Ever stared blankly at your MTG Arena collection, a swirling vortex of digital cards, and wondered where that one specific land or crucial combo piece vanished to? The struggle is real. Fortunately, Arena offers a robust, albeit sometimes hidden, search function that can transform your chaotic collection into an organized arsenal. Mastering this search function is paramount to deckbuilding, crafting, and generally keeping track of your hard-earned cards. This guide will illuminate the intricacies of Arena’s search system, empowering you to swiftly locate any card, no matter how deeply buried within your digital binder. From basic keyword searches to advanced filtering techniques, we’ll unlock the secrets to efficient collection navigation, saving you valuable time and frustration. So, prepare to finally tame the digital beast and discover the true potential of your MTG Arena collection.
First and foremost, understanding the basic search syntax is essential. Arena’s search bar, conveniently located at the top of your collection screen, functions much like a standard web search. Simply type in a card name, and voila! However, the true power lies in using specific keywords and operators. For instance, searching by mana cost, card type, or even specific abilities is easily achieved with dedicated keywords like “mana=2,” “type:creature,” or “text:flying.” Furthermore, you can combine these keywords to narrow down your search even further. Let’s say you need a two-mana blue creature with flying for your tempo deck. Simply enter “mana=2 type:creature color=U text:flying” and Arena will present you with all matching cards. Moreover, understanding wildcard searches is crucial. Using an asterisk (*) can significantly broaden your search parameters. For example, searching “name:shock*” will return all cards with “shock” in their name, such as Shock and Electroshock. This feature is incredibly useful when you remember a fragment of a card name but not the whole thing. Consequently, by mastering these basic search techniques, you can already drastically improve your collection management efficiency.
Beyond the basic keyword searches, Arena offers a powerful advanced filtering system that allows for even more granular control over your collection results. This filtering system, accessible through the filter icon next to the search bar, lets you visually select specific criteria, such as rarity, set, format legality, and even artist. Additionally, you can filter by the number of copies you own, which is particularly helpful when crafting or checking if you have a playset of a specific card. Imagine you’re building a historic brawl deck and need a legendary creature from Dominaria. Instead of scrolling endlessly, you can simply use the filters to select “Legendary,” “Creature,” and “Dominaria” to quickly find all eligible cards. In addition to these filters, you can also sort your collection results by name, mana cost, converted mana cost, color, rarity, or set. This feature, coupled with the robust search syntax, offers an unparalleled level of control over your collection, ensuring you can always locate the exact card you need. Therefore, by utilizing both the search bar and the advanced filtering system, you can transform your collection from a daunting mass of digital cards into a meticulously organized and easily accessible resource.
Accessing Your MTG Arena Collection
Alright, so you’ve been battling away on MTG Arena, cracking packs, and building decks. Now, you’re looking for that one specific card to complete your latest brew, but where is it hiding amongst your thousands of digital cards? Don’t worry, navigating your MTG Arena collection is easier than it might seem at first glance. Let’s break down how to find exactly what you’re looking for.
First things first, you need to actually open your collection. You can do this by clicking the “Collection” button, usually found at the bottom of the MTG Arena home screen. It’s represented by a little icon that looks like three stacked cards – pretty straightforward, right? Once you click that, you’ll be transported to your personal card library.
Now, you’ll be faced with what might look like an overwhelming number of cards. Deep breaths, it’s more manageable than you think. By default, you’ll likely see every card you own, sorted by set. This is a great way to browse if you’re just looking to admire your collection or remember what cards came in a specific set. However, for targeted searching, we’ll need to use the search bar and filters.
The search bar is your primary tool for locating specific cards. It’s located at the top of the collection screen. Simply type in the name of the card you’re looking for, or even part of the name, and Arena will filter your collection to show only cards matching your search terms. For example, if you’re looking for “Lightning Bolt,” you can just type “Lightning” or even “Bolt” and Arena will narrow down the options. It’s pretty smart like that.
