A new goalie head with a pro's name behind it always gets attention, but attention isn't the same as a good buy. Warrior built the Answer with PLL and Team Canada goalie Brett Dobson, positioning it as the biggest upgrade to the Nemesis QS line the brand has released. The question for goalies shopping in 2026 is simpler than the marketing: does the Answer actually help you stop the ball and start the clear faster, and is it worth the price over what else is on the shelf?
We carry the Warrior Answer at our Orangeville store and online, in both pre-strung and unstrung setups, so this review breaks down what the head actually does well, where it falls short, and who should buy it.
What Is the Warrior Answer?
The Answer is Warrior's current signature field goalie head, developed directly with Brett Dobson's input as one of the top professional goalies in the game today. Warrior describes it as the most complete rework of the Nemesis QS platform they've shipped, with changes aimed squarely at the two moments that decide games: the save itself, and the outlet pass that follows it.
It's legal for NCAA, NFHS, Lacrosse Canada, and World Lacrosse men's field play, so there's no sanctioning concern for high school, club, or university goalies picking one up.
Brett Dobson's involvement is worth noting on its own — he's a professional goalie in the PLL and a Team Canada international, which is a different level of input than a head designed purely by an equipment engineer. That doesn't automatically make a head great, but it does mean the design choices below were shaped by someone who has to live with the trade-offs in real games, not just in a lab.
Key Features Breakdown
Advanced Stiffness Construction
The head uses a stiffness-focused construction built to resist backbend on shots over 100 mph. In practical terms, that means the face of the head holds its shape instead of flexing backward on a hard outside shot, which keeps the pocket channel consistent save after save. A head that backbends under pressure changes the angle the ball comes off the mesh, so this is the feature that matters most for goalies who see a lot of high-velocity outside shooting.
Longer Throat for Outlet Passing
Warrior lengthened the throat compared to the Nemesis QS and adjusted the throw characteristics so goalies can fire an accurate outlet immediately after the save, without resetting their grip or shifting their hands. For a goalie, the save is only half the job — a clean, fast outlet is what actually starts a fast break, and this is the design change most clearly aimed at that.
Specialized Ball Stop
A built-in ball stop locks the ball into the head on the catch, which reduces the odds of a bobble or a loose ball sitting in the crease after what should have been a clean save. It's a small feature, but it shows up in game situations where a rebound off the stick — rather than a controlled catch — turns a stop into a scramble.
Wide Face Profile
The broad face maximizes blocking surface, which helps on high shots, bounce shots, and hard drives to the crease where coverage matters more than finesse. It's built to remain within legal head-width specifications while still giving goalies as much surface area as the rules allow.
Integrated Finger Locator
A molded finger locator on the throat improves grip consistency, so your hand lands in the same spot rep after rep. It's a comfort feature more than a performance one, but consistent hand placement does feed into the outlet-passing accuracy Warrior is chasing with the longer throat.
Pre-Strung vs. Unstrung: Which Should You Buy?
We stock the Answer in two formats, and the right one depends on how particular you are about your pocket.
| Format | Pre-Strung (White) | Unstrung (Gold / White / Black) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.99 CAD | $169.99 CAD |
| Mesh | Comes strung with white goalie mesh, game-ready | None included — string it yourself or have it done |
| Best for | Goalies who want to play immediately, no stringing wait | Goalies with a specific pocket depth, mesh type, or stringer preference |
| Warranty | Standard Warrior warranty | 6-month Warrior warranty |
The pre-strung Answer makes sense if you need a head in play right away and don't have strong opinions on mesh — it comes ready to go straight out of the box. The unstrung Answer is the better call if you already know your ideal pocket depth or you're working with a stringer, since it hands you full control over mesh choice and channel. If you're unsure which mesh actually fits your style, our mesh types guide breaks down the differences before you commit to a stringing job.
Currently, the unstrung version is in stock in Gold — White and Black unstrung colorways sell through fast and are worth checking before you plan around a specific color.
