MTGA Collection Tracking & Deck Sync: A Comprehensive Guide

Nov 26, 2025 by Alex Johnson 60 views

Are you looking to enhance your MTGA experience by effortlessly tracking your card collection and ensuring seamless deck synchronization? This comprehensive guide dives deep into the process of implementing collection tracking from log-based deck data and explores various deck synchronization improvements. We will explore how to leverage MTGA log events to build a robust collection tracking system and streamline your deck management process. This article provides a detailed overview of the tasks involved, technical considerations, and UI enhancements required to achieve a more integrated and user-friendly MTGA experience. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, understanding these concepts can significantly improve your gameplay and deck-building strategies.

1. Building a "Known Collection" from Deck Data

In this section, we'll explore how to establish a foundational card collection by extracting valuable data from MTGA log events. This process involves identifying all the unique cards present in your decks and using this information to create a baseline collection. By carefully analyzing the EventGetCoursesV2 log, we can pinpoint the cards you own, laying the groundwork for comprehensive collection tracking. This method provides a reliable way to build a database of your cards, allowing you to better manage your resources and strategize your deck-building. Understanding the nuances of this extraction process is crucial for anyone looking to optimize their MTGA experience. This involves extracting all unique cards from all decks listed in the EventGetCoursesV2 log. This log is a goldmine of information as it contains a list of all player decks, complete with their card inventories. Think of it as a digital snapshot of your entire deck library within MTGA. Cards that are found within these decks are considered cards that you definitively own. This holds true with one exception: the UnownedCards field. This field specifically flags cards within a deck that you do not own. So, we essentially filter out those cards to ensure our "Known Collection" only reflects cards you possess. Once we've identified all the cards you own based on your decks, we store this information as a baseline collection in a database. This database becomes the central repository for your collection data. However, this is just the first step. To build a more complete picture of your collection, we can combine this data with information from your draft picks. This provides a more comprehensive understanding of your card pool.

1.1. Extracting Card Data from `EventGetCoursesV2`

The EventGetCoursesV2 log event is where the magic begins. This event, automatically generated by MTGA, contains a wealth of information about your decks, including a comprehensive list of the cards they contain. By parsing this log, we can gain valuable insights into your card ownership. Think of this log as a detailed blueprint of your entire deck collection. Within this log, each deck is meticulously documented, providing a clear picture of the cards it comprises. This level of detail is essential for accurately tracking your collection. The process of extracting card data from this log involves identifying and isolating the relevant information. We need to sift through the log's contents, pinpointing the specific sections that list the cards within each deck. This requires a keen understanding of the log's structure and the ability to efficiently parse the data. Once we've extracted the card lists, we can begin the process of building your "Known Collection." This involves compiling all the unique cards from all the decks, creating a comprehensive inventory of your owned cards.

1.2. Identifying Owned Cards (Excluding `UnownedCards`)

While the log provides a list of cards within each deck, it also includes a crucial detail: the UnownedCards field. This field flags any cards within the deck that you do not own. This distinction is critical for accurately tracking your collection. We need to carefully exclude these unowned cards from our "Known Collection" to ensure that it accurately reflects your possessions. Think of this process as a quality control measure, ensuring that our collection database only includes cards that you legitimately own. This requires a careful filtering process, where we meticulously check each card against the UnownedCards field. Only cards that are not flagged in this field are included in your collection. This attention to detail ensures the integrity of your collection data, providing a reliable foundation for future deck-building and strategy.

1.3. Storing the Baseline Collection in a Database

Once we've extracted the owned cards from the log data, the next step is to store this information in a structured database. This database serves as the central repository for your card collection, providing a persistent and organized record of your possessions. Think of this database as your personal MTGA card catalog, allowing you to easily access and manage your collection. Storing the collection in a database offers several advantages. It allows for efficient querying and retrieval of card data, making it easy to search for specific cards or filter your collection based on various criteria. It also provides a stable and reliable storage solution, ensuring that your collection data is preserved even if you switch devices or reinstall MTGA. Furthermore, a database allows for easy integration with other tools and applications, enabling you to leverage your collection data in various ways. This might include deck-building tools, collection analysis dashboards, or even trading platforms. The choice of database technology will depend on the specific requirements of your setup. Options include relational databases like MySQL or PostgreSQL, as well as NoSQL databases like MongoDB. Each option offers its own set of advantages and trade-offs, so it's important to carefully consider your needs before making a decision.