Beyond simple name searches, Arena’s search function offers some powerful advanced search options. You can use specific keywords to filter by mana cost, color, rarity, card type, and even specific keywords found in the card text. Let’s take a look at a few examples in this handy table:
| Search Term | Effect |
|---|---|
| m:r | Shows only cards with mana cost containing Red. |
| t:creature | Shows only creature cards. |
| r:mythic | Shows only Mythic Rare cards. |
| o:flying | Shows only cards with the keyword “Flying” in their rules text. |
| c>2 | Shows only cards with converted mana cost greater than 2. |
Using a combination of these search terms can really help you pinpoint the exact card you need. For instance, searching “t:creature c<4 m:g” would show all green creature cards with a converted mana cost less than 4. Pretty neat, huh? Experiment with different search combinations to find the perfect cards for your deck.
Building Decks
This section focuses on building decks within the MTG Arena client.
Managing Your Wildcards
This section focuses on using wildcards effectively.
Using the Basic Search Bar
MTGA’s basic search bar is your first line of defense against collection chaos. It’s deceptively simple, yet surprisingly powerful. Learning a few tricks can dramatically improve your search efficiency and help you find exactly the cards you need, whether for deckbuilding, crafting, or just admiring your digital treasures. This straightforward tool is located at the top of your collection screen, just beckoning you to type something in.
Basic Text Search
At its most fundamental, the search bar functions much like any other search engine. Type in a card name, or part of a card name, and the collection will filter to show you matching cards. For example, typing “elf” will display all cards with “elf” in their name, like “Llanowar Elves” and “Elvish Mystic”. This is perfect if you know exactly what you’re looking for or if you only remember part of a card’s name.
Advanced Search Operators
This is where the search bar truly shines. MTGA supports a robust set of search operators, allowing you to refine your searches with laser precision. These operators act as filters, narrowing down the displayed cards based on specific criteria. Want to find all red creatures with power 4 or greater? Easy. Need all blue instants and sorceries that cost 3 mana or less? No problem. By combining simple operators, you can construct complex queries to isolate exactly the cards you need. Let’s dive into some of the most commonly used operators and how to use them:
Mana Cost: Use the symbols like {W}{U}{B}{R}{G} or their lowercase counterparts {w}{u}{b}{r}{g} to find cards with specific mana costs. Want all cards that cost one white mana? Simply type {W}. Looking for cards that cost one blue and one red? Type {U}{R} or {u}{r}. It’s case-insensitive, so either format will do the trick. You can even search for colorless mana using {C}. For a more advanced approach to mana cost searching, use the operators <, >, =, and <=, >=. These operators act as comparators. For example, “cmc<=3” will return all cards with a converted mana cost of 3 or less. Need cards between two and four mana? Use the operator “2<=cmc<=4”.
Color: Use “c:” followed by the color abbreviation (w, u, b, r, g) to specify card colors. Want all blue cards? Type “c:u”. Multicolored cards can be searched using multiple color abbreviations, like “c:wu” for white-blue cards. The “m:” operator specifically searches for multicolored cards of any color combination (e.g., “m: >1” will show all cards with two or more colors). Want monocolored cards? That’s where the “c=1” shines. Finally, the “colorless” keyword, as you’d imagine, reveals all of the colorless cards.
Card Type: Use “t:” followed by the card type, like “t:creature” or “t:instant”. Want all artifacts? Simply search “t:artifact”. Want to filter further and find artifact creatures specifically? Enter “t:artifact creature” and boom, you’ve got them. You can combine any number of types, for instance “t:creature enchantment” will return all cards that are both a creature AND an enchantment.
Rarity: Use “r:” followed by the rarity abbreviation (c, u, r, m) for common, uncommon, rare, and mythic rare respectively. Need all those elusive mythic rares? Search “r:m” to see your collection’s powerhouses.
| Operator | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cmc | Converted Mana Cost | cmc=3 |
| c: | Color Identity | c:r |
| m: | Multicolored | m:>1 |
| t: | Type | t:creature |
| r: | Rarity | r:m |
| o: | Oracle Text | o:flying |
| name: | Card Name | name:lightning |
Combining Search Operators
The real power comes from combining these operators. For example, “t:creature c:g cmc<=3” will find all green creatures with a converted mana cost of 3 or less. Experiment with different combinations to create highly specific searches and quickly locate the cards you need.
Understanding Keyword Search Functionality
MTG Arena’s search bar is a powerful tool, but knowing how it works is key to finding the cards you need. It operates primarily on keyword matching, meaning it looks for the words you type within card names, types, and text boxes. Let’s dive into some key aspects of this functionality.
