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{{Infobox type
{{Infobox type
|type=Boon
|type=Boon
|image=Arcane Archery boon.jpg
|image=One-time boon.png
|first=Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate
|first=Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate
|last=Alchemy: Eldraine
|last=Alchemy: Ixalan
|stats={{stats|Boon creation|W=6|B=1|R=2|G=2|RG=1|A=1}}
|stats={{stats|One-time boon creation|W=7|B=3|R=5|G=3|RG=1|A=1|L=1}}
{{stats|One-time boon creation|B=2|L=1}}
{{stats|Multiple-time boon creation|GU=1}}
|scrylink={{Scryfall search|a boon|o}}
|scrylink={{Scryfall search|-time boon|o}}
|scrylink2={{Scryfall search|one-time boon|o}}
}}
}}
{{Distinguish|Boon (slang)}}
{{Distinguish|Boon (slang)}}
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==Description==
==Description==
A boon is created by some cards to set up an effect, much like a delayed triggered ability, but the boon is phrased as a separate entity with the trigger on it, similar to an [[emblem]]. Once the boon triggers, it disappears.<ref>{{DailyRef|magic-digital/mtg-arena-announcements-june-22-2022|MTG Arena Announcements, June 22, 2022|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|June 22, 2022}}</ref>
A boon is a separate game object with a triggered ability created by cards, similar to an [[emblem]].<ref>{{DailyRef|magic-digital/mtg-arena-announcements-june-22-2022|MTG Arena Announcements, June 22, 2022|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|June 22, 2022}}</ref> Boons are used for triggers that could be delayed over many turns, such as a player casting their next creature spell. The Arena software takes care of tracking this, so each boon acts as a reminder of what triggers are active. In contrast, typical triggered abilities either occur immediately or are delayed at most until the player's next turn, which requires less long-term memory by players.


Boons are used for triggers that could be delayed over many turns, such as a player casting their next creature spell. The software takes care of tracking this, so each boon acts as a reminder of what triggers are active. In contrast, typical triggered abilities either occur immediately or are delayed at most until the player's next turn, which requires less long-term memory by players.
There are two types of boons:
*'''One-time boons''', originally just called "a boon" until ''[[Alchemy: Eldraine]]'', disappear after the criteria for their trigger have been met.
*'''Multiple-time boons''' can be triggered more than once, with the boon disappearing only after the last of the predetermined number of uses.<ref name="APN2023.30.0">{{WebRef|url=https://mtgarena-support.wizards.com/hc/en-us/articles/19918926804372-Patch-Notes-2023-30-0|title=Patch Notes - 2023.30.0|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|date=October 11, 2023}}</ref>


Boons can potentially be used more than once, but no yet existing card does so.<ref>[https://mtgarena-support.wizards.com/hc/en-us/articles/19918926804372-Patch-Notes-2023-30-0#:~:text=Boons%20have%20been%20updated%20to%20potentially%20happen%20more%20than%20once.%20As%20a%20result%2C%20the%20typeline%20for%20older%20boons%20is%20now%20One%2DTime%20Boon. MTG Arena Patch Notes - 2023.30.0]</ref>
Like emblems, there are no cards that interact with or modify an existing boon.


==History==
==History==
Before boons were introduced, a few digital cards used similar phrasing but did not attribute the text to a boon, such as {{card|Tenacious Pup}} or {{card|Molten Impact}}. These simply used triggered abilities delayed longer than usual.
[[File:Arcane Archery boon.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Boons as they first appeared in Arena.]]
Before boons were introduced, a few digital cards used similar phrasing but did not attribute the text to a boon, such as {{card|Tenacious Pup}} or {{card|Molten Impact}}. These simply used triggered abilities delayed longer than usual and were later on rebalanced into using the boon mechanic.


Boons were first introduced on ten cards in ''[[Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate]]'', to replace some of the mechanics on [[reimagined card]]s.
Boons were first introduced on ten cards in ''[[Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate]]'', to replace some of the mechanics on [[reimagined card]]s.


<c>Underbridge Warlock</c> from ''[[Alchemy: Eldraine]]'' is the first card to check if a player has a boon.
As part of the ''Alchemy: Eldraine'' update, the boon mechanics were modified to allow a boon to be used multiple times instead of always disappearing after being triggered.<ref name="APN2023.30.0"/> While the patch notes for the update indicate all previous cards with the mechanic would be [[errata|errata'd]] to be called a "one-time boon", only the cards in ''Alchemy: Eldraine'' featured the new wording. <c>Underbridge Warlock</c> from the set is the first card to check if a player has a boon.
 
The first use of the new multiple-time boon mechanic was introduced in ''[[Alchemy: Ixalan]]'' with {{card|Merfolk Tunnel-Guide}}. It allows for the next three [[Merfolk]] cast by a player to [[explore]]. [[Errata]] for previous cards was implemented, bringing them in line with the new "one-time boon" wording.
 
===Errata===
During the release of ''[[Outlaws of Thunder Junction]]'', Wizards of the Coast updated their template for specific delayed triggers that occur when you cast your next spell.<ref>{{DailyRef|announcements/outlaws-of-thunder-junction-update-bulletin|Outlaws of Thunder Junction Update Bulletin|[[Jess Dunks]]|May 9, 2024}}</ref> This update was used as a reason to errata four Alchemy cards that required the template change to use the boon mechanic. {{card|Bloodrage Alpha||YMID}}, {{card|Electrostatic Blast||YMID}}, {{card|Molten Impact||YNEO}}, {{card|Tenacious Pup||YMID}} were all modified to create a one-time boon.


