Backbone

Backbone is the MTG Arena-specific keyword ability for an infrequently used mechanic that causes creatures to deal damage based on their toughness. In Paper Magic, it is informally called the Doran ability. It appears in white, black and green, often in combination with the ability to allow Defenders to attack. 
==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.
 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.
 is unique with an inverted Backbone effect, where it receives damage through its power. Another pair of unique effects are <c>Grim Contest</c> and <c>Steadfast Armasaur</c>, which are the Backbone equivalents of fight and bite.
==Cards granting backbone==
==References==
Category:Magic Arena