The Red Dragon Ascend Parallel darts feel like a modern premium release from the second you open the box. In your review, both of you commented on how strong the presentation was, and that really does come across; the magnetic clasp box, the integrated Nitro flight system, and the extra stems and flights in the pack all help make these feel more high-end than a standard set straight out of the gate.
They’re a 90% tungsten dart, and in our review set were 22g, so they sit in that lighter end of the market where a lot of players want something quick and clean through the air.
he barrel itself is a straight / parallel profile, which Gav normally doesn’t love, but Red Dragon has given it enough detail to make it more interesting than a plain ring-grip dart. Up front there’s a re-grooved point, which gives a bit of tactile feel for players who lead with a finger on the point. Then you move into a slightly tapered bullnose with little milled divots, before getting to the main grip sections. The front and rear both use that same alternating ring-and-divot style grip, with lateral grooves and milled cuts that add texture without feeling overly sharp. In the middle there’s a smooth section with the etched Red Dragon logo, split off by a couple of square-cut gold grooves, which gives the whole dart a really polished, premium look.
What made this one really stand out in your review was how differently you both got on with it. Gav actually did better than expected for a parallel dart, posting a 125 and a couple of tons in the five-minute test and feeling fairly pleased considering the shape and lighter weight aren’t really his usual thing. Max absolutely clicked with them. He was smashing in 121s, 140s and two 180s in quick succession and said they reminded him of a set he used to throw during lockdown. That’s always a good sign — when a dart instantly feels familiar and repeatable, big scores tend to follow. He rated the grip only 2/5, but in a positive way: enough feel to stay controlled, rounded enough not to catch, and consistent enough to keep the release really clean.
The other thing that adds value here is the setup flexibility. Red Dragon includes the Nitro integrated system, but also gives you spare conventional stems and flights if you don’t fancy integrated flights. That makes the £80 price tag easier to swallow, because you’re not just paying for a nicely machined barrel — you’re getting options in the box. Overall, the Ascend Parallel feels like a premium, modern all-rounder: not crazy grippy, not overcomplicated, but very tidy, very usable, and in Max’s case, absolutely explosive on the board.
Point: Re-grooved point
- Stems: Nitro integrated short stem and standard flight setup included, plus extra stems in box
- Flights: Nitro integrated standard flight, with extra standard flights supplied
90% Tungsten
Overall shape: Straight / parallel barrel
Colour: Black and silver barrel with gold accent grooves
22g – 6.25 x 50.8,
23g – 6.40 x 50.8,
24g – 6.50 x 50.8
Grip type: Alternating ring grip with lateral grooves and milled divot sections
Grip zone: Front and rear grip sections repeat the same feel, with a smooth middle section
Grip rating: 2/5
The Review
Ascend Red Dragon Darts
The Red Dragon Ascend Parallel is a premium-feeling 90% tungsten straight barrel with a smart alternating milled grip, a re-grooved point, and Red Dragon’s Nitro integrated flight system included in the box.
PROS
- Premium presentation
- Clean, repeatable grip
- Great all-round balance
CONS
- Couldn't find any
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