Updated features include user authentication, user interfaces, API integrations, deck building, validation, and search features. The toolbox includes: ReactJS, AWS, Express, Axios, MongoDB, MTGJSON SDK, PayPal, and the Scryfall API. Hosting provided by Netlify and Heroku.
Version 0.6 and Deckster API version 1.0 were released on 03-01-2022. Subsequent patch release dates are below.
Table of Contents
- User Account and Authentication
- Application Programming Interface
- Upgraded syntax for deprecated features
- Expanded card searches
- Added deck search feature
- Deck Technology
- All print and digital card versions are accessible
- Enhancements to selector interfaces
- Deck validation panel
- Added new formats
- Search Pages
- Implemented new card search page
- Deck search page
- Development Roadmap
- Incorporate cubes and card collections
- Import / export decks
- Edit cards while building deck
- Implement new safeguard when deleting decks
- Deck views and likes
- Add deck categories and tags
- Expand user account information
- Incorporate card and total deck prices
- Enhance the companion feature
- Patch Notes 0.6.1
- Import decklists to mainboard and sideboard
- Export decklist from Deck page
- Edit full card list in Card Selector
- Success notifications for Deck page tasks
- Implemented deck themes and tags
- API updates for deck search results
- Donation form added to Contact page
- Deck and card pricing incorporated
- Added new formats
- Patch Notes 0.6.2
- Streamline Deck page animations
- Live deck validation
- Deck Search API rework
- Import decks / edit cards with card number
- Shareable image creator for decklist
- Patch Notes 0.6.3
- API Maintenance for Card and Deck Searches
- Deck Share features removed
- Font and Style Upgrades
- Patch Notes 0.6.4
- Integrate server-side rendering for Deck pages
- Add Battle cards to global features
- Major EDH-style formats upgrades and inclusions for multiple commanders
- Companion upgrades for EDH-style formats
- Introduction of Oathbreaker format
- Warning message implemented for unsaved deck changes
- Security updates for database and analytics data
- Style Modifications for Deck Lists
- Validator Upgrade
- Patch Notes 0.6.5
- Revise error messages for card searches
- Incorporate new features for User Preferences, Deck Options, and Folders
- Optimize user login with new features
- Add Views and Folders to Deck pages
- Optimize card searches
- Patch Notes 0.6.6
- API scripts updated for new user and deck features
- Optimize deck searches
- Patch Notes 0.6.7
- Mobile view and WCAG / ADA revisions
- Patch Notes 0.6.8
- New brand redesign implemented
- Patches to mapped elements
- Mobile style revisions for Deck pages
- Signup modifications
- Privacy and Archived markers added to Profile decklist
- Patch Notes 0.6.9
- Patch to Card Selector on New and Edit Deck Pages
- Style Adjustments for deck building buttons
- Update Import and Export features for decks
- Patch Notes 0.6.10
- Optimize Card Selector edit deck feature
- Implement collector number into decks
- Patch Notes 0.6.11
- Optimize Commander Selector to gather commanders and partners
- Gallery and List view patches to repetitive content
- Style revisions to global buttons
- Validator patches to total deck counts
1. User Account and Authentication
Style and bug fixes were made to the sign up and verification process and pages. Email structure added the verification page link.
2. Application Programming Interface
a. Upgraded syntax for deprecated features
The Deckster API was updated to version 1.0.1 with the latest packages and deprecated features were rewritten for functionality improvements. All endpoints were updated to include the new MongoDB collection.countDocuments({}) while parsing responses.
b. Expanded card searches
Both the card search and commander card search endpoints were updated to work with new data sources. All printed and digital versions of cards are now accessible in all components accessing these endpoints. The Scryfall API was integrated for refined search results and organized imagery.
c. Added deck search feature
A new endpoint was added to search for decks containing user input found in either the deck name or description as well as specifying a format. As the deck enhancements continue, new query parameters will be added to the search feature.
3. Deck Technology
a. All print and digital card versions are accessible
New data sources have been integrated throughout the application. Deck validation was udpated in conjunction with the new data sources.
