Boon
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.
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
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.