1.4. Combining with Draft Picks for a More Complete Picture

While extracting card data from decks provides a solid foundation for your collection tracking, it doesn't capture the full picture. Draft picks, acquired through drafting events, also contribute significantly to your card pool. To gain a truly comprehensive understanding of your collection, it's essential to incorporate this draft data. Think of this as adding another layer of detail to your collection catalog, ensuring that all your cards are accounted for. The process of integrating draft data involves identifying and extracting information about the cards you've picked in each draft event. This data can be obtained from various sources, including MTGA log files or third-party tracking tools. Once you have the draft data, you can merge it with your existing collection data from decks. This involves identifying new cards that you've acquired through drafting and adding them to your collection database. This step ensures that your collection database reflects your entire card pool, including cards obtained through both deck-building and drafting. By combining deck data with draft picks, you can create a more accurate and complete picture of your MTGA card collection. This comprehensive view allows you to make informed decisions about deck-building, resource management, and overall strategy.

2. Deck Source Identification

To effectively manage and organize your decks, it's crucial to distinguish their origins. Identifying the source of each deck – whether it's imported from MTGA logs, created within MTGA-Companion, or derived from draft events – allows for better categorization and handling. This section delves into the importance of deck source identification and outlines the different source types. By implementing a system to track deck sources, we can ensure that decks are handled appropriately, preventing accidental deletion of user-created decks and providing a clear distinction between various deck origins. This enhances user experience by providing more control over deck management. Adding a new source value like "arena" (or "mtga") is essential to differentiate decks originating from MTGA logs from those created within MTGA-Companion or imported from other sources. This allows us to categorize decks based on their origin, providing a clear distinction between them. Here's a breakdown of the different deck sources we'll be using:

arena (or mtga): These are decks imported directly from MTGA logs. A key characteristic of these decks is that they should not be deletable by the user. This prevents accidental deletion of decks that are integral to your MTGA account.
constructed: These decks are created directly within MTGA-Companion. They represent your custom-built decks and are fully controlled by the user.
draft: These decks are generated from draft events within MTGA. They represent your limited-format decks and provide a record of your drafting history.
imported: These decks are imported from external sources, such as text files or other deck-building tools. They represent decks that you've created or found outside of the MTGA ecosystem.

By implementing these source categories, we can effectively manage and organize your decks, providing a clear understanding of their origin and preventing unintended actions.

2.1. Defining Deck Sources: arena, constructed, draft, imported

Establishing clear definitions for each deck source is critical for maintaining a well-organized deck library. Each source type represents a distinct origin for your decks, influencing how they should be handled and managed within the system. Understanding these definitions is key to ensuring that decks are categorized and treated appropriately. The arena (or mtga) source represents decks that are automatically imported from MTGA logs. These decks reflect your in-game collection and deck-building activity within MTGA itself. A defining characteristic of these decks is that they should typically not be deletable by the user, as they represent your core MTGA deck library. The constructed source, on the other hand, signifies decks that are created manually within MTGA-Companion. These are your custom-built decks, meticulously crafted to your specifications. Constructed decks are fully controlled by the user, allowing for complete flexibility in editing and deletion. The draft source denotes decks that are generated from drafting events within MTGA. These decks represent your limited-format creations, reflecting your card choices during the draft. These decks provide a valuable record of your drafting history and performance. Finally, the imported source encompasses decks that are imported from external sources, such as text files or other deck-building tools. These decks represent decks that you've created or discovered outside of the MTGA ecosystem, allowing you to integrate them into your MTGA-Companion library. By clearly defining these deck sources, we establish a framework for managing and organizing your decks effectively. This ensures that decks are handled appropriately based on their origin, preventing accidental deletions and providing a clear understanding of your deck library.

2.2. Rationale Behind Non-Deletable "arena" Decks

The decision to make "arena" sourced decks non-deletable stems from the fact that these decks represent your core MTGA collection and deck-building activity within the game itself. These decks are automatically imported from MTGA logs, reflecting the decks you've built and played within MTGA. Preventing users from deleting these decks safeguards against accidental data loss and ensures that your MTGA deck library is always accurately reflected within MTGA-Companion. Think of these decks as a mirror of your in-game deck collection. They provide a synchronized view of your MTGA decks within MTGA-Companion, allowing you to easily manage and access them. Allowing deletion of these decks could lead to inconsistencies between your in-game collection and the MTGA-Companion representation, potentially causing confusion and frustration. Therefore, making these decks non-deletable is a crucial safeguard against data loss and ensures a consistent user experience. This policy ensures that your core MTGA deck collection remains intact and synchronized, allowing you to focus on deck-building and gameplay without worrying about accidental deletions.

