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Boon
One-time boon
Card Type
Statistics
17 One-time boon creation cards
{W} 41.2% {B} 17.6% {R} 11.8% {G} 11.8% {R/G} 5.9% {artifact symbol} 5.9% {land symbol} 5.9%
1 Multiple-time boon creation card
{G/U} 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[ | ]

Arcane Archery boon

Boons as they first appeared in Arena.

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 {2}{G}
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 {G}{U}
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[ | ]

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