Artwork has been updated and older decks require a new deck image to be added via the Image Selector. All cards are predominantly high resolution and deck images are now pulling cropped artwork for the card being searched.
b. Enhancements to selector interfaces
The Card, Commander, and Image Selectors were all updated to include all available print and digital card versions. The card preview now includes modal double face and transform cards as well as cards that do not have an exclusive multiverse id.
c. Deck validation panel
A new deck validation panel was added to correlate with the visual representations of errors within a deck. Cards sharing the same name but different print versions are accepted up to 4 of a kind in any given deck. The validator counts both mainboard and sideboard cards for these differences. All cards are checked against their corresponding format for legality. In the Commander format, more than one version of a card is marked as an error. Sideboard errors show only in the deck count area of the deck stats as not being 15 cards total, but does not deter from the full deck being considered a legal deck. Within their respective formats, if more than the necessary number of cards — no less than 60 or more or less than 100 cards (including the commander) — is detected in the mainboard, the deck is marked as not legal for the format.
d. Added new formats
Decks can now be built in Alchemy, Historic, and Pauper formats. Deck validation was added to the new formats.
4. Search Pages
a. Implemented new card search page
The Card Search page has been completely reworked to utilize the new data sources and card designs. Search results provide the new high resolution images and check for modal double face and transform cards to properly display them. A new Colorless option was added to the colors panel as well as an option to exclude other colors.
b. Deck search page
A new page was built to allow users to search publicly accessible decks based on the contents of the deck's name or description. There is an option to add a specific format to the query.
5. Development Roadmap
a. Incorporate cubes and card collections
The plan will be to incorporate a non validated card template for a new List feature that may be designated as a Card Collection or Cube. The Card Collection will be a private or public collection of cards. If a List is marked as a Cube will be accessible with other decks built in searches if made public.
b. Import / export decks
Buttons will be added to the Add Deck and Edit Deck pages to either import or export a decklist. A format will be created and explained to import generic data to populate the boards in Deckster. Exporting will include multiple export format options.
c. Edit cards while building deck
Once cards are added to either board, it will be essential for the user to click on it and be able to edit the card options and count directly as well as continue to remove it from the board. An enhancement to the list interface will be built within the Card Selector.
d. Implement new safeguard when deleting decks
When deleting a deck, there will be a safeguard added to type the word delete before the user can successfully delete the deck.
e. Deck views and likes
User engagement will slowly be added to the application. The first wave will include deck voting and total views of publicly accessible decks.
f. Add deck categories and tags
Decks will have categories to imply the different themes for decks that will be searchable in the new Deck Search page. Tags will help for search queries and enhancements to the search API feature.
g. Expand user account information
The addition of more fields for user information will be added to the Profile and Edit Profile pages. This will be a stepping stone to introduce more user engagement tools in the future.
h. Incorporate card and total deck prices
Currently exploring options for integrating TCG Player and Card Kingdom card prices to add to the cards when viewing decks.
i. Enhance the companion feature
Companions are automatically discovered in sideboards of 60-card decks in all formats that support a sideboard. There will either be an expansion or full rewrite of the companion feature to incorporate it with the Commander format.
6. Patch Notes 0.6.1 — 04-15-2022
Deckster API was updated to version 1.0.2
a. Import decklists to mainboard and sideboard
A new button was added to the New Deck page that allows a user to import cards directly to the selected board. The import feature takes a user-provided deck list — consisting of an entry per line that has the card count, name, and set code — then parses each line to search for the specified card within the set and adds it and its total card count to the chosen board.
b. Export decklist from Deck page
The Deck page has a new button to export the current deck. The deck information is gathered and converted into a string consisting of the card count followed by the card name and card set code. The exported list may be used to import the cards into other applications, games, and tools that require the text format.
c. Edit full card list in Card Selector
The Card Selector has been modified to include an Edit button when there is one or more card in either the mainboard or sideboard. It will export the text version of the current list in which the user may edit the card count, card name, or card set code. Saving will populate the new deck list with the imported information.
d. Success notifications for Deck page tasks
Upon completing the copy link or export decklist feature, a new success message appears notifying the user it was successfully copied to the clipboard. The icon of the button also appears as a clipboard. After five seconds, the button and modal are set back to their default states.
e. Implemented deck themes and tags
Themes and tags have been added to the New Deck and Edit Deck pages. One of the following themes may be chosen for the current deck: Aggro, Control, Midrange, or Combo. Additional tags may be added to the deck as an optional feature. The Search API can access this information if a user is searching for a specific theme or certain terms that should be associated with a deck and are not in the name or description.
f. Deck Search page and API updates
New theme and tag features were incorporated into the Deck Search page and search API. Results now include any tags within the search terms as well as any selected theme provided.
g. Donation form added to Contact page
Donations are now accepted with a new form on the contact page via PayPal Checkout API.
h. Deck and card pricing incorporated
Card prices are available on the Deck page for each card when rendered in a deck mainboard or sideboard. Prices are updated daily and are reflected on each page load. A total deck value is calculated based on the latest prices that may be seen in the deck stats area on the Deck page.
i. Added new formats
Decks can now be built in Premodern, Oldschool, and Penny Dreadful formats. Deck validation was added to the new formats.
