Axom Beginner Guide: Getting Started in 2026

Your First Steps in Axom

Welcome to Axom, the indie strategy game from developer Hairy Penguin that blends tower defense with Roguelite elements. As a new player, your first goal is to understand the dual nature of the game: you must both build and defend your fortress while also expanding outward to explore a procedurally generated alien world. The game launches on PC on June 9, 2026, and is a single-player experience.

Your journey begins with a small, defensible core. Do not rush to build outward immediately. The world is filled with corrupted terrain and physical-driven insect swarms that react to your actions. Your priority in the first few runs is to learn the basic loop: gather resources, construct walls and turrets, and survive the first few waves. For more on the game's release and availability, check our release date guide.

Understanding Core Mechanics

Axom's gameplay is driven by several key systems that you must master to progress. The most important is the physical simulation of enemies. Bugs are not simple scripted units; they have mass, momentum, and can interact with your structures in realistic ways. A wall that is too thin can be knocked over by a large wave, and turrets placed on uneven ground might have reduced firing arcs.

The second system is the Roguelite progression. Each run you attempt to expand and purify the map, but death is expected. Between runs, you can unlock hundreds of buildings and upgrades using resources you've gathered. This permanent progression means every failure makes you stronger for the next attempt. Focus on unlocking basic turrets and wall types early. For a deeper dive into how these systems interact, read our mechanics guide.

Building Your First Fortress

Your fortress is your lifeline. When starting, use the following steps to create a stable base:

1. Choose a central location

   Your core building is your most valuable asset. Place it on flat terrain, ideally near a natural chokepoint like a cliff or river. This reduces the angles enemies can attack from.

2. Build a perimeter wall

   Construct a simple square or circular wall around your core. Use the cheapest material available initially. You will upgrade to stronger materials later. Leave one gap for a gate if you plan to expand.

3. Place defensive turrets

   Position turrets on elevated platforms or behind walls. Prioritize covering the most likely approach paths. A mix of long-range and close-range turrets is effective against different bug types.

4. Expand strategically

   Once your core is secure, build a forward base or outpost to claim more resources. Do not overextend; keep your new buildings within supporting distance of your main fortress.

For more advanced base layouts, see our beginner tips guide.

Exploring the Procedural World

Exploration in Axom is risky but rewarding. The world is procedurally generated each run, meaning no two playthroughs are the same. As you move outward, you will encounter:

• Resource nodes: These provide materials for building and upgrading.
• Corrupted zones: Areas that must be purified to prevent enemy spawns.
• Hidden caches: Contain rare upgrades or currency.

Use your scout units or early turrets to clear a path. Beware of elite enemies that spawn in deeper areas; they require focused fire to bring down. A good strategy is to build a small relay tower or safe room every few screens to retreat to if overwhelmed. For a detailed look at enemy types, refer to our enemy types guide.

Surviving the Bug Swarms

The primary threat in Axom is the physical-driven bug swarm. These enemies are not just numerous; they are dangerous because of their physics interactions. A swarm can:

• Push against walls: If your wall is not reinforced, they can breach it.
• Stack on top of each other: Creating living ramps to climb over barriers.
• Target weak points: They will attack the same spot until it breaks.

To counter this, always reinforce your walls with secondary layers. Use AOE (area of effect) turrets to clear large groups. Keep a reserve of repair resources to fix critical structures mid-wave. If you are struggling with a particular wave, consider restarting with a different upgrade path. Our restart guide explains how to reset efficiently.

Progression Tips for New Players

As a beginner, your priority should be on unlocking the following upgrades:

Do not neglect your resource management. Every building costs materials, and you need to balance defense with expansion. If you run out of resources mid-wave, you will be unable to repair. For a full progression overview, see our progression system guide.

How do I get started? Simply launch the game and complete the tutorial. It will walk you through the basic controls and first wave.

What if I die? Death is normal. You keep any permanent upgrades you unlocked, so each run builds on the last. Use the knowledge from your failures to improve.

Is there a story? Yes, Axom has a narrative about an alien world corrupted by a mysterious force. As you purify terrain, you uncover lore fragments. For more, read our lore explained guide.