How to play Axie Infinity: a beginner’s guide

Axie Infinity is one of the most prominent blockchain games available in the market today. With Pokemon-inspired concepts and various play-to-earn (P2E) features, the game boasts over a million players, many of which are making money while having fun.  

In this beginner’s guide, you will learn what Axie Infinity is, how to play Axie Infinity, and how you can make money playing the popular blockchain game.

What is Axie Infinity?

Axie Infinity is an NFT-powered online game that was developed by Sky Mavis – a blockchain development company specializing in developing games with player-owned economies. 

Axie Infinity is a Pokemon-inspired, blockchain-based, play-to-earn game where gamers are able to collect virtual creatures in the form of NFTs known as Axies.

The game features most of the card-based elements found in the Pokemon games. However, the major difference is that Axie Infinity incorporates NFTs, making it possible for players to not only have complete ownership of their Axies but can also monetize them. 

Players can either purchase or borrow three Axies from the in-house marketplace before they can commence playing the game. This provides an avenue for existing players to sell the Axies they have been breeding to other players and make a profit.

For a chance to win crypto tokens, players pit their creatures against each other. The tokens can then be exchanged for other digital currencies and, eventually, fiat currencies. 

Axie Infinity uses two different coins – Axie Infinity Shard (AXS) and Small Love Potion (SLP). Players receive SLP tokens as a reward for every battle they win playing the game, while AXS tokens are given as a reward to the best players from all of the game’s seasons. While the AXS tokens have a limited supply, the SLP tokens have an unlimited supply, with most players preferring to swap their SLPs for AXS given the limited supply.

Now that we know what Axie Infinity is, let’s take a look at the game’s characters – called Axies – before we dive into how to play Axie Infinity.

What is an Axie?

Axies are Pokemon-like NFT-based characters with unique fighting capabilities and traits. 

Players are able to collect, breed, nurture, as well as sell these creatures depending on their rarity. An Axie’s worth is determined by its traits which include its abilities, body parts, and stats. Additionally, each Axie comes with its own set of powers.

Before buying an Axie, you have to understand the basics of each creature. For this, you will need to set your triangle, or any other assault or defense formations, based on the nine classes of Axies – Aquatic, Beast, Bird, Bug, Dawn, Dust, Mech, Plant, and Reptile. 

Each Axie has six different traits which add up to four points to its base statistics. Each Axie can reach up to 165 stats points. These statistics can be broken down into four categories:

• Health Points (HP) – this represents the life energy of your Axie and increases your Axie’s health points. The more HP you have, the longer you can last in a game.
• Morale – this is a critical strike chance that increases the damage you can inflict on your competitors. Morale also determines your Axie’s chances for last stand turns (a temporary life extension after your Health Points run out).
• Skill – the more skillful your Axie, the more damage it can inflict. Skill also generates an additional shield for your Axie when you play your cards in a combo.
• Speed – this determines your Axies turn orders when it’s time to attack. Axies with more speed end up attacking first on each round until they get defeated.

The price of an Axie can be anywhere between a few dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. For example, back in 2020, an Axie known as ‘Angel’ that had a triple mystic trait was sold for 300 ETH.

It’s important to choose your first Axie carefully if you want to stand a chance of winning.

Axie classes types

Axie Infinity is structured around the notion of “classes”, an integral part of its design. Nine unique classes exist in Axie Infinity, each with specific traits, strengths, and drawbacks.

These classes are grouped into three sets, shaping rock-paper-scissors combat dynamics where a group either inflicts or sustains 15% additional damage to another group.

Every class exhibits varying stat values, dictating the max stat growth. Every Axie has 140 base stat points distributed across four stats: Health, Speed, Skill, and Morale.

• Health sets the Axie’s hit points, with higher HP indicating it can absorb more damage before being defeated. 

• Speed, an important stat, establishes the Axie’s turn order, with quicker Axies striking first. 

• Skill enhances damage when an Axie employs multiple skills in one turn (combos).

