Battle positions are crucial in Axie Infinity, as they determine the attack priority; therefore, it is recommended that new players follow a horizontal battle set up.
Axie Infinity is a non-fungible token (NFT)-based online video game. It uses Ethereum-based cryptocurrency, Smooth Love Potion (SLP) and Axie Infinity Shards (AXS). Players are able to collect, battle, trade and raise creatures known as Axies, which are digitized NFTs. New players need to have at least three Axies in order to play the game.
The game consists of two different modes; Arena Mode and Adventure Mode.
| Arena Mode | Adventure Mode |
| Player-versus-player (PvP) based | Player-versus-environment (PvE) based |
| Players battle other players and their Axies | Players fight against computer-controlled mobs |
| This mode is recommended for experienced players | This mode is recommended for new or casual players |
| It consists of different matches | There are 36 levels in this mode, with increasing difficulty |
| Players do not need to fight bosses | Players will fight two bosses; one boss will spawn on level 21, while the other spawns on level 36 |
| Players need energy to obtain SLP and experience points | Players can obtain SLP without energy, however experience points can only be obtained with energy |
| Players will only gain experience points if they win the battle | Players will gain experience points by completing a level |
Arena Mode
Arena Mode may seem very intimidating at first, however, once players know their Axies’ abilities, class benefits, attributes and combat positions, it will be quite simple.
Battle positions
Battle positions are very important, as they determine the attack priority for both the player and the opposition player. This means that the way a player’s Axie is positioned on the battlefield will determine which enemy Axie will be attacked first, as well as which Axie on the player’s team will be attacked first.
Players should always think about the best position for both attacking and defending. It is important to note that once a player has set the positions, they cannot be changed during the battle. The golden rule to know is that Axies will always attack the opposition Axie which are closest to them.
This means that if the opponent’s team is positioned in a horizonal row, the player’s Axies will always attack the front Axie first, the mid-liner second, and the backliner last. The same will be applied to the player’s team if they have positioned their Axies in a horizontal row.
Things will become complicated when the opponent’s Axies are positioned in a triangle. Players like to use a triangle type position, or a similar position such as a reverse triangle, because they want to spread the damage between multiple Axies.
If Axies are positioned in a triangle, they will have a 50/50 chance of attacking either the top or bottom Axie. This happens since both enemy Axies are positioned the same distance away from the player’s Axie. Even though this battle position is quite effective, it is not recommended for beginner players.
For new players, a horizontal setup is recommended. Luckily, there are a few horizontal setups to choose from. Players can either choose between a straight horizontal line or where two Axies are positioned next to each other with one Axie in front, or where two Axies are closely positioned in front of each other with one Axie further behind.
If a player uses one of these battle positions, they do not need to worry too much about defence. Since all three battle positions are very similar, it can be quite difficult to choose the best one. It is recommended that players use the last horizontal setup. This means that two Axies are closely positioned in front of each other with one Axie further behind.
This is seen as the best combat position because no matter what position the enemy chooses, they are still going to be organized and prioritized in a linear fashion. If a player uses this position, they are giving themselves an advantage over any opponent which uses a split or triangle combat position.
Important positioning tips
It is important to note that there are a few cards in Axie Infinity where positioning matters. For example, Strawberry Shortcake, Mint and Silence Whisper require that Axies be in certain rows or positions to be useful to the team.
There are also cards that target enemies depending on distance, including Shrimp, Wing Horn and Toothless Bite. Axies who have these cards might affect the recommended team layout. Players may want to change the position of their Axies depending on their roles.
Experienced players usually have their highest damage-dealing Axie in the back. However, in some cases, it may be best to position that Axie in the middle, depending on the situation. As new players learn the game and different positions, they will discover which layout is best suited for their team and strategy.
However, the above-mentioned battle position is the best and is highly recommended for beginner players.