3. Deck Sync Logic

Now, let's delve into the core logic that governs how decks are synchronized between MTGA and MTGA-Companion. This synchronization process ensures that your deck library is consistently up-to-date, reflecting any changes made in either MTGA or MTGA-Companion. This section outlines the key rules and procedures for deck synchronization, covering scenarios such as deck creation, updates, and deletions. By understanding this logic, you can appreciate the intricacies of maintaining a synchronized deck library and ensure that your decks are always accurately represented across platforms. The deck sync logic comes into play when the EventGetCoursesV2 log is processed. This log provides a snapshot of your current MTGA deck library, allowing us to compare it with the decks stored in MTGA-Companion's database. Based on this comparison, we can determine the necessary actions to synchronize your deck library. The logic handles several scenarios:

Decks present in log but not in DB: If a deck exists in the MTGA log but is not found in the MTGA-Companion database, it indicates that the deck is new and needs to be created. In this case, a new deck record is created in the database with the source set to "arena."
Decks present in both: If a deck exists in both the MTGA log and the MTGA-Companion database, it means that the deck already exists but may have been updated. In this case, the deck's card list and metadata are updated in the database to reflect the latest information from the log.
Decks in DB with source="arena" but NOT in log: If a deck exists in the MTGA-Companion database with the source set to "arena" but is not found in the MTGA log, it indicates that the deck has been deleted in MTGA. In this case, the deck is deleted from the MTGA-Companion database.
Decks in DB with source="constructed": Decks with the source set to "constructed" are user-created decks and should never be automatically deleted. These decks are fully controlled by the user and should only be deleted manually.

3.1. Creating New Decks from Logs (Source = "arena")

When a deck appears in the MTGA log (EventGetCoursesV2) but is absent from the MTGA-Companion database, it signifies a new deck that needs to be added to your MTGA-Companion library. This scenario typically occurs when you've built a new deck within MTGA and it hasn't yet been synchronized with MTGA-Companion. The sync logic automatically detects these new decks and creates corresponding entries in the MTGA-Companion database. The crucial aspect of this process is setting the deck's source to "arena." This designation clearly identifies the deck as originating from MTGA logs, triggering the non-deletable behavior discussed earlier. This automatic creation ensures that your MTGA-Companion deck library accurately reflects your in-game collection, minimizing manual deck management efforts. Think of this as MTGA-Companion automatically importing your newly created MTGA decks, keeping your deck library synchronized across platforms. This streamlined process ensures that you always have access to your latest decks within MTGA-Companion, ready for analysis, editing, or export.

3.2. Updating Existing Decks (Card List & Metadata)

Decks are dynamic entities, frequently undergoing modifications as you refine your strategies and adapt to the evolving meta. When a deck exists in both the MTGA log and the MTGA-Companion database, it's essential to ensure that the MTGA-Companion version reflects the latest changes. This is where the deck update logic comes into play. This logic compares the deck information from the MTGA log with the corresponding deck in the MTGA-Companion database, identifying any discrepancies in the card list or metadata. If differences are detected, the MTGA-Companion deck is updated to match the MTGA log, ensuring that your deck library is always synchronized. This update process encompasses both the card list and the deck's metadata, such as its name, format, and any other relevant information. This comprehensive update ensures that your MTGA-Companion deck is a true reflection of your in-game version. Think of this as MTGA-Companion automatically tracking changes to your decks within MTGA and applying those changes to your MTGA-Companion library. This seamless update process ensures that you always have access to the most up-to-date version of your decks, regardless of where the changes were made.

3.3. Deleting "arena" Decks Removed from MTGA

Maintaining a clean and accurate deck library requires not only adding new decks and updating existing ones but also removing decks that are no longer present in MTGA. When a deck with the source "arena" is found in the MTGA-Companion database but is not present in the MTGA log, it indicates that the deck has been deleted within MTGA. In this scenario, the deck sync logic automatically deletes the corresponding deck from the MTGA-Companion database. This automatic deletion ensures that your MTGA-Companion deck library accurately mirrors your MTGA collection, preventing clutter and confusion. This behavior applies specifically to "arena" sourced decks, as these decks are considered to be directly managed by MTGA. Decks with other sources, such as "constructed," are not automatically deleted, as they are assumed to be user-managed and should only be removed manually. Think of this as MTGA-Companion automatically cleaning up your deck library by removing decks that you've deleted within MTGA. This keeps your MTGA-Companion library tidy and prevents it from becoming cluttered with outdated or irrelevant decks. This automated process ensures that your deck library remains a faithful reflection of your in-game collection, simplifying deck management and strategy.