Basic Keyword Matching
At its simplest, typing a word into the search bar will bring up any cards containing that word. For example, searching for “Elf” will display all cards with “Elf” in their name, type line (like “Elf Warrior”), or rules text. This is a great way to quickly find cards related to a specific theme or creature type. Keep in mind that the search is case-insensitive, so “elf” will produce the same results as “Elf.”
Advanced Search Operators
Arena’s search goes beyond simple keyword matching, allowing for more precise filtering using specific operators. These operators let you target certain card characteristics or narrow down broad searches. Here’s a table outlining some of the most useful ones:
| Operator | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| name | Searches only card names. | name:“Llanowar Elves” |
| type | Searches card types. | type:creature |
| text | Searches card text. | text:“draw a card” |
| mana | Searches mana costs. | mana:{G} |
| cmc | Searches converted mana cost. | cmc=3 |
| r | Searches rarity. | r:rare |
| o | Searches the owner/set the card belongs to. | o:bro |
| - | Excludes results matching the following term. | type:creature -Elf |
Understanding Search Syntax and Nuances
Getting the most out of Arena’s search function involves understanding a few key nuances. First, remember that the search is not phrase-based. Searching for “Giant Growth” will return cards with “Giant” *or* “Growth” in their text, not necessarily both together. If you want to search for a specific phrase, use quotation marks, like “name:\“Giant Growth.\”” This tells Arena to look for the exact phrase “Giant Growth” within the card name. This is especially helpful for card names with multiple words.
Second, understanding the order of operations is important. If you’re using multiple search terms, Arena generally processes them from left to right. However, you can use parentheses to group terms and control the order of operations, just like in a mathematical equation. For instance, searching for “(type:creature or type:planeswalker) cmc=3” will find all creatures *or* planeswalkers with a converted mana cost of 3. This allows for complex and targeted queries. Finally, be aware of how wildcards and partial matches work. While Arena doesn’t explicitly support wildcard characters like “*”, you can often achieve a similar effect by simply typing part of a word. For example, searching for “hydr” will find cards like “Hydroid Krasis” and “Hydroblast.” This is useful when you don’t remember the exact spelling of a card name or want to find cards with a specific root word. This combination of operators, parentheses, and partial matching provides a robust search toolkit for efficiently navigating your collection. Experimenting with different combinations will help you master the search syntax and quickly locate the cards you need.
Filtering by Set
Finding specific cards based on the set they belong to is a breeze in MTG Arena. Just look for the “Set” dropdown menu, typically located above your collection. Clicking on it reveals a comprehensive list of all sets available in Arena, from the latest releases to older sets. You can scroll through the list or, for faster searching, start typing the name of the set you’re looking for. As you type, the list will dynamically filter, making it easy to pinpoint the set you want. Once you’ve selected the set, your collection view will update to display only the cards from that specific set. This is particularly helpful when building a deck centered around a specific set’s mechanics or when you’re trying to track down cards you remember pulling from a particular booster pack opening.
Filtering by Rarity
Rarity filtering lets you quickly isolate cards of a specific rarity, like Mythic Rare, Rare, Uncommon, or Common. This is useful for several things, like determining the overall value of your collection, or finding specific rares you need for a deck. The rarity filter typically sits near the set filter, offering a dropdown menu or a series of checkboxes. Select the rarity you’re interested in, and the collection display will adjust accordingly. You can also select multiple rarities at once – for example, selecting both Rare and Mythic Rare will show you all cards of both rarities.
Filtering by Color
Color filtering is arguably one of the most frequently used filters in MTG Arena, essential for deckbuilding and general collection browsing. Similar to the set and rarity filters, the color filter often appears as a row of colored mana symbols or a dropdown menu. Clicking on a specific color (White, Blue, Black, Red, Green, or Colorless) will filter your collection to show cards of that color. MTG Arena typically handles multicolored cards intelligently, displaying cards that contain any of the selected colors. For example, if you select both Red and Green, you’ll see Gruul (Red/Green) cards in addition to mono-Red and mono-Green cards. You can even further refine your search by selecting specific color combinations, allowing for precise filtering when building multicolored decks.
