Boon
| Boon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Card Type | |
| Statistics |
17 One-time boon creation cards
 41.2%  17.6%  11.8%  11.8%  5.9%  5.9%  5.9% 1 Multiple-time boon creation card  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
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 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. The errata for previous cards is implemented, bring them in line with the new "one-time boon" wording.
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 
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 
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
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (June 22, 2022). "MTG Arena Announcements, June 22, 2022". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Wizards of the Coast (October 11, 2023). "Patch Notes - 2023.30.0"