• Morale influences the chance of critical hits and frequently activates the “Last Stand” status.
  

Let’s delve into the specifics of each class:

Aquatic Axies

Aquatic Axies, balanced combatants of the Axie universe, strike a harmonious balance between speed and health, making them perfect mid-laners who can deliver powerful strikes and absorb significant damage.

When all their body parts are Aquatic class-based, they reach their peak potential, earning +3 speed and +1 HP for each aquatic part they hold. They also inflict 10% additional damage and shield using aquatic cards and abilities.

Their strength lies against Mech, Bug, and Beast classes but is vulnerable against Plant, Dusk, and Reptile classes.

Beast Axies

Beast Axies, in contrast, represents the risk-takers in the game. They possess high morale and average speed, with access to cards/abilities that deliver high damage and combo chains.

Despite their lower HP, their high morale permits them to activate “Last Stands frequently” and have greater chances of inflicting critical hits.

When all their body parts are Beast class-based, they earn +3 Morale and +1 Speed for each beast part they own and inflict 10% additional damage and shield when using Beast cards and abilities.

They are strong against Reptile, Dusk, and Plant but are vulnerable against Aquatic, Dawn, and Bird.

Bird Axies

Bird Axies are Axie Infinity’s speed demons. With the game’s top speed and considerable damage output, they’re typically positioned as backliners to shield them from direct enemy assaults.

Their low HP, however, makes them susceptible, and a savvy opponent can easily eliminate them. When all their body parts belong to the Bird class, they earn +3 Speed and +1 Morale for each Bird part they possess and inflict 10% additional damage and shield when using Bird cards and abilities.

They are strong against Mech, Bug, and Beast but vulnerable against Plant, Dusk, and Reptile classes.

Bug Axies

Bug Axies serve as game disruptors. With average stats, they shine in disrupting enemy teams with various debuffs and debilitating effects.

When all their body parts are Bug class-based, they earn +3 morale and +1 HP for each Bug part they possess and inflict 10% additional damage and shield when using Bug cards and abilities.

They are strong against Reptile, Dusk, and Plant but are vulnerable against Aquatic, Dawn, and Bird.

Plant Axies

Notably endowed with robust health and admirable morale, these Axies serve as frontline warriors, providing a bulwark for their allies. Their resilience stems from their defensive capabilities that generate high shield values and even self-healing. 

When every part of their structure is from the Plant Class, they receive a +3 health boost and +1 morale for each plant part they encompass, enhancing damage and shield output by 10% when employing Plant cards and abilities. 

Their strength shines against Bird, Dawn, and Aquatic classes, but they struggle against Mech, Beast, and Bug.

Reptile Axies

Embodying the philosophy “patience is a virtue”, Reptile Class Axies wield ample health, fair speed, and morale statistics. Their versatility shines in their capacity to apply debilitating effects and endure enemy onslaughts. 

When completely comprised of Reptile Class parts, they acquire a +3 health bonus and an extra +1 stat for each Reptile component they incorporate, bolstering damage and shield generation by 10% when Reptile cards and abilities are deployed. 

They excel against Bird, Dawn, and Aquatic but falter against Mech, Beast, and Bug.

Transitioning to the rare and sought-after Mech, Dusk, and Dawn classes, these offspring of purebred Axies may lack unique parts, but they still benefit from half of the bonuses when adopting features from their progenitor Axies.

Dawn Axies

Dawn Class Axies, borne of a purebred Plant Axie and Bird Axie union, boast impressive skill statistics and moderate health, speed, and morale. Many Dawn Axies in the marketplace come equipped with a full set of Bird components. 

Their strength is apparent against Mech, Bug, and Beast classes, while their vulnerabilities lie against Plant, Dusk, and Reptile classes.

Mech Axies

Mech Class Axies, resulting from the marriage of a purebred Beast and Bug Axie, possess considerable skills, decent health, and speed. They may lack morale, but their powerful attacks compensate for it, especially during combo unleashes. 