==Rules==
==Rules==
Boons aren't part of the [[Comprehensive Rules]]. They operate according to the programmed rules of ''Magic: The Gathering Arena''.
Boons aren't part of the [[Comprehensive Rules]]. They operate according to the programmed rules of ''Magic: The Gathering Arena''.  
 
===One-time boon===
Prior to ''[[Alchemy: Eldraine]]'', all boons had an ability triggering upon some variant of "When you cast your next creature spell". Newer boons that trigger only once are called '''one-time boons''' instead.  


==Example==
==Examples==
{{examples|<c>Arcane Archery</c> {{2}}{{G}}<br>Instant<br>Target creature get +3/+3 and gains reach and trample until end of turn. You get a boon with "When you cast your next creature spell, that creature enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter, reach counter, and trample counter on it."
{{examples|<c>Arcane Archery</c> {{2}}{{G}}<br>Instant<br>Target creature get +3/+3 and gains reach and trample until end of turn. You get a one-time boon with "When you cast your next creature spell, that creature enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter, reach counter, and trample counter on it."
|<c>Underbridge Warlock</c> {{3}}{{B}}{{B}}<br>Creature {{-}} Ogre Warlock<br>5/4<br>Deathtouch<br>When Underbridge Warlock enters the battlefield, you get a one-time boon with "At the begining of your end step, if three or more creatures died this turn, each opponent loses 5 life and you gain 5 life."<br>At the beginning of your end step, if you have a boon, you mill three cards, draw a card, and lose 2 life.
|<c>Merfolk Tunnel-Guide</c> {{G}}{{U}}<br>Creature {{-}} Merfolk Wizard<br>2/2<br>When Merfolk Tunnel-Guide enters the battlefield, you get a three-time boon with “Whenever one or more Merfolk enter the battlefield under your control, target Merfolk creature you control explores.
}}
}}



Latest revision as of 05:48, 15 May 2024

Boon
Card Type
Statistics
21 One-time boon creation cards
{W} 33.3% {B} 14.3% {R} 23.8% {G} 14.3% {R/G} 4.8% {artifact symbol} 4.8% {land symbol} 4.8%
1 Multiple-time boon creation card
{G/U} 100%
Scryfall Search
o:"-time boon"
Not to be confused with Boon (slang).

A boon is a designed-for-digital, MTG Arena-specific marker introduced in Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate that represents a delayed trigger.

Description

A boon is a separate game object with a triggered ability created by cards, similar to an emblem.[1] Boons are used for triggers that could be delayed over many turns, such as a player casting their next creature spell. The Arena software takes care of tracking this, so each boon acts as a reminder of what triggers are active. In contrast, typical triggered abilities either occur immediately or are delayed at most until the player's next turn, which requires less long-term memory by players.

There are two types of boons:

  • One-time boons, originally just called "a boon" until Alchemy: Eldraine, disappear after the criteria for their trigger have been met.
  • Multiple-time boons can be triggered more than once, with the boon disappearing only after the last of the predetermined number of uses.[2]

Like emblems, there are no cards that interact with or modify an existing boon.

History

Boons as they first appeared in Arena.

Before boons were introduced, a few digital cards used similar phrasing but did not attribute the text to a boon, such as Tenacious Pup or Molten Impact. These simply used triggered abilities delayed longer than usual and were later on rebalanced into using the boon mechanic.

Boons were first introduced on ten cards in Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, to replace some of the mechanics on reimagined cards.

As part of the Alchemy: Eldraine update, the boon mechanics were modified to allow a boon to be used multiple times instead of always disappearing after being triggered.[2] While the patch notes for the update indicate all previous cards with the mechanic would be errata'd to be called a "one-time boon", only the cards in Alchemy: Eldraine featured the new wording. Underbridge Warlock from the set is the first card to check if a player has a boon.

The first use of the new multiple-time boon mechanic was introduced in Alchemy: Ixalan with Merfolk Tunnel-Guide. It allows for the next three Merfolk cast by a player to explore. Errata for previous cards was implemented, bringing them in line with the new "one-time boon" wording.

Errata

During the release of Outlaws of Thunder Junction, Wizards of the Coast updated their template for specific delayed triggers that occur when you cast your next spell.[3] This update was used as a reason to errata four Alchemy cards that required the template change to use the boon mechanic. Bloodrage Alpha, Electrostatic Blast, Molten Impact, Tenacious Pup were all modified to create a one-time boon.

Rules

Boons aren't part of the Comprehensive Rules. They operate according to the programmed rules of Magic: The Gathering Arena.

Examples

Example 1

Arcane Archery {2}{G}
Instant
Target creature get +3/+3 and gains reach and trample until end of turn. You get a one-time boon with "When you cast your next creature spell, that creature enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter, reach counter, and trample counter on it."

Example 2

Merfolk Tunnel-Guide {G}{U}
Creature — Merfolk Wizard
2/2
When Merfolk Tunnel-Guide enters the battlefield, you get a three-time boon with “Whenever one or more Merfolk enter the battlefield under your control, target Merfolk creature you control explores.”

References