Filtering by Name and Advanced Filters
While filtering by set, rarity, and color gets you a long way, MTG Arena offers even more granular control with name search and advanced filtering options. The search bar, usually prominently displayed above your collection, is your go-to for finding cards by name. Start typing the name of the card, and the collection view will dynamically update with matching results. Partial matches are supported, so you can type “dragon” to find all cards with “dragon” in their name. This is especially useful when you only remember part of a card’s name.
Beyond simple name searches, advanced filters allow you to pinpoint cards based on specific criteria. These criteria can include mana cost, card type (creature, instant, sorcery, etc.), creature subtypes (elf, warrior, zombie, etc.), and even specific keywords found in the card’s rules text (like flying, trample, or deathtouch). The availability and presentation of these advanced filters might vary slightly depending on the MTG Arena client version, but they’re generally accessible through a dedicated “Advanced Filters” button or menu option. Utilizing these powerful tools can dramatically speed up deck construction and help you discover hidden gems within your vast collection.
| Filter Type | How to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Type the card name (or part of it) into the search bar. | Searching for “Elf” will find all cards with “Elf” in their name. |
| Mana Cost | Use the advanced filters to specify converted mana cost or specific mana symbols. | Find all cards that cost exactly three mana. |
| Card Type | Use the advanced filters to select specific card types (Creature, Instant, etc.). | Isolate all the planeswalkers in your collection. |
| Keywords | Use the advanced filters to search for specific keywords in the rules text. | Find all creatures with Flying. |
Advanced Search Options: Mana Cost and Card Type
Mana Cost
Searching by mana cost in MTG Arena is super helpful for finding specific cards or building a deck. You can use a variety of symbols and shortcuts to pinpoint the exact cost you’re looking for. The most straightforward method is to simply type the mana cost exactly as it appears on the card. For example, if you’re looking for a card that costs one green mana and two colorless, you would type “{1}{G}”.
You can also use the “X” symbol for variable costs. So, if you’re looking for any card with “X” in its mana cost, simply type “X” into the search bar. This will bring up cards like “Hydroid Krasis” or “Fireball”. This is especially useful if you’re exploring cards with variable costs for a specific deck strategy.
Additionally, you can narrow down your search using comparison operators. For example, you could search for cards with a converted mana cost greater than or equal to five by typing “cmc>=5”. This is a great way to quickly filter out lower-cost cards when searching for powerful late-game threats.
Card Type
Finding cards by their type is another essential function within MTG Arena’s collection search. You can search for specific types like “Creature”, “Instant”, “Sorcery”, “Artifact”, “Enchantment”, “Planeswalker”, “Land”, and “Tribal”. Simply typing the card type into the search bar will yield results matching that type. This is particularly handy when you’re looking to fill a specific slot in your deck or explore options within a certain archetype.
Refining Card Type Searches
To further refine your searches, MTG Arena allows you to combine keywords. For instance, searching for “Creature Elf Warrior” will show you all creatures that are both Elves and Warriors. This level of granularity allows for highly specific searches, which is invaluable when building tribal decks or trying to find specific synergy pieces. You can also exclude specific types using the “-” symbol. For example, typing “Creature -Elf” will show all creatures that are *not* Elves.
Using Wildcards in Card Type Searches
Another useful trick is using wildcards. The “*” symbol can replace any number of characters. For example, searching for “Artif*” will show all cards with types containing “Artif,” such as “Artifact” and “Artifact Creature.” This can be especially helpful if you’re unsure of the exact phrasing or want to cast a wider net.
More Advanced Card Type Filters: Supertype and Subtype
Diving even deeper, you can search for cards based on their supertype and subtype. Supertypes include things like “Legendary” and “Basic.” Subtypes are far more numerous and include things like “Elf,” “Warrior,” “Equipment,” and “Aura.” You can search for these just like you search for regular types. For instance, searching for “Legendary Creature” will return all creatures with the Legendary supertype.
| Search Term | Result |
|---|---|
| Creature Elf Warrior | All creatures that are both Elves and Warriors. |
| Legendary Creature | All creatures that are legendary. |
| Artifact -Equipment | All artifacts that are not equipment. |
| Land* | All cards with types beginning with Land. This will include Lands, Basic Lands, and potentially other more specific land types. |
Advanced Search Operators for Card Type Searches
Beyond simple keywords and wildcards, MTG Arena supports advanced search operators for card types. For instance, you can use the “:” operator to specify a particular type or subtype. For example, “t:creature” will show you all creatures, while “st:elf” will show you all cards with the Elf subtype. You can combine these operators with other search parameters to create highly complex queries. For instance, “t:creature cmc>5 st:elf” will return all Elf creatures with a converted mana cost greater than 5.
