The trading card game division of Azuki has officially launched pre-orders for its highly anticipated Alpha Starter Decks, marking the first physical product release for the Azuki TCG ecosystem. Pre-orders opened on March 27 and will continue through April 3, with allocations based on users' Collector Status tiers and an additional weighted raffle system for those seeking more decks than their tier permits.

Allocation Based on Collector Status

A snapshot of each participant’s Collector Status was taken on March 25 to determine their eligibility and pre-order allocation. Depending on tier, wallets were granted the ability to pre-order a set number of decks:

  • Order Tier: Up to 8 decks
  • Legend Tier: Up to 4 decks
  • Grand Tier: 1 deck
  • Esteemed Tier: Not automatically allocated, but eligible for raffle

Buyers cannot select specific deck types, but efforts will be made to distribute the Shao and Raizan decks evenly across purchases. For example, a four-deck purchase would typically include two of each deck. All purchases must be made using ANIME tokens, and successful transactions will be confirmed with the issuance of NFT receipts, which will later be redeemable for physical decks.

Weighted Raffle Offers More Access

For those who did not receive an allocation or wish to acquire more decks, Azuki has introduced a weighted raffle system. Users can enter the raffle during the pre-order window by committing ANIME tokens equivalent to the number of decks they wish to purchase. Collector Status tiers also determine the maximum raffle entries:

  • Order Tier: Up to 50 decks
  • Legend Tier: Up to 25 decks
  • Grand Tier: Up to 10 decks
  • Esteemed Tier: 1 deck

Raffle results will be announced on April 4, and any unsuccessful entries will be fully refunded. Buyers are cautioned to connect their wallets on either the Arbitrum or Ethereum networks, ensuring that their gas fees and ANIME tokens are aligned on the same chain for a successful transaction.

What’s Inside the Alpha Starter Decks

The Alpha Starter Decks serve as the first playable introduction to the Azuki TCG. Each box will contain either the Shao or Raizan deck, along with a set of randomized booster packs. The card rarity levels are:

  • Common (C)
  • Uncommon (UC)
  • Rare (R)
  • Super Rare (SR)

Additionally, some cards will feature alternate versions with lower pull rates than their standard counterparts. All cards in this initial run will be stamped with a unique “Alpha” designation, which will not be reprinted in future sets. While identical cards may reappear in Set 1, they will lack the Alpha stamp, reinforcing the exclusivity and potential collector value of this early edition.

Azuki will also retain a small portion of Alpha inventory for use in future tournaments, promotions, and community events. These decks will remain part of the original print run and will not constitute new or reprinted content.

NFT Redemption and Physical Deck Delivery

Each pre-order or raffle win comes with an NFT, which serves as proof of purchase. These NFTs are tradable and can be sold or transferred between wallets, although Azuki does not provide an official marketplace for such transactions. Buyers are advised to exercise caution when trading and to avoid scams.

The NFT will be redeemable for a physical deck during Q3 2025, with full details on the redemption process and shipping to be released closer to launch.

Pre-Order and Purchase Instructions

To participate in the pre-order or raffle, users must:

  1. Visit azuki.com/tcg/alpha-deck
  2. Connect their wallet (Ethereum or Arbitrum)
  3. Select the number of decks to purchase or the number of raffle entries
  4. Sign the transaction message and pay with ANIME tokens
  5. Receive NFT(s) upon successful payment

This pre-order event represents the debut of physical gameplay content for the Azuki brand, merging web3 functionality with traditional collectible trading card gaming. The Alpha Starter Decks aim to set the foundation for the TCG's competitive structure and long-term collector appeal.

Azuki has stated that future announcements will provide clarity on NFT redemption, shipping logistics, and ongoing promotional opportunities surrounding the Alpha deck campaign.