Keyboard shortcuts

Press ← or → to navigate between chapters

Press S or / to search in the book

Press ? to show this help

Press Esc to hide this help

Card Search

ArcaneMetriX provides a powerful search interface that goes beyond simple card names. You can use natural language and/or advanced logical operators to find exactly the cards you need for your deck. We use the default Scryfall query syntax for advanced searching as our foundation. This query language can be used in the search bar, however, we also provide a more user-friendly, natural language interface for common search queries.

By default, typing into the search bar will suggest card names, keyword categories, and other card attributes.

  • Card Names: Typing a partial name will suggest matching cards.
  • Triggers: Search for common card effects like “Blink”, “Draw”, or “Ramp”.

The search bar automatically categorizes suggestions into sections for easier navigation:

  • Sets: Search within set releases across Magic’s history (e.g., “Theros Beyond Death”, “Seventh Edition”).
  • Keywords: Search for specific abilities (e.g., “Flying”, “Trample”).
  • Types: Filter by card types (e.g., “Artifact”, “Instant”).
  • Tribes: Find cards matching specific creature types (e.g., “Elf”, “Dragon”).
  • Colors: Filter by color identity using mana symbols, names, or clan names (e.g., “W”, “Boros”, “Grixis”).

Logical Operators

You can use prefixes to apply additional logic to your search categories. By default multiple search categories are joined with an AND. This means a search is exclusionary by default. So if you search “white” and “enchantment” you will only get cards that are both white and an enchantment.

To exclude a category from your search, use any of the following prefixes: not , no , non, without , or -.

Exclusion suggestions are highlighted in Red in the dropdown and appear as Red Chips in the search bar.

Example: zombie and not black will search Zombie type cards that exclude any black in their color identity.

To include cards that match either one term or another, use the or or | prefix.

OR suggestions are highlighted in Blue in the dropdown and appear as Blue Chips in the search bar.

Example: flying and or trample will find cards that have either flying or trample.

Combining Filters

You can mix and match standard, exclusive, and inclusive filters to create complex queries.

  • Standard Filters (AND) must match all terms.
  • Exclusive Filters (NOT) are applied to exclude terms from the entire query.
  • Inclusive Filters (OR) are applied to include terms in the query.

Example Terms: unearth, or flashback, not red

  • Finds cards with unearth OR
  • Finds cards with flashback excluding anything with red in its color identity

Notice here that order matters as we do see cards with red in its color identity in the results. This is because use of or splits the query and a not modifier will only apply to the respective section of the query (in this case, no red flashback spells).

Advanced Search Interface

To access the advanced search interface, click the “Advanced Search” button in the search bar. This will open a menu with buttons, dropdowns, and text inputs to build your query. This will be applied in addition to any existing chips in the search bar to help narrow down your search. This interface give you a few search options that are not currently available from the search bar’s autocomplete such as price ranges, power/toughness ranges, and rarity. This also allows you to easily differentiate between exact vs inclusive color searches as well as cost vs color identity.

PRO users with Collection Tracking can also use Owned Status in Advanced Search:

  • All: Search the full card database.
  • Owned: Show cards currently present in your collection.
  • Unowned: Show cards that are not currently present in your collection.

This filter is hidden for signed-out and non-PRO users.

Power User Tips

Search Bar Hotkeys

The ability to quickly search for what you need just using the search bar is completely possible without even reaching for your mouse.

  • Use arrow keys to select options based on your search in the dropdown
  • Clear all current search terms with Shift + Enter while the search bar is focused
  • Already know what you want? Add a card directly to your deck from search autocomplete options with Alt + Enter while highlighting the desired card

Advanced Raw Queries

For power users, the search bar also accepts raw Scryfall query syntax to build even more complex queries.

Example Search: t:legendary -t:land id<=esper usd<=10.00 o:/^{T}:/ would find all legendary cards that are not lands, falling within the esper (white, blue, black) color identity, costing $10 or less, and have a tap ability with no other payment (found using regex).

If you want more details on the Scryfall query syntax, please refer to the Scryfall Search Reference documentation

Tip

Search is a view like any other. On desktop it starts in the left pane, but you can click Search in the rail to open it full width in the main pane when you are reading results rather than adding to a deck, then Shift+click it to send it back. Its own views, Card Search and Glossary, are listed under its rail tab.

Tip

Press / to jump into the search field of whatever panel you are in, and Ctrl+K for the command palette, which reaches every view and every action without leaving the keyboard. See The Desktop Workspace..