Wicked Ridge Invader M1 Review 2026

Wicked Ridge built the Invader M1 De-Cock for hunters who want a crank, a light frame and a lighted scope without paying for TenPoint's name on the riser. It is a 5.8 lb forward-draw compound crossbow priced at $799–$899.

Wicked Ridge rates it at 390 FPS with a 370-grain arrow, and it shares its ACUdraw De-Cock crank concept with its parent-brand sibling, the Titan X De-Cock.

My verdict is 4.3 out of 5. The rated speed is sensible for the price, the crank lowers the string without firing, and at 5.8 lbs it is light for a crank crossbow. The costs are 10 FPS less than the Titan X De-Cock at a similar price, and no string dampening is listed.

This review is based on the manufacturer's specifications and how they compare with the closest rivals.

Wicked Ridge Invader M1 De-Cock Specifications

These Wicked Ridge Invader M1 specs are the manufacturer's figures for the De-Cock model.

What I Like

• A sensible rated speed. Wicked Ridge rates it at 390 FPS with a 370-grain Pro Lite arrow and 380 FPS with the included 410-grain Match 400.
• Lighter than its sibling. At 5.8 lbs it weighs less than the TenPoint Titan X De-Cock, with the same ACUdraw De-Cock crank concept.
• A crank that de-cocks safely. Wicked Ridge says the crank cocks with about 5 lbs of force and de-cocks by backwinding the handle; the cocking effort estimator shows what 190 lbs would feel like by hand or by rope instead.
• A lighted scope included. The Pro-View 400 lighted scope, three Match 400 arrows and a quiver come in the package, so you can start zeroing straight away.

Potential Drawbacks

• Above entry-level pricing. At $799–$899 it still sits above entry-level packages like the Barnett Hyper Whitetail 410.
• Slower than the TenPoint models. 390 FPS trails the Titan X De-Cock (400 FPS) and the TX Ultra 26.5 (410 FPS).
• No listed dampening. Wicked Ridge lists no string suppressors or dB rating for this model.
• Thin trigger specs. The product page gives no trigger name or pull weight.
• No manual cocking backup. The ACUdraw De-Cock system is mandatory hardware, and there is no realistic manual alternative if it were to fail.

Key Features Explained

What does the ACUdraw De-Cock crank do?

Every hunt that ends without a shot leaves the same question: what do you do with a cocked crossbow? Firing into a target block wastes a bolt and wears the string, and walking around cocked all evening is a safety concern. The crank lets you gradually lower the string to its resting position without releasing the trigger, so you can pack up a cocked crossbow at the end of a sit. The general routine is covered in how to de-cock a crossbow safely; follow your manual for this model.

How reliable is the crank in practice?

The crank is designed for de-cocking, lowering the string to rest without releasing the trigger, the same ACUdraw De-Cock concept used on the Titan X De-Cock. Cranks have moving parts, so any roughness is a reason to stop and contact the manufacturer. To see how cranks, ropes, and hand cocking differ, read how to cock a crossbow.

What do we know about the trigger?

Wicked Ridge's product page does not name the trigger or list a pull weight, so check the manual for details. The term is explained in the trigger system glossary entry.

Is the included Pro-View 400 scope any good?

The Pro-View 400 is included, with a red or green lighted reticle and aimpoints out to 70 yards.

If you are new to zeroing, how to sight in a crossbow scope walks through it.

Performance & Usability

How fast is the Invader M1 De-Cock?

Wicked Ridge rates it at 390 FPS with a 370-grain Pro Lite arrow, from a 190-lb draw weight and a 13.8-inch power stroke. With the included 410-grain Match 400 arrows the rating is 380 FPS.

Wicked Ridge lists kinetic energy of 125 ft-lbs with the 370-grain arrow and 131 ft-lbs with the 410-grain arrow. Put your own bolt weight into the kinetic energy calculator to see what arrives at the target.

For wider context on bolt speed, see how fast does a crossbow bolt travel.

What affects its accuracy?

Accuracy depends mostly on a solid scope zero, consistent bolts and a clean trigger. The included Pro-View 400 scope covers the first; match your bolts to the manufacturer's length and weight limits for the third.

How loud is it?

Wicked Ridge does not list a sound rating or any string suppressors for this model, so treat it as a normal undamped compound.

How does it handle?

At 5.8 lbs and 32 inches long, with a 9.5-inch cocked axle-to-axle width, the Invader M1 is light and compact for a crank crossbow.

Wicked Ridge says the compact profile reduces cam and limb contact in a stand or blind, which matters when you swing on a deer from a tight seat.

Who Is the Invader M1 De-Cock For?

If your budget is a crossbow under 800 dollars with crank cocking, this belongs on your shortlist at $799–$899, when it is on sale near $799.

