Axie Infinity is a popular blockchain-based video game that allows players to collect, breed, raise, battle and trade token-based creatures called Axie. Axie are at the core of the Axie Infinity gameplay and economy, so an important question for new players is: how many Axie are required to get started?
What is Axie Infinity?
Axie Infinity is a decentralized gaming universe created by Sky Mavis and built on the Ethereum blockchain. Inspired by games like Pokémon and Tamagotchi, Axie Infinity allows players to collect, breed, raise, battle and trade digital creatures called Axies (pronounced ax-eez).
Each Axie is a non-fungible token (NFT) with unique genes and attributes. There are billions of possible gene combinations, meaning no two Axies are exactly alike. Players can breed their Axies to create new, unique offspring Axies and battle them against other players in turn-based combat.
The Axie ecosystem has its own economy fueled by Axie Infinity Shards (AXS) and Smooth Love Potions (SLP) tokens. AXS is the governance token of the Axie universe while SLP is earned through gameplay and breeding. Both tokens have real monetary value and can be traded on cryptocurrency exchanges.
Why are Axies important?
Axies are at the core of the Axie Infinity gameplay loop. Here’s why they are so important:
- Axies are required for battling – You need a team of 3 Axies to battle other players.
- Axies are used for breeding – Breeding Axies creates new offspring Axies with unique genes and traits.
- Axies earn SLP tokens – Playing and winning battles with your Axies earns SLP, Axie’s growth token.
- Axies have monetary value – Valuable Axies can be sold for real money on the Axie marketplace.
- Axies are collectibles – There is a collector appeal to finding rare, valuable Axies.
So in short, Axies are integral to battling, breeding, earning tokens, and the collectible nature of the game. The more skilled your Axies are at battling, the more rewarding and fun the game becomes.
How many Axies are needed to play?
To start playing Axie Infinity, you need a minimum of 3 Axies. This is because battles require a team of 3 Axies, so owning less than 3 would prevent you from playing PvP battles.
However, more experienced Axie Infinity trainers often aim for the following:
- Starter team (minimum): 3 Axies
- Ideal team: 6 Axies (2 teams of 3)
- Experienced player: 9+ Axies (3 teams of 3, plus extra)
Let’s look at why you may want more than 3 Axies as you progress in the game.
Benefits of having more than 3 Axies
- Alternate team combinations – With 6 Axies, you can create different team lineups to take advantage of strengths/weaknesses against opponents.
- Earn more SLP – You can earn maximum daily SLP with 2 teams of 3 Axies.
- Breeding pairs – To breed Axies you need pairs – so 4-6 provides breeding options.
- Backup Axies – Extra Axies can sub in if your main team gets tired between battles.
- Scholarship teams – You can loan additional Axies to scholars to earn SLP.
As a beginner, a starter team of 3 Axies is perfectly fine. But as you progress in the game, you’ll likely want to acquire additional Axies to maximize earnings, breeding, and battle strategy.
How much do Axies cost?
The cost of Axies can range dramatically based on their rarity and quality. Here is an overview of Axie costs for beginners:
| Axie Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Basic Starter Axies | $50 – $200 per Axie |
| Intermediate Axies | $200 – $500 per Axie |
| Advanced Axies | $500+ per Axie |
Some key things that determine an Axie’s cost include:
- Breed Count – Virgin Axies (never bred) are cheaper than highly bred Axies.
- Body Parts – Rarer body parts increase cost e.g. Mystic parts.
- Pureness – Axies with 7 purebred body parts cost more.
- Stats – Axies with higher Speed, Skill, Morale and HP cost more.
- Card Set – Meta relevant cards like “Imposter” can increase costs.
Rare “Mystic” Axies can sell for $200,000+ in some cases! But starter Axies aimed at newer players often sell for $50 to $300.
How much does an Axie team cost?
Given the above per-Axie costs, here’s an estimate for how much a full Axie battle team costs:
| Team Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic Starter Team (3 Axies) | $150 – $600 |
| Intermediate Team (3 Axies) | $600 – $1,500 |
| Advanced Team (3 Axies) | $1,500+ |
A starter team of 3 basic Axies can cost as little as $150. While advanced teams of top-tier Axies can cost $1,500+. An intermediate team strikes a good balance for many players.
Also keep in mind there are additional costs like gas fees for breeding/trading Axies on top of the Axie purchase costs.
How long does it take to earn back Axie costs?
A common question from new Axie Infinity players is how long it will take to earn back their initial investment in Axies. This depends on a few factors:
- The cost of your initial Axie team
- The average SLP you can earn per day
- The USD value of SLP at the time
As an example, let’s say you buy a starter team of 3 Axies for $300 total. And you earn an average of 150 SLP per day. With SLP valued at $0.05:
- Daily SLP earned: 150
- Daily SLP value: 150 * $0.05 = $7.50
- Days to earn back $300: $300 / $7.50 per day = 40 days
So in this example, it would take approximately 40 days to earn back your initial Axie costs. This timeframe can vary substantially based on your team quality, skill, and the fluctuating value of SLP tokens.
Tips to earn back Axie costs faster
Here are some tips to help you earn back your initial Axie costs as fast as possible:
- Aim for a skilled starter team with good breed counts/body parts.
- Grind battles daily and complete your daily quests.
- Level up your Axies to maximize your SLP earnings.
- Take advantage of SLP bonuses and events.
- Stake your excess SLP to earn additional yield.
With smart Axie selection and consistent gameplay, you can maximize your SLP earnings potential in the game.
Should I buy or breed Axies first?
For new Axie Infinity players, a frequent question is whether they should buy their first Axies, or try to breed them. There are a few key considerations:
Reasons to buy first
- Cheaper to buy starter Axies vs. breeding at first.
- Can start playing and earning SLP faster.
- Don’t need SLP saved up to breed more Axies.
- Can learn the game before breeding.
Reasons to breed first
- Don’t need to spend fiat money to acquire Axies.
- Can be more profitable long-term as breeds cost less than buying.
- Breeding is part of the core Axie experience.
- Pride/reward factor of breeding your own Axies.
Overall, purchasing a starter team first is recommended for most new players for a few reasons:
- Cheaper initial cost to start playing faster.
- Can start earning SLP right away to save up for future breeding.
- Lets you learn the basics before breeding nuances.
However, some players love the challenge of starting with breeding. So it comes down to personal preference!
Conclusion
Axie Infinity requires a minimum of 3 Axies to start battling and earning SLP. However, as you advance, 6-9 Axies allows greater strategy, earnings, and breeding potential.
Starter Axies can cost $50-$300 each. So a starting team ranges from $150-$600. This initial investment can be earned back in 1-2 months with consistent gameplay.
Buying a starter team first is recommended for most new players. But breeding your first Axies is an exciting challenge if you’re up for it!
With a balanced team of 3-6 Axies you enjoy playing with, you’ll be set to excel in the world of Axie Infinity in no time!
