Boon: Difference between revisions

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>Jerodast
m (The design usage seems like a separate idea from the mechanical functionality; separate paragraph. Took the opportunity to shorten sentences. "Typical triggered abilities" is being contrasted to the "boon triggered abilities" in the previous sentence - while "typically" is a correct phrasing too, it does not set up the "A does this, B does that" dichotomy as cleanly.)
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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> Boons are used for triggers that could be delayed over many turns, such as a player casting their next creature spell, which the software can take care of tracking. The boon then acts as a player reminder of what triggers they have stored in the game state. In contrast, typically triggered abilities either occur immediately or are delayed at most until the player's next turn, which requires less long-term memory by players.
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>
 
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.


Some previous digital cards have used similar phrasing but without attributing the text to a boon, such as {{card|Tenacious Pup}} or {{card|Molten Impact}}.
Some previous digital cards have used similar phrasing but without attributing the text to a boon, such as {{card|Tenacious Pup}} or {{card|Molten Impact}}.

Revision as of 16:38, 10 October 2023

Boon
Card Type
Statistics
13 Boon creation cards
{W} 46.2% {B} 7.7% {R} 15.4% {G} 15.4% {R/G} 7.7% {artifact symbol} 7.7%
3 One-time boon creation cards
{B} 66.7% {land symbol} 33.3%
Scryfall Search
o:"a 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 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.[1]

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.

Some previous digital cards have used similar phrasing but without attributing the text to a boon, such as Tenacious Pup or Molten Impact.

History

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

Alchemy: Eldraine, introduced "one-time" boons as a restricted version of the mechanic that only occur once per game. Underbridge Warlock from the same set is the first card to check if a player has a boon.

Rules

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

One-time boon

A one-time boon is a variant introduced in Alchemy: Eldraine. It restricts the boon to one use per game.

Example

Example 1

Arcane Archery {2}{G}
Instant
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."

Example 2

Underbridge Warlock {3}{B}{B}
Creature — Ogre Warlock
5/4
Deathtouch
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."
At the beginning of your end step, if you have a boon, you mill three cards, draw a card, and lose 2 life.

References