Best suited to:

• A hunter who wants integrated crank cocking and de-cocking in a light 5.8 lb frame
• Someone who wants a lighted scope, arrows and a quiver in a complete out-of-box package
• A buyer who wants the ACUdraw De-Cock system without paying for the TenPoint name

Consider something else if:

• You want the highest rated speed or a dampened, quieter shot
• You need the narrowest possible footprint

You can compare it with the rest of the field in the compound crossbows category, or start with best crossbows under $500 and $1,000.

Invader M1 De-Cock vs Alternatives

On Wicked Ridge Invader M1 vs TenPoint Titan X: both use the ACUdraw De-Cock crank, and the Titan X is rated 10 FPS faster at 400 FPS in the same price range.

The Titan X De-Cock is the closest rival: 10 FPS faster, 1.7 lbs heavier, same scope and de-cock concept. The Phantom De-Cock moves to a short reverse draw layout at a higher price. The Hyper Whitetail 410 costs roughly half as much and relies on a rope-cocking sled, so it gives up the integrated crank and de-cocking. For how the TenPoint family compares with a rival brand, see Ravin vs TenPoint.

Invader M1 De-Cock Setup, Bolts and Ownership

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

Documented: the crossbow, the ACUdraw De-Cock crank system, the Pro-View 400 lighted scope, three Match 400 carbon arrows and a quiver. No case is listed. Because the crank is part of the crossbow, you do not need the separate TenPoint ACUdraw accessory. The 390 FPS rating uses a 370-grain Pro Lite arrow; the included Wicked Ridge Match 400 arrows are rated at 380 FPS. Confirm length and weight limits in the manual before you order spares.

Setting it up and the first range session

1. Read the manual first, including the de-cock steps, before the first cocking cycle.
2. Zero the included Pro-View 400 scope, using the guide linked above if it is your first zero.
3. Practise cocking and de-cocking at the range before the season, following the manual only.
4. Shoot groups at the distances you expect to hunt, and only take shots at ranges where your groups stay tight.
5. Write down the bolt weight you zeroed with, since a different bolt can change both speed and point of impact.

Head-to-head with the closest rivals

The Titan X De-Cock is the closest match, and the Hyper Whitetail 410 is the budget alternative for hunters who can live without a crank.

A worked example: what the crank adds over the budget option

Against the Hyper Whitetail 410, the price gap is about $399 at the low end ($799 minus $399.99) and about $499 at the high end ($899 minus $399.99). For that money the rated speed is 20 FPS lower (390 against 410), and what you gain is an integrated crank and a way to de-cock without firing. It is also 1.8 lbs lighter (5.8 against 7.6). If you will cock a handful of times a season, the cheaper crossbow can make sense. If you hunt long sits and cock repeatedly, the crank is the point of this crossbow.

Symptoms and what to do

The crank is mandatory hardware here, so treat any problem with it as a reason to stop shooting. Routine care is in how to maintain a crossbow.

Value for Money

At $799–$899, the Invader M1 De-Cock lists in the same range as the TenPoint Titan X De-Cock ($849–$949) and shares the ACUdraw De-Cock concept and Pro-View 400 scope. The Titan X De-Cock is 10 FPS faster; the Invader M1 is 1.7 lbs lighter and an inch shorter. The budget-tier Barnett Hyper Whitetail 410 costs roughly half as much and is faster, but the Invader M1's integrated crank and de-cocking are a step up from a manual rope-cocking sled. It is the budget alternative in my best TenPoint crossbows ranking.

The value case rests on the package: a sensible rated speed, integrated de-cocking, a light frame and an included scope, arrows and quiver. My rule: if carry weight matters more than 10 FPS, buy the Invader M1; if speed matters more, the Titan X costs about the same. If you would rather have the quietest shot at this price, neither it nor the Titan X is the answer, and a dampened crossbow will cost more.

Outside TenPoint's family, the CenterPoint Wrath 430 offers more speed for similar money without a de-cocking system, which is the trade-off most buyers at this price are weighing.

Where the Wicked Ridge Invader M1 ranks

The Wicked Ridge Invader M1 earned a place in Best Crossbows for Women in 2026 (#3), Best Crossbows Under $500 and $1,000 in 2026 (#5) and Best Crossbows for Deer Hunting in 2026 (#4), where it is scored against every other model reviewed for that use. For a direct head-to-head, see Forward-Draw vs Reverse-Draw Crossbows, Wicked Ridge vs TenPoint: Which to Buy, Ravin vs TenPoint Crossbows Compared (2026) and Crossbow vs Compound Bow Compared (2026). It also comes up in Best TenPoint Crossbows in 2026, Ranked, Crossbow Won't Fire? Problems & Fixes, How to Decock a Crossbow Safely (2026) and Best Crossbows for Beginners in 2026.