Boon: Difference between revisions
>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.) |
>Jerodast (The note about pre-boon cards seems like it makes more sense in history than description - since describing those cards is NOT describing boons :)) |
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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. | 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. | ||
==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. | |||
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. | ||
Revision as of 16:41, 10 October 2023
| Boon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Card Type | |
| Statistics |
13 Boon creation cards
 46.2%  7.7%  15.4%  15.4%  7.7%  7.7% 3 One-time boon creation cards 66.7%  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.
History
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.
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 
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 
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
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (June 22, 2022). "MTG Arena Announcements, June 22, 2022". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.