Utilizing Text Search for Specific Card Text
Finding that perfect card for your MTG Arena deck can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially if you’ve amassed a sizable collection. Thankfully, Arena’s search functionality is surprisingly robust when it comes to sifting through card text. Mastering this feature will drastically cut down your deckbuilding time and help you discover synergies you might have otherwise missed. Let’s dive into the specifics of using text search to pinpoint cards based on their abilities and keywords.
The core of text searching in MTG Arena revolves around entering keywords directly into the search bar at the top of your collection screen. The game interprets your input and filters your collection to display only cards containing those terms within their rules text. For example, if you’re looking for cards that draw cards, simply typing “draw” will show you every card with the word “draw” in its rules text. This basic functionality already provides a significant advantage, but understanding a few nuances will unlock the true potential of text search.
Arena’s search is case-insensitive, meaning “Draw,” “draw,” and “DRAW” will yield the same results. This eliminates the need to worry about capitalization and keeps your searches streamlined. Additionally, the search function incorporates “fuzzy” matching. This means minor spelling variations or typos won’t necessarily break your search. For instance, typing “destory” will likely still show you cards containing “destroy.” While helpful, it’s always best to double-check your spelling for the most accurate results.
Using multiple keywords in your search allows you to refine your results even further. Simply enter the words separated by spaces. For instance, searching for “draw flying” will only show creatures that have both the flying ability and a card draw effect somewhere in their rules text. This is invaluable for quickly identifying cards that fit specific roles or strategies within your deck. Imagine building a tribal deck centered around flying creatures with card advantage – this search method will quickly highlight your options.
Want to exclude specific keywords? Arena supports this functionality too. By placing a minus sign (-) before a keyword, you can filter out cards containing that term. As an example, searching “flying -blue” will display all cards with flying that are *not* blue. This is especially useful when you’re working within a specific color combination and need to rule out certain options.
For even more complex searches, you can group keywords together using parentheses and combine them with the AND/OR operators. For example, “(flying OR vigilance) AND draw” will show cards that either have flying *or* vigilance, and *also* have a draw effect. This level of granularity allows you to construct very precise searches, helping you uncover hidden gems within your collection. Below is a table summarizing these advanced search operators:
| Operator | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| AND | Finds cards containing both keywords. | flying AND draw |
| OR | Finds cards containing either keyword. | flying OR vigilance |
| - (minus) | Excludes cards containing the keyword. | flying -blue |
| ( ) (parentheses) | Groups keywords together. | (flying OR vigilance) AND draw |
By mastering these search techniques, you can transform your deckbuilding process in MTG Arena. From simple keyword searches to complex Boolean queries, Arena provides the tools necessary to quickly locate the perfect cards for any situation. So, the next time you’re hunting for that specific card with a specific ability, don’t just scroll endlessly through your collection – unleash the power of text search!
Searching by Artist or Flavor Text
Finding specific cards in your MTG Arena collection can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially if you’re a seasoned player with a vast library. Thankfully, Arena offers powerful search functions that go beyond just name and mana cost. Two particularly useful, yet often overlooked, search methods revolve around artist and flavor text. These allow you to locate cards based on the aesthetic you enjoy or the resonant narrative snippets that capture the magic of the game.
Searching by Artist
Let’s say you’re a big fan of Seb McKinnon’s artwork. You can easily find all the cards he’s illustrated in your collection. Simply type “a:Seb McKinnon” (without the quotes) into the search bar. The “a:” prefix tells Arena you’re searching by artist. It’s that simple! You can also use partial names. For example, “a:Rebecca” will show you cards illustrated by Rebecca Guay, Rebecca Leveille-Guay, and any other artist with “Rebecca” in their name.