7. Patch Notes 0.6.2 — 08-12-2022
Deckster API was updated to version 1.0.3
a. Streamline Deck page animations
Fix bugs associated with animations, responsive viewport changes, and light/dark mode adjustments. Styles also needed to be updated after including new fewatures for Deck pages.
b. Live deck validation
Deck pricing and validation are both checked upon loading the deck. Originally just prices were loaded, but the inclusion of a final validation check was added to catch spontaneous banned and restricted announcements. Bannings and restrictions should appear within the day of the announcement and reflected on a deck before the deck has been updated.
c. Deck Search API rework
The Deck Search page required an update to the API in order to process all the fields correctly and return as many results as possible associated with any particular deck search. Bug fixes and rewriting queries were required to correctly incorporate themes and tags with description and title information.
d. Import decks / edit cards with card number
An additional search parameter was added to the import decks and edit cards buttons on both the New Deck and Edit Deck pages via the Card Selector. Adding the parameters (###) to the end of the card string like # Card Name (SET)(###) will pull up the special card print of the same set, otherwise # Card Name (SET) will find the first print within that set.
e. Shareable image creator for decklist
A new button was added to the Deck page that allows a user to create a shareable image to any other platform. It generates an 800px by 800px JPG image within a canvas overlapping the example decklist to review.
8. Patch Notes 0.6.3 — 03-24-2023
Deckster API was updated to version 1.0.4
a. API Maintenance for Card and Deck Searches
Fix bugs associated with searching decks and cards.
b. Deck Share features removed
This feature was removed until it can be tested and reinstated for proper compliance and functionality.
c. Font and Style Upgrades
Revisions to the SCSS structure of the application was implemented and required adjustments to the fonts and rendered styles of components for Deck and Search pages.
9. Patch Notes 0.6.4 — 07-14-2023
Deckster API was updated to version 1.0.5
a. Integrate server-side rendering for Deck pages
Deck pages are now built through the Gatsby Node API as well as retrieving data on page load. Further investigation and testing will go into building out pages for social media sharing. Previous sharing features were removed to move forward with a new share approach.
b. Add Battle cards to global features
All new Battle cards are properly integrated into the application.
c. Major EDH-style formats upgrades and inclusions for multiple commanders
The partner / background feature has been added to the Commander / EDH format when adding or editing a deck.
d. Companion upgrades for EDH-style formats
Automatic detection of a companion card has been extended to Commander / EDH formats. Validation updates were made to allow for a 101 card within the deck rules only if a companion has been added to the deck.
e. Introduction of Oathbreaker format
Oathbreaker has been added as an official format. Validation and incorporation with current API and deck building tools were created in a new Oathbreaker Selector component for the New Deck and Edit Deck pages. The new ID page has been modified to handle loading and validating the current deck.
f. Warning message implemented for unsaved deck changes
A new warning message will appear when leaving a partially edited or added deck from the New Deck and Edit Deck pages. It provides a quick check before leaving the page and losing any unsaved changes.
g. Security updates for database and analytics data
Global variables were created and set up for Google Analytics, MongoDB, and Deckster API to ensure security with all environments — development and production. Servers were updated as well as ENV and code files. Pages now build out from the GraphQL data loaded from MongoDB as a subpage to the Deck directory as a template page called ID.
h. Style Modifications for Deck Lists
Styles were modified to include deck lists globally as universal components. A new sidebar deck list was added on the Profile Page for recent decks for current user.
i. Validator Upgrade
The deck validation component and validation procedures during deck building and page view have been upgraded to combine all cards into one simplified card validation function as well as incorporate new features and bug fixes to Commander and Oathbreaker formats. Previously, the validator components ignored the sideboard, now it handles the sideboard as it would the mainboard after concatenating the arrays. If multiple errors exist for the same card, priority will check if the card is legal or not within the specified format then check for a legal card count.