How the Answer Compares to the Nemesis QS
Warrior positions the Answer as a direct successor to its Nemesis QS goalie head, not a separate product line. The core upgrades are the longer throat for outlet mechanics, the added ball stop, and the stiffer construction aimed at eliminating backbend on the hardest outside shots. If you've played a Nemesis QS before, the Answer will feel familiar in hand but noticeably more locked-in on high-velocity shots and quicker to get an outlet pass off cleanly.
Is the Warrior Answer Still Worth It in 2026?
For goalies who face a steady diet of hard outside shooting — club, prep, or university level — the stiffness upgrade alone justifies the head. Backbend under a 100+ mph shot is a real problem at that level, and a head that holds its channel through the hardest shots on the schedule is doing its job.
The outlet-passing improvements are the more understated selling point. A lot of goalie gear gets marketed around the save, but games are increasingly decided in transition, and a head that lets you fire a clean outlet without adjusting your grip is a genuine edge on the clear.
Where it's less essential: a rec-league or younger developmental goalie who isn't facing high-velocity shooting yet may not notice the stiffness benefit as much, and could be just as well served by a lighter, less expensive head while they're still building fundamentals. For that stage, pairing any solid head with properly fitted gear matters more than the head itself — our goalie sizing guide is a good starting point.
On price, the unstrung Answer sits in the mid-to-upper range for a signature goalie head, and the pre-strung version costs more mainly because you're paying for the stringing labour and mesh, not a different head. If budget is the deciding factor and you're comfortable stringing your own pocket or already have a stringer, the unstrung version gets you the same performance upgrades for less.
Caring for the Head
A stiffer construction helps the head resist backbend, but it doesn't make it indestructible. Rinse off turf debris and sweat after games rather than letting it sit in a bag, and avoid leaving the head in a hot car or trunk for extended periods — repeated heat exposure is one of the more common ways any plastic lacrosse head warps over a season. If you're stringing it yourself, check the ball stop and sidewall tension periodically, since a loosening pocket will undercut the outlet-passing accuracy that's the head's main selling point.
Stringing & Setup Tips
If you go the unstrung route, pocket depth and channel width matter more on a goalie head than on a field player's stick, since you're prioritizing consistent rebounds and clean catches over whip. A slightly higher pocket generally helps with control on in-tight shots, while a lower pocket can help absorb velocity on hard outside shots — our guide to shooting strings covers how shooter placement affects rebound control if you're stringing a goalie head for the first time.
Whichever head you land on, it's only one piece of the kit. If you're also due for new leg pads or an upper, our Boddam goalie gear guide covers the protective side, and our Cat 2 vs Cat 3 gear guide explains when it's actually time to upgrade your pads rather than just your head.
If you want to see how the Answer stacks up against other current goalie heads on the market, our Eclipse 3 vs. Prime Elite comparison is a good next read.
FAQ
Is the Warrior Answer legal for high school and college play?
Yes. It meets NCAA, NFHS, Lacrosse Canada, and World Lacrosse men's field specifications and is approved for sanctioned play.
Should I buy the pre-strung or unstrung version?
Buy pre-strung if you want to play immediately without waiting on a stringing job. Buy unstrung if you already know your preferred pocket depth and mesh, or plan to have a stringer set it up to your exact specs.
Is the Warrior Answer only for field lacrosse?
The Answer is built and specced for field lacrosse. Goalies playing box need a head that meets box-specific dimensions and rules — check with your league before stringing a field head for box play.
How does the Answer compare to the Nemesis QS?
The Answer is Warrior's direct upgrade to the Nemesis QS, adding a longer throat for outlet passing, a dedicated ball stop, and stiffer construction to resist backbend on hard outside shots.
Do I need a new head every season?
Not necessarily. A goalie head that hasn't warped, cracked, or lost its shape can usually go multiple seasons — it's more often the mesh or the pocket that needs attention. Restringing is a lot cheaper than replacing the head outright.
Does the Warrior Answer come in box lacrosse dimensions?
The Answer reviewed here is built and specced for field lacrosse. Box goalies should confirm any head meets their league's box-specific width and depth rules before stringing it up for indoor play.
Ready to see it in person or get help picking a setup? Shop the full field goalie heads collection or stop by our shop at 56 Broadway in Orangeville.
Written by the Sanderson Lacrosse Gear Team.
