TenPoint Nemesis Broadhead Review 2026

A mechanical broadhead that opens in two stages adds complexity, and the TenPoint Nemesis is built to justify it with a 3.75-inch total cut that grows as the head goes deeper. It is a 100-grain hybrid mechanical head sold three to a pack for $49–$79.

My verdict is 4.6 out of 5. Staged deployment worked as designed in my layered test media, the blade lock held through flight, and the head grouped closely with my field points. You pay a premium and accept more moving parts than a fixed blade.

On impact, two front blades make a 2-inch entry cut. The two rear blades then open for an additional 1.75 inches. I ran a two-week protocol to verify both the staged-deployment mechanism and the flight-accuracy claim.

TenPoint Nemesis Broadhead Specifications

What I Like

• Staged deployment that works as designed. In my testing a clean 2-inch entry cut was followed by the rear blades opening for a larger 1.75-inch exit wound.
• A blade lock that holds. The O-Ring/Band system kept the rear blades securely closed in flight, with no premature deployment.
• Consistent, clean entry. The hardened steel chisel point gave clean, consistent entry through my test media, in line with TenPoint's accuracy claim versus typical mechanical designs.
• Drop-in balance. At 100 grains the head worked with standard bolt inserts without balance adjustments.
• Strong build under impact. The 7075 T6 aluminum ferrule and .036-inch 420 stainless steel blades kept their structural integrity across my impact testing.

Potential Drawbacks

• A premium price. At $49–$79 for a three-pack it costs more than basic fixed-blade options.
• More moving parts. As a mechanical broadhead it has more potential failure points than a simple fixed blade, even with the blade-lock system.
• Retrieval takes more care. Recovering arrows with fully deployed blades from dense target material required more care than with fixed-blade heads.
• A less intuitive spec. The 3.75-inch total cut comes from staged deployment and not a single large cut, which is harder to judge on a spec sheet.

Key Features Explained

How does staged deployment work?

Most mechanical broadheads open all their blades at once on impact, which can happen before the head has penetrated tough hide and bone. The Nemesis cuts a smaller entry wound first and opens the rear blades only after passing through the rib cage. In my testing this sequencing improved penetration consistency compared with all-at-once designs.

Does it fly like a field point?

TenPoint cites independent testing that ranks the Nemesis as the most accurate head among more than 50 models tested, crediting the hardened steel chisel point and aerodynamic profile. That is TenPoint's claim and I did not verify the ranking. In my side-by-side shooting it grouped closely with field points at matched distances, which matters to hunters whose mechanical heads have flown differently from their practice points.

What does the O-Ring/Band blade lock do?

The lock holds the rear blades folded until impact. It kept them closed across the distances and shot angles I tried, which is a safety and performance requirement for any mechanical broadhead.

What is it made of?

The ferrule is 7075 T6 aluminum, the blades are .036-inch 420 stainless steel, and the point is hardened steel. The chisel point supports entry through hide, and the stainless blades carry the cutting edges. The glossary entry for broadhead covers the terms.

Performance & Usability

How does it penetrate and deploy?

My layered test media confirmed the design claim. The front two blades made a clean 2-inch entry cut, and the rear two opened only after passing simulated rib-cage resistance, delivering the full 1.75-inch additional cut deeper into the target.

How accurate is it compared with field points?

Compared side by side with field points, the Nemesis grouped closely at matched distances. I saw none of the flight-accuracy penalty I have found on other mechanical broadheads, so the larger wound channel does not cost accuracy. For tuning, how to sight in a crossbow scope helps you confirm point of impact.

Is the blade lock reliable?

The O-Ring/Band system held the rear blades securely folded throughout my flight testing at various distances and angles, with no premature deployment.

How durable is it?

The ferrule and blades showed strong structural integrity across repeated impacts, and the chisel point kept a sharp, consistent entry throughout.

What is retrieval and handling like?

Recovering arrows with fully deployed blades from dense target material took more deliberate handling than with a fixed-blade head. It never damaged the arrow or the blades in my testing, but it is worth planning for after a session.

How should I set it up and practice?

Confirm your bolt's insert threading matches the Nemesis's standard mounting before your first hunt. I did not test it on specific bolt models, so check the fit yourself, including total arrow weight against your crossbow's rated range. Take a few practice shots with the actual broadhead, not just field points, to confirm point of impact and flight consistency. How to choose crossbow bolts explains compatibility, and bolts such as the Wicked Ridge Match 400 or TenPoint CenterPunch HPX are reviewed on the site, though I have not documented testing them with this head.

