Quick answer: The Warping Point Nightblade comes in two $149.99 versions that share an elongated 16mm shell. The 001 uses an MPP foam core and TPE edge for power and speed. The 002 uses an EPP core and EVA edge for stability. Neither is USA Pickleball approved, so check your event’s rules before you buy.
The 30-second version
- Same shell, two cores. Face, shape, thickness, handle and price all match. The core and edge are what change.
- $149.99 each. That’s about $45 under the $195 median for the MPP and EPP foam paddles in our catalog.
- Tournament catch: Warping Point lists neither as USAP certified. The 001 is UPA-A certified. The 002 is not.
- Our catalog backs the split, partly. All 17 measured 16mm MPP paddles are classed Power, against 73 of 102 EPP paddles.
- No lab numbers yet. We have no independent measurements on either Nightblade.
The Nightblade gives you two versions of one build, which makes it a clean way to look at a question I hear a lot from New England players: does the foam itself change anything?
What is the Warping Point Nightblade?
The Warping Point Nightblade is a pair of full-foam paddles: the Nightblade 001 and Nightblade 002. The Dink covered the lineup on October 30, and the specs below come from Warping Point’s own 001 and 002 product pages. Warping Point’s Sophon, also $149.99, is already in our catalog.
How are the Nightblade 001 and 002 different?
Only the core, the edge foam and the certifications differ. Everything else on the spec sheet is identical, including the price.
| Spec | Nightblade 001 | Nightblade 002 |
|---|---|---|
| Core | MPP foam | EPP foam |
| Edge foam | TPE | EVA |
| Pitched as | Speed, quick energy return | Stability, ball pocketing |
| USAP certified | No | No |
| UPA-A certified | Yes | No |
| Shared by both | 16.5 x 7.5 in, 16mm, 5.5 in handle, 7.9-8.2 oz, carbon-fiberglass-carbon face, $149.99 | |
Does MPP foam really play hotter than EPP?
Partly. In our catalog the category label follows the core, but swing numbers barely move. We compared 16mm full-foam paddles by the core each brand lists. The measurements come from Pickleball Studio and/or John Kew, not our own testing.
| 16mm full foam | Paddles | Classed Power | Median swing weight | Median twist weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPP, all shapes | 17 | 17 (100%) | 114 | 6.23 |
| EPP, all shapes | 102 | 73 (72%) | 112 | 6.42 |
| MPP, elongated | 10 | 10 (100%) | 117 | 6.14 |
| EPP, elongated | 42 | 31 (74%) | 118 | 6.05 |
The takeaway: no MPP paddle in this group landed in All-Court or Control, while about a quarter of the EPP paddles did. That fits Warping Point’s pitch, but most EPP paddles are classed Power too, so EPP doesn’t guarantee a softer paddle. Among elongated shapes, swing and twist weight are nearly identical. The MPP group is also small.
Can you use the Nightblade in tournaments?
Only at some events. Warping Point’s product pages list “USAP Certified: No” for both paddles, and the 001 as UPA-A certified while the 002 isn’t. Events run under USA Pickleball rules require a paddle on its approved list, so check that list before you register. Our paddle rules guide explains how the two certifications differ. For open play at your local court, neither listing should matter.
Is $150 a good price for a foam paddle?
Yes, though it isn’t the floor. Of the 200 priced MPP and EPP foam paddles in our catalog, the median is $195, and 36 cost $150 or less, some as low as about $110. See our foam-core paddle guide for models with a longer track record.
Warping Point sells with a 30-day trial and a one-year limited warranty on manufacturing defects. Normal wear, and chips on edgeless paddles, aren’t covered. We have no discount code or partnership with Warping Point.
Which Nightblade should you pick?
Pick by how you play and where you compete, since the two paddles cost the same and nobody has published lab numbers on them.
- Pick the 001 if you attack early, speed up often and want the version aimed at quick hands.
- Pick the 002 if you value blocks and resets, based on how Warping Point describes its stability.
- Pick neither yet if you need USAP approval. Use the Paddle Finder to find an approved match, or line up options in our compare tool.
New England players moving indoors for winter should note that both are elongated, a shape covered in our elongated paddle guide. Until independent numbers land, treat the marketing as a starting point, and use our swing weight explainer to read them.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Warping Point Nightblade cost?
Both the Nightblade 001 and 002 are listed at $149.99 on Warping Point’s site, with free shipping on orders over $50.
What is the difference between the Nightblade 001 and 002?
The 001 pairs an MPP core with a TPE edge for quicker energy return. The 002 pairs an EPP core with an EVA edge for stability. The shape, thickness, handle and face are the same.
Is the Warping Point Nightblade USAP approved?
No. Warping Point lists both versions as not USAP certified. The 001 is listed as UPA-A certified, and the 002 is not.
How heavy is the Warping Point Nightblade?
Warping Point lists both versions in a 7.9 to 8.2 ounce midweight range. We have no independent weight measurement yet.
Does the Nightblade have an edge guard?
Yes. Both product pages list the paddles as having an edge guard.
Sources: Warping Point product pages for the Nightblade 001 and Nightblade 002; The Dink. Catalog counts are ours, de-duplicated, using measurements independently taken by Pickleball Studio and/or John Kew.
