Li Ning Axforce 100 Gen 2 Vs Gen 1
In 2023 Li-Ning launched AxForce 100 under the Qilin name — the AxForce line's "peak of attack." Flowing colour and rich texture made it stand out on court. Spe…
Overview
In 2023 Li-Ning launched AxForce 100 under the Qilin name — the AxForce line's "peak of attack." Flowing colour and rich texture made it stand out on court. Specs were stacked too: 6.0 mm shaft, M50+T1100 carbon. Once you can drive it, the violence shows. Two years on, gen two arrives with a "hundred beasts" theme — "gather strengths into one racket" — inheriting gen-one attack DNA while reforging that peak. Frame Energy Storage Damping System — High-elastic polymer inside the carbon layers stores energy in the swing, releases stronger rebound on contact, and absorbs shock fast after the hit. 6.2 mm Slim High-Elastic Biomimetic UHB Shaft — Built from player data and ergonomics tuning to raise the bend point and smash quality. Toray M46+T1100, 6.2 mm slim profile: anti-torque up, elasticity strong, downward press sharper. Wing Constant System — Aviation-inspired: at the moment of deformation, the frame resets precisely, cuts face wobble, and keeps the second hit fast and stable. Boost Kinetic System — High-modulus, high-elastic carbon plus Li-Ning's process, tuned from player feedback, reshapes the bend profile for stronger attack. Unlike gen-one champagne gold, gen two goes deeper green — more low-key until you turn it. Electric green, ink blue, yellow accents. Like predator eyes in a night jungle: aggressive, still alive. On control, gen-two's hold helps placement — reverse slice especially. Feedback is very clear. The new shaft transfers force fast and complete across power ranges. At 6.2 mm it is still thin; the T-area change lifts anti-torque a lot. Control feels clearly more manageable than gen one. 4U's shaft feels stiffer than 3U with more head weight — 4U smashes need more from you; 3U borrows easier. Both specs have a high attack ceiling. 3U is lower barrier, but costs more stamina long-term. 3U suits singles: heavier smash, easier borrow. 4U balances singles and doubles — full smash needs more power, but spot kills are easier than 3U; chop smash is similar. Both feel solid; quick small-force work favours 4U, big-force attack favours 3U. Box frame does not add swing speed. You need strength and stamina; 3U demands more fitness than 4U. With enough power, flat-drive returns stay accurate and deep. Net front needs less swing speed. Excellent shaft transfer makes brush, push, and spin smooth and solid. Buy advice: gen two leans singles. 4U for strong singles players is a fierce attack tool; also works for doubles rear court with strong attack and non-dragging front-mid. 3U is heavier but more solid and borrow-friendly — best for clear-drop-attack singles style.
Racket Technology
Composite Power Frame Design — Eight-pin head design shifts balance forward for more downward inertia. Optimised 5, 7, and T-joint points push attack further.
Racket Paint Analysis
AxForce has used beast motifs since the 90 line — dragon, tiger, Qilin. Gen two merges Qilin glare, tiger pounce, leopard strike, wolf crouch into flame texture. Beast aura, killing mood.
Detailed Experience
I tested gen two against gen one. Both are attack rackets. Gen-two changes: 72 to 76 holes (higher theoretical bed pressure), T-area lower frame from rounded to flat, shaft 6.0 to 6.2 mm, plus internal tweaks — damping material and carbon swaps.
On-Court Feel
3U and 4U, both strung Li-Ning N68 attack line. Gen one same setup. Multiple sessions, multiple scenarios.
Clears: Solid, Placement Accurate
On drive tests, gen-two contact feels plainly solid — not gen-one's crisp instant-off. Seventy-six holes do not feel harder than 72; the shuttle sits on the bed briefly. Not "eat ball" — store, then catapult. Speed and depth track your effort. Gen-two feedback is more solid, direction more accurate. Elasticity is similar, but gen two is softer and more comfortable thanks to damping and frame tweaks.
Attack: Continuous, Press Strong
As the new "attack peak," smash feel keeps the series trait — solid with strong downward press. Pure violence? Gen one still wins. But gen one's 6.0 mm shaft is harder to master. Gen two chains easier and asks less of you — close to "easy mode" — yet smashes still hit hard. Anti-torque and elastic tuning land most smashes mid-court.
Midcourt and Defence
Gen two is easier than gen one despite similar swing weight. Faster, smoother force transfer; softer, easier-borrow shaft — flat drives come out excellent.
Summary and Buy Advice
Overall feel is similar to gen one. The core shift is a lower entry bar. On top of strong attack, everything else improves — force transfer, control clarity, flat drives, borrow on smash and clear. Less extreme violence than gen one, but better feel and endurance. Easier to drive; more of an "accessible" attack racket.