3.4. Preventing Auto-Deletion of "constructed" Decks

Decks created within MTGA-Companion, designated with the source "constructed," represent your custom-built strategies and personal creations. These decks are fully controlled by you and should never be automatically deleted by the deck sync logic. This protection ensures that your carefully crafted decks are preserved, even if they are no longer present in your MTGA collection. The deck sync logic specifically excludes "constructed" decks from the automatic deletion process. This means that even if a "constructed" deck is not found in the MTGA log, it will remain in your MTGA-Companion library until you manually delete it. This behavior safeguards against accidental data loss and ensures that you retain full control over your custom decks. Think of this as MTGA-Companion respecting your creative ownership of your "constructed" decks. These decks are treated as your personal property and are protected from automatic deletion, allowing you to experiment with deck-building and maintain a stable library of your favorite strategies. This policy ensures that you have the freedom to build and manage your decks as you see fit, without the risk of unintended data loss.

4. UI Considerations

To enhance user experience and provide clear information about deck sources, certain UI elements need to be implemented. This section outlines the key UI considerations for displaying deck sources and preventing accidental deletion of "arena" decks. By implementing these UI enhancements, we can create a more intuitive and user-friendly experience for managing your MTGA decks within MTGA-Companion. This involves several key UI considerations:

4.1. Indicating Deck Source in the UI (Badge/Indicator)

Clearly displaying the source of each deck within the UI is crucial for providing users with a quick and easy way to understand the origin of their decks. This visual cue allows users to distinguish between "arena" decks, which are non-deletable, and other deck types, such as "constructed" decks, which can be freely deleted. A simple badge or indicator next to each deck's name can effectively convey this information. Different visual cues can be used to represent different sources. For example, an "arena" deck might have a small MTGA logo badge, while a "constructed" deck might have a pencil icon. This visual differentiation allows users to quickly grasp the deck's source without having to delve into detailed information. Think of this as adding visual labels to your decks, making it easy to identify their origin at a glance. This visual clarity simplifies deck management and helps prevent accidental deletion of important decks.

4.2. Preventing Deletion of "arena" Decks in the UI

To prevent accidental deletion of "arena" decks, the UI should visually indicate that these decks cannot be deleted and disable the deletion action. This can be achieved by greying out the delete button or removing it altogether for "arena" decks. This visual and functional constraint clearly communicates that these decks are managed by the system and should not be manually deleted. This safeguard protects against unintended data loss and ensures that your core MTGA deck library remains intact. Think of this as adding a lock symbol to "arena" decks, visually preventing accidental deletion. This clear visual cue reinforces the non-deletable nature of these decks, providing peace of mind and preventing unintended actions. This UI enhancement significantly reduces the risk of accidental deck deletion, ensuring a more stable and user-friendly deck management experience.

4.3. Filtering Decks by Source in the Deck List

To facilitate efficient deck management, it's beneficial to allow users to filter their deck list by source. This filtering functionality enables users to quickly view decks from a specific source, such as "arena" or "constructed," making it easier to manage and organize their deck library. A simple filter dropdown or a set of source-specific tabs can provide this filtering capability. This filtering feature allows users to focus on decks from a particular source, streamlining deck management tasks. For example, a user might want to view only their "constructed" decks to edit them or create new strategies. Filtering by source makes this process much more efficient. Think of this as adding a sorting mechanism to your deck library, allowing you to quickly find and manage decks based on their origin. This filtering capability enhances deck organization and streamlines deck management tasks, making it easier to find the decks you need when you need them.

Acceptance Criteria

To ensure the successful implementation of these features, specific acceptance criteria must be met:

[ ] The collection page accurately displays cards extracted from all synced decks.
[ ] Arena-sourced decks synchronize correctly (create/update/delete) as described in the deck sync logic.
[ ] User-created decks are never auto-deleted, ensuring the preservation of custom strategies.
[ ] The UI clearly indicates deck source, using badges or other visual indicators.
[ ] The UI prevents deletion of arena decks, safeguarding against accidental data loss.

Conclusion

By implementing collection tracking from log-based deck data and improving deck synchronization, we can significantly enhance the MTGA experience. This comprehensive guide has outlined the key tasks, technical considerations, and UI enhancements required to achieve a more integrated and user-friendly MTGA experience. From building a "Known Collection" to implementing robust deck sync logic and UI safeguards, these improvements provide a solid foundation for managing your MTGA card collection and decks efficiently. Remember to explore additional resources and tools to further optimize your MTGA experience. For instance, you can learn more about deck-building strategies and card evaluations on websites like MTGGoldfish, which provides valuable insights into the Magic: The Gathering meta and helps you refine your deck-building skills.