Boon: Difference between revisions

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>Michyrr
m (moved from History section)
>RivalRowan
(Revised based on the Arena patch notes (2023.30.0) explanation of what a "one-time boon" is.)
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|scrylink={{Scryfall search|a boon|o}}
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{{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 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]].<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.
'''One-time boons''', originally just called a "boon" until ''[[Alchemy: Eldraine]]'', disappear after the criteria for their trigger has been met.


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>
Boons can potentially be triggered more than once, but there are no cards that currently utilize this mechanic.<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>


==History==
==History==
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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 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'' feature the new wording. <c>Underbridge Warlock</c> from the set is the first card to check if a player has a 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==
==Example==

Revision as of 04:33, 12 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:"one-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 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.[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.

One-time boons, originally just called a "boon" until Alchemy: Eldraine, disappear after the criteria for their trigger has been met.

Boons can potentially be triggered more than once, but there are no cards that currently utilize this mechanic.[2]

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.

As part of the Alchemy: Eldraine update, the boon mechanics were modified to allow a boon to be used multiple times instead of 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 feature the new wording. Underbridge Warlock from the 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.

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