Their strength is noteworthy against Reptile, Dusk, and Plant classes but disadvantaged against the Aquatic, Dawn, and Bird classes.

Dusk Axies

Dusk Class Axies, a progeny of a Reptile Axie and a purebred Aquatic Axie union, carry impressive health and an above-average speed stat. Many Dusk builds on the marketplace come fully equipped with Aquatic parts. 

Their might is evident against Bird, Dawn, and Aquatic classes, but they have weaknesses against the Dusk, Plant, and Reptile classes.

Keep in mind

Ultimately, your choice of class is dictated by your strategic preferences and gaming style. Would you favor the balanced approach of the Aquatic class, the Beast class’s daring tactics, or the Bug class’s cunning strategies? Or are you more intrigued by the rarity and potential of the secret classes?

The winning formula in Axie Infinity lies in comprehending the pros and cons of each class and tactically leveraging them. Therefore, select your Axies with discretion, strategize your moves diligently, and let your luck shine in the Axie arena!

How to play Axie Infinity

First, you must install a digital wallet, such as MetaMask, and load it with Ethereum (ETH), the cryptocurrency the game requires.

Once you have the above, go to Axie Infinity’s website, click “Play now” and “Getting Started.” 

You will be redirected to create a Ronin Wallet, as seen below. You can add it as an extension on your browser or mobile app. 

The next step will require you to buy three Axies so that you can start playing. You have two options on how to buy Axies. You can either buy Axies from the marketplace or apply for a scholarship. The latter option will enable you to rent Axies without purchasing them. 

Before proceeding to the marketplace, click on “Next” to create your account.

For the purposes of this article, we have opted to buy Axies in the marketplace. Once in your account, click on “Marketplace.” Here, you will head to the auction page and see all the Axies available for sale. You can filter with various options on the upper right-hand. 

Once you have chosen and purchased your Axies, you can download Axie Infinity on your computer. For purposes of this guide, we will use the PC version. 

Playing Axie Infinity

Once you have downloaded and installed the game on your computer, click on “Play,” and you will see the menu.

On the top left side of the menu, you will see your name, the daily quests, and the amount of energy that you have. 

Remember: you need energy to join the Adventure/Arena area. Energy is refilled daily at midnight UTC time. Also, the Axies you own determine the maximum energy you can have. 

The gameplay consists of two modes – Adventure and Arena. 

In Adventure, players are on a quest to fight and win against different monsters that are spread out across 36 levels. You can earn about 50 SLPs per day.

In Arena mode, however, players compete against other players Axies’ with each player receiving SLP depending on their Matchmaking Rating (MMR). A player with the highest MMR ends up taking the bigger cut of 21 SLPs for every win. 

Alternatively, you can opt to gain SLPs by “Farming.” 

Farming on Axie Infinity means completing daily tasks to get rewards. Once you complete your daily tasks, you can claim your SLPs.

And that’s how to play Axie Infinity. Now, let’s take a look at how you can make money playing Axie Infinity.

How does play-to-earn work?

Play-to-earn is a type of gaming where players can earn real-world value from their in-game activities. In these games, players can collect, grow, or trade digital assets, which can then be converted into real-world money. This model is commonly seen in blockchain games and is transforming the way we perceive online gaming.

Axie Infinity is a great example of a play-to-earn game. It has regular video game features like an adventure mode, player-versus-player battles, and tournaments. But it also uses blockchain technology to make the game fun and unique.

AXS and SLP tokens

AXS token

AXS is an ERC 20 governance token with a total supply of 270 million. It serves three primary functions: governance, staking, and payment. 

AXS holders are granted voting rights and rewards within the game as a governance token. They also earn income from the Axie Infinity community treasury, which collects 4% of each transaction on the Axie Infinity marketplace.

Staking is another key feature of AXS. Users can stake their AXS, locking it up to receive additional AXS, akin to earning interest on a savings account. However, to claim these rewards, stalkers must actively participate in the game and vote.

