Web3 gaming · How-to
Axie Infinity Evolution Guide: AXS, AXP and Mementos (2026)
Axie Infinity's evolution system lets players upgrade Axie body parts, and AXP, AXS and mementos each play a different role in that process. This guide explains how the pieces fit together in 2026 and where to confirm current rules and prices before you spend anything.
By the DappsAtlas editorial team · Updated

What Axie Infinity evolution means in 2026
Axie Infinity is a game built around collectible creatures called Axies. Two main versions matter for evolution questions. Axie Infinity Origins is the newer game with a part-based build system, and Axie Classic is a card battle game with its own explorer, rewards and point system. Many older guides mix the two, so the first step is to confirm which version a guide describes.
In general terms, evolution means improving an Axie over time, usually by upgrading its parts or progressing through the game's systems. Official support pages and recent community guides describe part upgrades and an evolution process in Origins. Classic has its own reward and progression layer, including AXP and seasonal events.
Because rules change between seasons, treat every specific step in this guide as a checklist to verify rather than a permanent fact. The official support site and in-game text are the authoritative sources. If a video or forum post contradicts them, trust the current official wording.
The rest of this guide covers Axie parts, the evolution process, AXP, AXS and mementos in plain terms, along with safety steps for managing your wallet and assets.
How Axie parts work and why they matter
Each Axie is made from body parts. In Origins, the parts shape how an Axie looks and how its traits and abilities come together in battle. Players usually think about parts in terms of class, rarity and fit with a team, since some combinations work better for particular strategies.
Evolution in this context usually means upgrading a part so it becomes stronger or changes in a useful way. Upgrading is one reason players hold more than one copy of a part. Duplicates can be used as material for another part, or they can be kept until a planned upgrade is possible.
Before you upgrade, decide which Axie you are improving and why. A part that fits a team you actually play is usually more useful than one that only looks good. Write down the part, its current state and the upgrade path you expect, so you can compare the result against what the game shows.
Think in terms of return. An upgrade consumes resources, and resources have a cost. If the Axie you improve is one you will not use, the upgrade may not be worth it.
Evo parts and upgrade materials
Part upgrades rely on materials. Official support material and community guides refer to Evo parts and consumable items used in the upgrade process. The exact items, quantities and crafting paths can change, so check the current in-game recipe or support article before you commit resources.
When you look at a recipe, note four things: the required items, whether any item is consumable and cannot be reused, the currency or token needed to complete the step, and any waiting period or limit on how many upgrades you can do in a given window.
Keep materials in your inventory until you have confirmed the full path. Selling a piece you later need is a common and avoidable mistake. Also be aware that a material you bought from another player may not be the same as the one the game requires, so check the item name and description in the game itself.
If the game shows a mismatch between the recipe and what you hold, stop and recheck the official guide. Do not rely on a single third-party post to tell you what an upgrade requires.
Step by step: how to upgrade a part
A practical upgrade process follows the same order each time. First, confirm the version you are playing. Second, check the current recipe for the part you want. Third, make sure the Axie is in the state the game requires, which may involve the right class, parts or level.
Next, gather the required items. Buy only what you need after you have verified the recipe, and keep a note of the price you paid. Then open the upgrade screen, confirm each step, and read the summary before you approve any transaction in your wallet.
Finally, check the result. Make sure the part shows the expected change and that the Axie's listing or stats update correctly. If something looks wrong, contact official support through the channels listed on the Axie Infinity site rather than a random account offering help.
Write each step down as you go. A short log of dates, item names and outcomes makes it easier to troubleshoot and to review whether the upgrade was worth doing.
AXP: what the points do and how to track them
AXP is a point-based progression element in Axie Infinity. In Classic, recent official and press coverage describes AXP being tied to rewards and to an increased cap, which means players can earn it through play and redeem it for certain rewards. The details and the amount available depend on the season and the current reward rules.
Because AXP mechanics are set by the game, avoid treating any number you read online as permanent. Check the in-game AXP display, the reward screen and the official announcements for the current cap and the activities that earn points.
For evolution planning, the useful question is whether AXP helps you reach the materials or rewards you need. If it does, track your progress in the game and plan your play sessions around the activities that earn it. If it does not, do not spend time or money chasing it.
Never buy AXP from an unofficial seller. Points sold outside the game carry risk of scams, and they can disappear if an account is restricted. Use only the official in-game mechanisms to earn or spend it.
AXS: the token and its role in the ecosystem
AXS is the Axie Infinity token. It is used for governance and for staking features in the Axie ecosystem, which means holders can take part in decisions about the project or stake the token where the game allows it. Its use cases and rules can change, so check the official site and recent announcements before making any decision.
AXS is a market asset. Its price moves with the wider crypto market and with news about the game, and it can fall as well as rise. Do not treat an upgrade plan as an investment plan. If you need to buy AXS for a specific function, check the current amount you need and the total cost including fees.
When you hold AXS in a wallet, keep the same safety rules you use for any token. Confirm the token contract and network before you send or receive it, and be careful with approval requests that ask for more permission than the action needs.
If you plan to stake or vote, read the official instructions in full. Staking lockups, reward rates and voting rules are set by the project and can change, so the numbers you read earlier may already be out of date.
Mementos: what they are and how to check them
Mementos are a collectible-style item associated with Axie Infinity. Public sources do not describe them in a single, stable way across versions, so the most important step is to read the current in-game text for any item called a memento. The description tells you whether it is a reward, a crafting material, a cosmetic or something else.
Before you trade a memento, check whether the game lists it as tradeable, and whether it is tied to a specific account, season or event. Some collectibles can only be used inside the game and cannot be moved to another wallet.