This function is fantastic for curating decks based on a consistent artistic style, or simply admiring all the works of your favorite MTG artists in one place. It’s also handy for identifying artists whose styles resonate with you, so you can keep an eye out for their work in the future. Experiment with different artist names and discover the hidden gems within your collection!
Searching by Flavor Text
Flavor text, those evocative snippets of lore and in-world quotes, adds a significant layer of richness to Magic: The Gathering. If a particular piece of flavor text has stuck with you, you can use it to find the corresponding card. Use the “ft:” prefix followed by the text you remember. For instance, “ft:For what do you hunger?” will pinpoint the card that features this specific flavor text.
Be aware that you need to be fairly precise with your search. Even minor discrepancies, like a missing comma or an added “the,” can throw off the search. However, you don’t need the entire quote. A distinctive phrase from within the flavor text is often enough to locate the card you’re after. This is particularly useful if you only remember a key phrase and not the entire passage.
Tips for Combining Search Terms
Want to get even more specific? You can combine search terms! For example, “a:Seb McKinnon ft:planeswalker” will show you all cards illustrated by Seb McKinnon that also have the word “planeswalker” in their flavor text. This can be incredibly helpful when you have a vague memory of a card but can recall details about both its art and its flavor.
Partial Matches and Wildcard Searches
You can even use partial words or wildcards to broaden your search. For instance, “ft:destroy*” will show cards with flavor text containing variations of “destroy,” like “destroys,” “destroyed,” or “destruction.” This is particularly helpful when you don’t recall the exact wording of the flavor text.
Examples of Artist and Flavor Text Searches
| Search Term | Expected Result |
|---|---|
| a:Rebecca Guay | Cards illustrated by Rebecca Guay |
| ft:For what do you hunger? | The card with this specific flavor text |
| a:Noah Bradley ft:dragon | Cards illustrated by Noah Bradley featuring “dragon” in their flavor text |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Be mindful of typos, as even small errors can prevent you from finding what you’re looking for. Also, remember the correct prefixes: “a:” for artist and “ft:” for flavor text. Using the wrong prefix or omitting it entirely will lead to inaccurate results. Lastly, be careful with punctuation. If the flavor text includes a comma, you’ll likely need to include it in your search.
Saving and Loading Custom Searches
Once you’ve crafted the perfect search string to isolate those coveted cards in your MTG Arena collection, you don’t want to have to rebuild it every time. Thankfully, Arena allows you to save these searches for quick and easy access later. This is especially useful for complex searches involving multiple criteria or when you frequently need to access specific subsets of cards, like those belonging to a particular deck or strategy.
Saving a Search
Saving a search is straightforward. After entering your search criteria into the search bar and seeing the desired results, click the small ‘Save’ icon, usually represented by a floppy disk or a downward-pointing arrow. A pop-up window will appear, prompting you to name your search. Choose a descriptive name that clearly indicates the purpose of the search, for instance, “Red Aggro Creatures” or “Lands with Scry”. This will make it easier to locate your saved searches later.
Loading a Saved Search
To load a saved search, click the ‘Load’ icon, typically adjacent to the ‘Save’ icon. A list of your saved searches will appear. Select the desired search from the list, and Arena will automatically apply the saved search string to your collection, displaying the corresponding cards.
Managing Saved Searches
Over time, you’ll likely accumulate a number of saved searches. Arena generally allows you to manage these searches, offering options to rename or delete them. This keeps your list of saved searches organized and prevents it from becoming cluttered with outdated or irrelevant searches. To rename a search, select the saved search and look for an edit or rename option, which might be represented by a pencil icon. Deleting a search is usually straightforward, often using a trash can or delete icon. Be cautious when deleting searches, as this action is usually irreversible.
Understanding Search Syntax and Saved Searches
It’s important to remember that your saved searches store the exact search string you used. This means if you save a search that relies on dynamic criteria, like “owned: >=2,” the results might change over time as you acquire or craft more cards. If you add or remove cards from your collection that meet the criteria of your saved search the next time you load the search you will find the cards dynamically updated.
