Bo Jackson Battle Arena is built to grow over time.
New Heroes and Plays enter the Arena.
The game expands.
History takes shape.
To keep BoBA clear, exciting, and approachable as it grows, we use something called the BoBA Set Ascension Framework.
This framework defines how cards naturally move into different formats as new sets are released. Each format has a purpose, a personality, and its own place in BoBA history.
How the Set Ascension Framework Works
BoBA organizes play into three formats, based on when cards were released. As time passes, sets Ascend into new formats. It’s a clear, intentional progression that keeps the game easy to learn while still rewarding long-term mastery.The Three Formats of BoBA
Modern: The Active Era
Modern is where most BoBA play happens.
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Includes cards from the most recent two years
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The primary format for organized play and Pro Tour events
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The easiest place for new players to jump in
Modern is fast, approachable, and constantly evolving. It is where new heroes debut, new playbook strategies emerge, and the community grows together.
If you are new to BoBA, Modern is where you start.
If you play regularly or on the BoBA Pro-Tour, Modern is where you’ll spend most of your time.
AlphaTrilogy: The Founders Era
AlphaTrilogy celebrates the genesis of BoBA.
This format is reserved exclusively for cards released during BoBA’s first year, known as the Alpha era. It’s a preserved snapshot of the game’s origin.
AlphaTrilogy will be highlighted through an annual dedicated event, making it a rare and meaningful moment on the BoBA calendar.
Alpha era cards also carry a special distinction:
They are playable in both AlphaTrilogy and Legacy.
These cards are part of BoBA’s foundation and its ongoing history.
Legacy: The Ascended Era
As sets pass their mark of two year anniversary, they Ascend into Legacy.
Legacy includes:
• All cards released more than two full calendar years ago as of January 1 of the current year.
• A larger card pool
• More complex interactions and deckbuilding decisions
Legacy is designed as a tent-pole format where special events host experienced players to test their knowledge and preparation across a broader slice of BoBA’s history.
Legacy is about mastery, not volume. It exists to create moments that feel different, challenging, and earned.
Alpha Battlefoils: A Bridge Between Eras
Alpha Battlefoils are a special card type that connects BoBA’s past and present.
They allow newer heroes to immediately participate in Legacy and AlphaTrilogy environments while visually calling back to the Alpha era. For newer players, they are a window into BoBA’s early history. For longtime collectors, they are a reminder of how the Arena began.
Alpha Battlefoils help every era feel connected. The game moves forward, but its roots are always visible.
How Competitive Play Is Structured
BoBA’s competitive focus is intentionally clear.
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Modern is the primary format for organized play and regular Pro Tour competition
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Legacy appears in special, high-skill events (unless you jump into Blitz or Madness for more fun expression than pure skill expression)
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AlphaTrilogy is reserved for an annual celebration of the game’s origins, though pop-up AlphaTrilogy events can happen at any time
This structure keeps BoBA welcoming for new players while still offering depth for those who want to explore further.
Why We Call It Ascension
In BoBA, time adds context and fond memories forged from moments of joy.
As sets age in BoBA, they don’t fade into the background. They take on a new role. A new identity. A new place in the Arena.
That progression is called Ascension.
It is how BoBA grows with clarity, intention, and respect for every era of the game.
Welcome to the Battle Arena
Whether you joined during Alpha, jumped in recently, or are discovering BoBA for the first time, the Set Ascension Framework is here to make sure the game stays exciting, approachable, and meaningful at every stage.
Modern.
Legacy.
AlphaTrilogy.
Three formats. One Arena.
And a long future ahead.