If you are offered mementos by another player, verify the item in your own inventory after the transfer. Do not accept a link that asks you to sign in or approve a transaction to receive a reward. Official rewards are delivered through the game and the official site, not through direct messages.
Keep a record of how you obtained each memento. That record helps if you ever need to show support staff what happened, and it makes it easier to see whether an item was worth the time or money spent to collect it.
Costs, prices and checking current value
Evolution is almost always a cost decision. The costs can include the price of the Axie, the parts or materials, the token needed for a step, transaction fees on the network, and the time you spend playing. Add these up before you start so you know the full outlay.
For current prices, check the official marketplace listings and reputable market trackers that show recent completed sales. Compare several sales over a period of time instead of relying on one asking price. Prices for Axies, parts and tokens can move quickly, so a figure you saw last week may be out of date.
Also consider the resale value. If you upgrade an Axie and later want to sell it, the market may not pay for the upgrade you made. Assume that you may not recover the full cost, and only spend what you can afford to lose.
When you calculate a plan, include a margin for fees and for the chance that the rules change before you finish. A plan that only works if every number stays the same is fragile.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Several mistakes come up often. The first is following an old guide from before a season or version change. The second is buying materials before confirming the recipe. The third is selling a part or memento that you later need for an upgrade. Each of these can waste resources that are hard to recover.
Security mistakes are more serious. Never share your seed phrase or private keys with anyone, including people claiming to be support staff. Official staff do not need your recovery phrase to help you. Be wary of direct messages offering free AXS, free AXP, or early access to an upgrade, since these are a common route for scams.
Also watch out for approvals. When a site asks your wallet to approve a spending permission, read what it grants and for how long. Revoke permissions you no longer need using a reputable wallet tool, and avoid signing requests you do not understand.
Finally, keep your device secure. Use a strong password, enable two-factor authentication where the platform offers it, and keep your operating system and wallet software updated.
Comparing evolution with other blockchain games
Once you understand evolution, it helps to see how the game fits into the wider blockchain gaming market. Other play-to-earn and collectible games use tokens, marketplaces and NFT items in similar ways, and the same rules about costs, fees and security apply across them.
If you want to compare options, look at how each project explains its token, its in-game items and its reward structure. Check whether the game clearly states what players can earn, what they must spend, and where official support can be reached. Clear documentation is a good sign, though it does not guarantee results.
You may also want to read about the other games mentioned in the related list for this guide. Each one has its own rules, tokens and risks, so read those guides separately rather than assuming the Axie approach applies.
Whatever you choose, set a budget before you start, keep a record of your spending, and stop when the costs no longer match the value you expected to get from the game.
Risk, local laws and responsible play
Gaming with tokens and collectibles can carry real financial risk, and some regions restrict or prohibit it. Check the local laws where you live before you buy, sell or stake any token, and confirm whether any tax or reporting duties apply to your activity.
Axie Infinity is a game that involves financial assets. Only spend money you can afford to lose, and do not use borrowed funds to buy Axies, parts, tokens or materials. Set limits on time and spending in advance, and take breaks if the game starts to feel like a job.
If you feel that play or spending is affecting your sleep, finances, work or relationships, step back and talk to someone you trust. Support is available from many national helplines and organisations that specialise in problem gambling and financial stress.
No guide can tell you whether an upgrade will be profitable. Use the information here as a starting point, verify current details through official channels, and make decisions that fit your own circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Is Axie Classic the same as Axie Infinity Origins for evolution?
Usually not. Classic and Origins are separate games with different card systems, progression and reward structures. Check which game a guide, video or rule refers to before you act on it, because a tip from one version can be wrong for the other.
Are mementos worth collecting?
Not reliably. Public sources describe mementos only loosely, and their role can change between seasons or updates. Read the current in-game description and the official support pages before you buy, sell or trade anything labelled as a memento.
How much does part evolution cost right now?
Prices move with the market, so no fixed figure can be given here. Check the in-game shop, the official support site and reputable market trackers for current listings, and compare recent sales rather than a single asking price.
Should I buy Axies just to evolve them?
Work out the evolution path before you buy a new Axie. Compare the parts you already own with what the upgrade needs, check current prices, and treat any upgrade as a cost you may not recover. Do not borrow money or use funds you cannot afford to lose.
How do I protect my account and wallet while upgrading?
Keep your recovery phrase offline and never share it. Be cautious of anyone who asks for your login details, seed phrase or payment in a direct message, and only connect your wallet to sites you reached through official channels. Revoke wallet permissions you no longer need.
Mentioned in this guide
dApps in this guide
The Sandbox is a blockchain-linked virtual gaming world on Polygon and Ethereum, with token SAND and a new AI game engine in beta for creators.
ImmutableX is a web3 gaming platform on Ethereum whose IMX token covers fees, staking, governance and gas on Immutable zkEVM, aimed at gamers and token holders.
Alien Worlds is a community-built play-to-earn metaverse on WAX where players mine and play to earn TLM tokens and NFTs.
Big Time is a free-to-play multiplayer action RPG for Windows PCs with NFT collectibles and a $BIGTIME token, aimed at gamers curious about Web3 economies.
Warp is a GameFi project where NFT starships earn daily WARP credits and play battles, expeditions and minigames across several chains.
Common is a non-custodial ZK privacy dapp on Arbitrum and Aleph Zero EVM that lets users shield funds and withdraw to a new, unlinkable wallet.
Axie Infinity is a Ronin-based NFT game where players collect, combine and battle creatures called Axies, with its own AXS token.
Infinity is a DeFi lending and borrowing protocol offering floating and fixed rates and yield curve trading, still shown as testnet or beta on its homepage.
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