This post was originally published in [2021] and has been fully updated for 2026 with new data and tools.
If you’re looking to enter Lunacia without spending a dollar, you’ve likely hit a crossroads: should you apply for an Axie Infinity scholarship vs starter axies 2026 updates?
In the past, scholarships were the only way to earn, but the new Starter Axie system in Origins has changed the math entirely.
Today, we’re breaking down which path leads to faster bAXS rewards and why your choice depends more on your skill level than your wallet.
The Scholarship path generally leads to faster rewards because it bypasses the “Rare Era” power cap
Keep reading, and I’ll share what the scholarship program is all about and “exactly” how someone can get started with this game.
Axie 2026 Rewards Estimator
Starter Axies vs NFT Delegation: Which Path Earns More bAXS in 2026?
The difference is ownership vs reward potential.
- Starter axies allow you to play the game with $0 upfront cost.
- Scholarship is a partnership where you play with someone’s high-powered team in exchange for a portion of the winnings.
| Feature | Starter Axies (Origins) | Axie Scholarship |
| Upfront Cost | Free ($0) | Free ($0) |
| Axie Ownership | Non-NFT (Bound to account) | Borrowed NFTs (Owned by Manager) |
| Reward Split | 100% yours | 50% – 70% typical split |
| Competitive Power | Limited to “Rare Era” mostly | High (Access to Meta NFT teams) |
| Token Earnings | bAXS (Rare Era & leaderboards) | SLP + bAXS (Shared with Manager) |
| Accessibility | Instant (Download & play) | Requires application & vetting |
The problem with starter axies is that you will hit a power wall where better teams will outperform you.
Starter axies do increase your Axie score. In 2026, a high Axie score lowers your fees when converting bAXS to AXS.
A scholarship means higher earnings. You’re like renting out creatures that someone else grinded to get better stuff.
But you have to give them 30% or 50% of the money you earn.
The good news is that the 2026 scholarship system is safer than the 2021 system; there is a direct delegation tool, so they don’t have to give you their password.
- Starter Axies – if you want a casual experience, and you keep 100% of the rewards.
- Scholarship – If you’re competitive and want to reach the to leadersboards. Without shelling out cash for the creatures.
The Scholarship path generally leads to faster rewards because it bypasses the “Rare Era” power cap
Axie Infinity Scholarship 2.0: Using NFT Delegation to Earn in 2026
The scholarship program is when someone loans you their Axies and you earn them money.
Think of the scholarship program or Axie lending program like renting out a car. You get to drive a car that you can’t afford, and someone else gets money for loaning you their Axies.
Both people can win.
The large drawback with the scholarship is that you will not be making as much money. How much you can earn depends on the scholarship program.
Most of the scholarship programs that I’ve seen, you would be earning 65% of the rewards. The other 35% would go to the person who loaned you an Axie.
You might be wondering how much you could possibly earn playing the game. This video will provide the best idea that I’ve seen, but the prices may go up.
Keep in mind, this is when someone OWNS an Axie.
Another danger is that there is NO guarantee you will get paid at all. Hopefully, the person you’re dealing with is honest and trustworthy.
This is why the Escrow service was created, right?
Another benefit of some of the scholarship programs is that other players will give you help and advice on playing the game.
If you are still interested, here is a list of a few scholarship programs that I’ve found.
How bAXS and Non-Transferable Rewards Fixed the Axie Infinity Economy
As of the time of this blog post, there are NO free starter Axies that I have found from Sky Mavis, the makers of Axie Infinity.
In an update, they did mention they plan on reducing the barrier to entry by allowing new players to have Free starter Axies.
This will allow people to start learning the game before making a big economic decision. However, their earning ability will be very weak.
This means the free-to-try players will be encouraged to eventually get real Axies they truly do own.
How much the FREE Axies’ earning potential will be impacted, nobody knows. Sky Mavis also plans to introduce a fun tutorial and easier ways to log in using social media.
You’re probably wondering when exactly this will happen.
The 3 FREE starter Axies were mentioned in the February 2021 update, which you can read about from the Link HERE.
The development team is currently working on it, and I have no idea when it will be available.
How to Play Axie Infinity for Free in 2026: Origins & Ronin Waypoint Guide
If you do have enough money to invest in Axie Infinity, the easiest way to get started is by first getting Metamask.
Metamask is a wallet that allows someone to send and receive ether on the Ethereum blockchain.
You can get Metamask as a browser extension or as a phone app.
You even get a creepy fox that follows your cursor around, cool, right?
You can download Metamask by clicking on the link HERE.
Now, that you have Metamask, the next step is to download the Mavis Hub and Ronin Wallet. Ronin is a sidechain of Ethereum that will allow you to save on gas fees by moving Ethereum.
Instead of many tiny transactions being on the Ethereum blockchain, Ronin just sends 1 LARGE transaction, and thus everyone saves on annoying gas fees.
You get Mavis Hub by clicking on the link HERE. Inside the Mavis Hub, you can see the Axie Marketplace and what Axies are selling for.
Oh, and you can automatically log in to Mavis Hub with Metamask. Then you can buy Ether with fiat money, and an easy way to do that is with the Ronin Wallet.
A second way is by buying from an exchange such as Coinbase, but there is usually a waiting period of 7 days before you can move the Ether to Ronin to buy Axies.
Here is a video that will walk you through buying Ether.
Is Axie Infinity Worth Playing in 2026? bAXS Rewards & Stability Review
You might be wondering if all the hassle is worth it. Why spend hundreds of dollars on a video game?
Axie Infinity is more of an investment than a video game.
The Axies you do buy, you can resell later and hopefully will be worth more money in the future.
The love potions you collect during the game, you can also sell for “real-world” cash. There is also a breeding part of the game where you can get more Axies.
Plus, the developers have lots of plans going forward. They plan on introducing land and bigger battles. You add this to the fact that over 60,000 people play the game, and it’s the #1 play-to-earn video game on the market.
The best thing is it’s MORE fun than a boring stock. It’s even MORE fun than buying Dogecoin.
Closing: Axie Infinity scholarship vs starter axies 2026
Due to the fun factor and its geared towards kids, I’ve been very bullish on Axie Infinity. Besides, if you do buy some Axies and hate the game, you can always sell them to someone else.
Still, crypto is very risky and exciting too.
It’s not a bad idea to diversify, and I’ve always been a large fan of affiliate marketing.
You can do it anywhere in the world, anytime, around your schedule, in nearly any niche, and have lots of fun.
I’ve been at it for 15 years, and I’m giving away FREE guides on many of the secrets I’ve discovered HERE.
I hope this blog post on whether someone can play Axie Infinity for free was helpful to you. Bye for now.