Example Use Cases for Saved Searches
The power of saved searches becomes apparent in various scenarios. Imagine quickly accessing all your rare and mythic rare wildcards to see what you can craft. A saved search like “Rarity:R OR Rarity:M AND is:wildcard” makes this a breeze. Or, perhaps you’re brewing a new Historic deck and need to review all your eligible blue creatures. A saved search dedicated to this specific criteria eliminates the need to re-enter the complex string every time. Here are a few other examples:
| Search Name | Search String | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Lands | t:land cmc=2 | Find all dual lands in your collection |
| Red Removal | c:r t:instant OR t:sorcery o:destroy | Locate all red removal spells |
| Standard Legal Creatures | f:standard t:creature | Filter for creatures legal in the Standard format |
Tips for Effective Search Management
To maximize the utility of saved searches, consider these tips: Use descriptive names that clearly communicate the search’s purpose. Periodically review your saved searches and delete any that are no longer relevant. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different search criteria to find what works best for you. For instance, you can combine multiple criteria to refine your searches, creating more specialized saved searches tailored to specific deckbuilding needs or collection management tasks.
Searching Your MTG Arena Collection Effectively
Efficiently navigating your Magic: The Gathering Arena collection is crucial for deckbuilding and understanding your available resources. Arena provides a robust search system, allowing you to filter cards based on a variety of criteria. Mastering these search functions will significantly improve your overall gameplay experience. This involves understanding the syntax of the search bar, utilizing advanced filters, and leveraging saved searches for quick access to frequently used card groups.
Begin by familiarizing yourself with the basic search operators. Using keywords like “name,” “mana,” “type,” “rarity,” and “set” allows you to pinpoint specific cards or groups of cards. For example, searching “name:Island type:land” will quickly locate all basic Island cards in your collection. You can also use boolean operators like “AND,” “OR,” and “NOT” to combine search terms for more complex queries. For example, “type:creature AND mana:G” will display all green creature cards.
Furthermore, Arena offers advanced filtering options accessible through the filter icon. These filters allow you to specify criteria such as color identity, converted mana cost, power, toughness, and keywords. Combining these filters with text-based searches provides a highly granular level of control over your search results. Experimenting with different combinations of filters and keywords is key to mastering the collection search functionality.
Finally, consider saving frequently used searches. This feature is invaluable for quickly accessing specific card groups for deckbuilding or analysis. Saving a search for your preferred mana base or a specific tribal strategy can save significant time and effort in the long run.
People Also Ask About Searching MTG Arena Collections
How do I search for specific card names in MTG Arena?
To search for a specific card name, simply type the name, or part of the name, into the search bar. Arena’s search function utilizes partial matching, so you don’t need to enter the full card name. For instance, typing “lava” will display cards like “Lava Axe” and “Lava Spike.”
Can I search for cards with specific keywords or abilities?
Searching for Keywords
Yes, you can search for cards with specific keywords by using the “keyword:” operator followed by the keyword you’re looking for. Ensure the keyword is enclosed in quotation marks if it consists of multiple words. For example, “keyword:“Flying”” will return all cards with Flying, and “keyword:“First Strike”” will return all cards with First Strike.
Advanced Filtering for Abilities
While the keyword search is effective for common keywords, some abilities aren’t searchable this way. In these cases, consider using the advanced filters accessible through the filter icon. These filters often offer more specific options related to card mechanics and abilities, allowing you to find cards even without knowing the exact keyword.
How do I search for cards within a specific set?
Use the “set:” operator followed by the set code. For example, “set:NEO” will show you cards from the Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty set. You can find set codes online through various MTG resources. These are typically three-letter abbreviations.
How can I filter my collection by color?
You can filter by color using the “color:” operator followed by the color abbreviation (W, U, B, R, G). You can also combine colors using operators. For example, “color:R OR color:G” will display red and green cards. Using the “c:” shortcut achieves the same result: “c:RG” will also display red and green cards. Additionally, you can use the color filter in the advanced filter options for more visual and interactive color selection.
Can I save my searches in MTG Arena?
Yes, MTG Arena allows you to save searches. After constructing your search query, click the “Save Search” icon (usually a floppy disk or similar symbol) located near the search bar. You can then name your saved search for easy access later. This is highly recommended for frequently used searches like your mana base or specific deck archetypes.