. It is a string that combines the best of both worlds, by offering the control, spin and durability of a traditional polyester string, along with the comfort power and feel of a multifilament.

Its unique construction sets it apart from its competitors. The soft inner core is an innovative design that blends what would otherwise be opposed characteristics to create an altogether different feel.

Prince Warrior Response is arguably the softest and most playable polyester on the market and it is well worth a try if you are looking for a bit more comfort and feel from your current poly string.

Whilst the string doesn’t exactly excel in one particular area, it is a strong performer across basically all aspects of what makes a great string, hence it having a very respectable score. Prince has nailed the brief here and Warrior Response is a string that can be used by players of all abilities.