Boast

Template Impact on Perception

"Why is it so important that players know immediately that an effect can only be used once?" I would dare to say it's just human psychology. If I recall correctly, boast was badly received because "it was a downside" whereas "When this creature attacks, you may pay" has no problem. Escalate and strive were also badly received, but kicker and replicate are beloved or at least okay. It seems people really care a lot about templates "taking away" what the rest of the card does.

We default to “additive” templates when we can, but not everything is templatable that way in a form that’s easily grokable.

Boast Creatures Escalate Human Kicker Replicate Strive Templating

Once per Turn vs Tap

I'd say that the reason so many people are down on once per turn restrictions vs tap symbols is the same reason why people are down on boast vs attack triggers, if that makes sense. It just feels worse, even if it's the same 99% of the time.

There are just a lot of cases where we can’t use a tap symbol.

Boast Once Per Turn Tap / Untap Triggered Abilities

Reception of Boast Mechanic

How well was boast received? I felt it was a great mechanic but didn't get a lot of mechanical support.

It did okay, not outstanding, not terrible.

Boast Mechanics

Boast Keyword versus Ability Word

What makes boast a keyword and not an ability word? It feels like an ability word.

It was keyworded so we could make cards that mechanically reference it.

Ability Words Boast Keywords

Request to Re-implement Provoke

I like provoke more than fight. It allows for trample, first strike, double strike, boast, raid, counts as combat damage, etc., and it works great with multiple combat phases. It can also be stapled onto creatures as an ability which distracts a blocker. It also feels very green to happen in combat vs an instant speed option, which feels more like a kill spell with a drawback. So, may I please request provoke return and fight be retired? Also, if creatures can directly attack planeswalkers, can we either tweak it or get a new ability that can attack a specific creature, without untapping it? I want to attack and avatar of woe with first strike, instant of trading from fight or untapping it only to retap.

I have some bad news for you. We’re pretty happy with how fight is working out.

Avatar Avatar of Woe Boast Creatures Double Strike Fight / Bite First Strike Green Instants Planeswalkers Provoke Provoke Raid Trample Wilds of Eldraine

Defining Boast Mechanic

Is boast a threshold mechanic ?

Not technically.

Boast Mechanics Threshold

Rationale behind 'Boast' Mechanic

Why it was preferred to make the new mechanic boast in Kaldheim instead of bringing back raid?

Boast plays differently than raid in some interesting ways.

Boast Kaldheim Mechanics Raid

Impact on Raid Reprint

Does the printing of Boast affect the chances of Raid being printed again?

No.

Boast Raid Reprints

Arni Brokenbrow's Boast Ability

Un-rules question: If you activate Arni Brokenbrow's Boast ability while you control Infinity Elemental, is Arni’s power considered greater than the elemental’s?

No. Infinity plus 1 is still infinity.

Activate Boast Elemental Infinity Elemental Un-sets

Format of Boast Ability

Mark, boast really feels like an ability word but it’s formatted completely differently. Is this something new you guys are trying?

It’s a keyword and not an ability word, so we could mechanically reference it

Ability Words Boast Keywords

Complexity of Kaldheim Set

I count so many mechanics in Kaldheim: Modal Double Faces Cards, Saga, Snow, Tribal (+ Changeling), Foretell, Boast, Equipment/Vehicles matter, Legendary matter and Treasures. The set seems so complex (and exciting !), even with half of it being returning mechanics. How do you know it isn't too much mechanics for one set ?

The test, as they say, is in the pudding. We’ll see how it does.

Boast Changeling Equipment Foretell Kaldheim Kindred / Typal Mechanics Sagas Treasure Vehicles