How should I care for it?

Check the O-Ring/Band lock before each hunt to confirm the rear blades are folded and ready. After recovery, inspect both sets of blades separately for damage or dulling, and replace bent or dull blades rather than sharpening the thin stainless edges in the field.

Who Is the Nemesis Broadhead For?

Best suited to:

• A hunter who wants a mechanical broadhead's larger wound channel without losing field-point accuracy
• Someone hunting game where deep, reliable penetration through hide and bone matters
• A shooter comfortable with mechanical broadhead maintenance and inspection between hunts

Consider something else if:

• You prefer the simplicity of a fixed blade with no moving parts
• You are on a tighter budget

Browse the wider range in the crossbow accessories hub, or read the guides to broadheads for deer hunting and fixed-blade broadheads.

Nemesis vs Alternatives

The Ravin R102 is priced a little lower with a 2-inch cut and a design built around high speed, so it suits Ravin shooters. Fixed blades cost less and have nothing to fail. The Nemesis sits between them for hunters who want a larger staged cut and field-point flight.

Nemesis Compatibility, Setup and Ownership

What is in the pack, and what else do you need?

A pack holds three 100-grain Nemesis broadheads. Nothing else is documented in the file, so check the listing for spare blades or a wrench. What you must bring is a bolt with a compatible insert and a crossbow whose manual permits the total arrow weight. The mounting thread is described in my notes only as standard, so confirm it against your bolt's insert instead of assuming. My balance observation was that a 100-grain head worked with standard bolt inserts without balance adjustments. I did not test it on any particular bolt model.

Compatibility, as documented

The bolts reviewed on this site that you might pair with it are the Wicked Ridge Match 400 (20 inches, 400 grains, 46-grain aluminum insert) and the Lighted Pro Elite 400 (20 inches, 410 grains, 58-grain aluminum insert). I have not documented testing either with this head, so treat that as a candidate list and verify thread, weight and your crossbow's rated range yourself. The Ravin R102 is the alternative for Ravin owners. Read how to choose crossbow bolts before mixing parts.

Setting up and practising

1. Confirm thread and total arrow weight against your manual.
2. Shoot the broadhead itself, not only field points, to find the point of impact, using how to sight in a crossbow scope as the process.
3. Check that the O-Ring/Band lock holds the rear blades folded before every shot.
4. Keep one head for practice and treat it as spent after hard impacts.
5. Handle the blades with care at all times. Keep the pack closed when you are not working on the arrows.

Head-to-head with the rivals

A worked example: the cut and the cost

The staged cut is 2 inches at entry plus 1.75 inches from the rear blades, which is 3.75 inches in total. The rear blades therefore add 1.75 inches to a 2-inch entry, about 88 percent more than the entry alone. The Ravin R102 is listed at a 2-inch cut. On price, three heads for $49–$79 is $16.33 to $26.33 each. If you use one head to confirm point of impact, you have two left for hunting, which is the sort of count worth planning before the season. For the wider decision, see broadheads for deer hunting.

Symptoms and what to do

Budget for the kinetic energy your crossbow delivers as well, since the head's cut only matters if the bolt carries enough energy. My notes do not give an energy figure for this head, so put your crossbow's measured speed and total arrow weight into the kinetic energy calculator to see what the head will arrive with.

Value for Money

At $49–$79 for a three-pack, the Nemesis costs more than a basic fixed-blade broadhead ($30–$50) and somewhat more than a standard all-at-once mechanical design ($35–$60). The Ravin broadhead I also reviewed is priced lower but has a smaller cut and is built around a speed rating. In return the Nemesis gives a 3.75-inch staged cut, larger than the cutting diameter of many fixed-blade heads, while matching field-point accuracy in my testing.

The deciding question is whether staged deployment is worth the added mechanical complexity over a fixed blade. For hunters who already trust mechanical broadheads and want a large, reliable cut without an accuracy penalty, the premium is justified. Budget-conscious hunters, and those who want zero moving parts, will be better served by a fixed-blade option.

Where the TenPoint Nemesis Broadhead ranks

The TenPoint Nemesis Broadhead earned a place in Best Crossbow Broadheads for Deer 2026 (#1), where it is scored against every other model I tested for that use. It also comes up in Fixed-Blade Broadheads for Crossbows and How Much Does a Crossbow Cost?.