Currently, AXS is primarily used for in-game payments, particularly breeding fees. It can also be earned by ranking among the top 200 players in a month-long season, with top players potentially earning up to 400 AXS. While the major use cases are still under development, AXS will be crucial for future participation in the Axie Infinity economy.

SLP token

SLP, on the other hand, is an ETH-based cryptocurrency awarded to players for playing the game. Essentially, it’s the in-game currency of Axie Infinity. 

The amount of SLP earned is adjusted based on the player’s skill level, incentivizing stronger players to earn more SLP.

SLP is primarily used for breeding Axies. Breeding requires players to spend SLP, creating a cycle where playing the game allows them to earn more SLP for breeding. 

While most players use SLP for breeding, it can also be sold on exchanges. Unlike AXS, SLP is fully in circulation, with 100% of the supply in use across Sky Mavis’ blockchain and the Ethereum blockchains.

While AXS and SLP are integral to the Axie Infinity ecosystem, they serve different purposes. Each value also varies, with AXS typically holding a higher monetary value than SLP.

How can you make money playing Axie Infinity? 

There are various ways that players can earn money by playing Axie Infinity:

Selling Smooth Love Potion (SLP)

Farming and selling Smooth Love Potion (SLP) is one of the most common ways that you can earn money in the Axie Infinity universe. SLP is an in-game item that players need to breed Axies. As a player, you can farm SLPs in three different ways:

1. Battling monsters in Adventure mode

2. Fighting other players in Arena mode

3. Completing daily quests and missions

Breeding and selling Axies

Another unique way that players can earn money in Axie Infinity is by breeding and selling Axies. You can breed two mature creatures and create offspring off them. The newborn Axie will inherit all the features that both parents have. If you manage to breed a rare Axie with superior and unique features, you can sell it for a reasonable amount. The rarer your Axie, the more you can make of it.

Staking AXS tokens

Besides being used as a governance token and currency in Axie Infinity, players can also stake AXS and earn rewards. Staking AXS tokens means locking your tokens at a specific interest rate. This will, in turn, allow you to earn different rewards over the lock-in period.

Flipping land

Lunacia is the name of the virtual land in Axie Infinity. It has tokenized customizable plots of land that serve as the bases and residence for Axies. As a landowner, you can make money by selling your land once it has appreciated in value or renting it out to other players.

Axie Infinity has made it possible for gamers to earn crypto while playing games online. With the above guide, you can give it a try yourself.

However, it’s essential to remember that, like any investment, inherent risks exist. The worth of in-game assets and currencies can fluctuate, and there is no assured promise of significant income. 

How to play Axie Infinity:

Embarking on your journey in Axie Infinity involves a few crucial steps. 

• First, you must install a digital wallet, such as MetaMask, and load it with Ethereum (ETH), the cryptocurrency the game requires. 

• Next, download a Ronin Wallet, available as a browser extension or a mobile app. This wallet will store your digital assets, including Axies and ETH. Deposit your ETH into your Ronin Wallet using the Ronin Bridge.

• Now, it’s time to acquire your Axies. You can purchase them directly from the official Axie Infinity Marketplace using your Ronin Wallet. Alternatively, you can apply for a “scholarship,” where veteran players lend Axies to beginners who can’t afford to buy their own.

• Once you’ve secured your Axies, create your game account on the official marketplace. After setting up your account, download Axie Infinity on your preferred device and start playing!
  

Axie Infinity is a turn-based game where you aim to knock out your opponents using your Axies and their abilities. The game rewards you with SLP tokens with real-world monetary value. You can use your Axies in two game modes: Adventure and Arena. 

Adventure mode is ideal for beginners, where you battle monsters at different levels. On the other hand, Arena mode pits you against other players and winning fights earns you SLPs and experience points. Remember, the value of SLPs can fluctuate, similar to stock prices on the stock market.

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