10. Patch Notes 0.6.5 — 12-22-2023
Deckster API was updated to version 1.0.6
a. Revise error messages for card searches
Error messages were added for returned values with no results to alert the user. Codes attached for diagnosing speed issues and monitoring future API usage.
b. Incorporate new features for User Preferences, Deck Options, and Folders
User preferences and deck options were added to each user account during the account creation and edit preference processes. Each user may select an icon, add their full name, and select another nickname to use if the username is not desired for viewing within Decklist components. Deck pages now have a toggle to view the deck in gallery or list view. An associated preference allows a logged in user to select their preferred viewing experience. A description may be added for the public user page. The user may now select whether their account page shows their decks in alphabetical or latest date modified order. Decks may now be placed within associated folders saved within the preferences. Decks may be archived when edited and either shown or hidden from the Profile page. A user may also add a description or personal information that will be used in a future release for the User Profile landing page to display basic and allowed public information on the user when the future link from a deck card is clicked.
c. Optimize user login for new preferences
The login process has been optimized for AWS Auth 5.x and will be slated for a future upgrade to AWS Auth 6.0 or higher. Gatsby components have also been upgraded to the latest versions with new processes for saving and loading user data. Future upgrade preparations have been made to optimize the generated page headers and AWS Auth to remove deprecated components and packages.
d. Add Views and Folders to Deck pages
Deck pages now have a toggle to view the deck in gallery or list view. An associated preference allows a logged in user to select their preferred viewing experience. Decks may now be placed within associated folders saved within the preferences. Decks may be added to folders for categorization and organization purposes. A filter was added to the Profile page to sort through decks.
e. Optimize card searches
Card searches through the API were optimized to include current format with deck building. Importing full decks now properly grabs the correct card with set and card number formatting provided.
11. Patch Notes 0.6.6 — 12-28-2023
Deckster API was updated to version 1.0.7
a. API scripts updated for new user and deck features
All API scripts were optimized for saving, loading, and removing data from MongoDB and seamlessly retrieving data from other sources. Major revisions were made for deck searches within MongoDB.
b. Optimize deck searches
The Deck Search page and scripts have been optimized to perform more precise searches with the options available. The page may now be enhanced with more query options with the optimized processes.
12. Patch Notes 0.6.7 — 12-29-2023
a. Mobile view and WCAG / ADA revisions
Revisions were made for all major updates since 0.6.5 to adjust for mobile responsive view and WCAG / ADA compliance.
13. Patch Notes 0.6.8 — 01-16-2024
a. New brand redesign implemented
A new logo design was implemented throughout the application. Colors and layout were slightly adjusted to accommodate the new approach. Navigation icon and link updates were made to adjust for future content and properly display appropriate icons for when the user is logged in or out.
b. Patches to mapped elements
Elements recently created that required mapping objects were now given proper keys for tracking and building pages.
c. Mobile style revisions for Deck pages
The gallery toggle has been adjusted for desktop and mobile views. Modifications to list hovers were made for mobile as well as adjustments to overall light and dark mode views.
d. Signup modifications
The Signup page has been modified to properly notate the limitations to a new username. Instructions and information about nicknames within the new preferences were added to the page.
e. Privacy and Archived markers added to Profile decklist
Private decks now have a lock icon in the upper corner of the full decklist on the Profile page. An archived folder will also be noted with a folder icon in the upper left.
14. Patch Notes 0.6.9 — 01-20-2024
a. Patch to Card Selector on New and Edit Deck Pages
The Card Selector was updated to now properly identify the currently selected format or default to vintage in order to gather all possible card results while omitting online-only cards.
b. Style Adjustments for deck building buttons
Button styles for all selector components have been adjusted to target unique styles and properly float the buttons underneath the search results to select a card.
c. Update Import and Export features for decks
The import deck feature on New and Edit Deck pages allows the importing of cards with formats that correspond with other tools. The import feature now parses the string to include # CARD (SET) ### format of the decklist being imported. The export deck feature now includes the collector number for updated and newly built decks. Older decks may reimport their entries to add the collector number to the currently built deck. New decks will now add the collector number to the card entry for the decklist.
15. Patch Notes 0.6.10 — 01-23-2024
a. Optimize Card Selector edit deck feature
The Card Selector was updated to now properly add the collector number when editing decks. The same feature was patched for building a new deck after importing a new cards.
b. Implement collector number into decks
When a card is added to the database, it now collects and saves its specific collector number to the entry. This helps streamline building a new deck or editing an existing one with the manual and full edit features on their respective pages.
16. Patch Notes 0.6.11 — 05-23-2024
a. Optimize Commander Selector to gather commanders and partners
Commander and partner cards may properly be selected and now include all types of partner variant card abilities.
b. Gallery and List view patches to repetitive content
The gallery and list views have been modified to only show one card in each category but will correctly keep them when filtered.
c. Style revisions to global buttons
Buttons now display properly across the website and application forms.
d. Validator patches to total deck counts
Validation was addressed when cards reached maximum capacity for Commander and Oathbreaker decks while allowing for the additional companion card if the deck so has it.