Backbone

Backbone
Keyword Ability
Type	Static
Introduced	MTG Arena
Last used	MTG Arena
Reminder Text	Backbone (This creature assigns combat damage equal to its toughness instead of its power.)
Statistics	14 cards 7.1% 28.6% 14.3% 7.1% 14.3% 7.1% 14.3% 7.1%
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keyword:"combat damage equal to its toughness"

Backbone is a MTG Arena-specific keyword ability that causes creatures to deal damage based on their toughness. It is also informally called the Doran ability.

History

Backbone was introduced in the March 12, 2020 Game Update (1.06.00.00). According to Matt Tabak, the term will not be appearing on printed Magic cards now or in the foreseeable future. It isn't part of the Comprehensive Rules.

Doran, the Siege Tower was the first card to have this effect, and uniquely amongst other Backbone cards affected all creatures, which had an impact on Standard and Extended decks by being a midrange's deck haymaker against aggressive decks.

Due to the design principles of making defenders, those that allow defenders to attack often pair with Backbone. Some of these effects are printed as draft build-arounds, and sometimes cross over into constructed. As toughness scaling cost less per point and tends to prolong a game, Backbone decks have some advantages over other build-arounds.

A related and unique effect is Zilortha, Strength Incarnate, where it receives damage through its power.

Cards granting backbone

Creatures

• Doran, the Siege Tower
• Belligerent Brontodon
• Arcades, the Strategist
• Treefolk Umbra
• Ancient Lumberknot
• Baldin, Century Herdmaster
• Rasaad yn Bashir
• Walking Bulwark

Planeswalkers

• Huatli, the Sun's Heart

Enchantments

• Assault Formation
• High Alert
• Gauntlets of Light
• Solid Footing

Conspiracies

• Weight Advantage