About Hoardkeeper
I've been playing Magic: The Gathering since around 1993. Back then it was kitchen-table Magic: multicolored decks built from whatever cards we had, no optimized internet lists, and plenty of games decided by whether Royal Assassin or Prodigal Sorcerer showed up first.
Like many long-time players, my collection grew over the decades. What started as a few cards became a hoard of tens of thousands of cards across hundreds of sets.
I tried collection managers, scanning apps, and inventory tools, but too often I spent more time verifying exports, correcting card identifications, and fixing collection data than I spent actually cataloging cards.
So I built my own tools.
Hoardkeeper tools validate cards by set and collector number. No guessing. No silent assumptions. If something does not match, the tools question it.
The Granny Factor
Most collectors understand their own collections. The problem comes when someone else has to understand them.
If a family member inherits a collection, helps organize it, or needs to sell it, they may not know the difference between an Ice Age card, a Zendikar card, a foil, a promo, or bulk.
Hoardkeeper is built to turn “a pile of cards” into records someone else can understand.
Available Now: Collection Builder
The Collection Builder is the first public Hoardkeeper tool. Enter cards by set code and collector number, verify them, track normal and foil copies, then export your list.
- Free to use
- No account login
- No subscription
- Exports your own files
- Compatible with future Hoardkeeper tools
As long as this site exists and I am around, the Collection Builder will remain free.
Coming to the Forest
These Woodland Critters are the tools I use to manage my own collection. They are being prepared for public release as downloadable local tools.
🦦 Weasel
Tracks missing cards within a set and helps create ownership updates.
🦫 Beaver
Builds and prepares set files used by the rest of the collection tools.
🐿️ Squirrel Factory
Reconciles collection changes, separates promotes from duplicates, and catches suspicious entries.
🐇 Rabbit
Generates candidate collection snapshots from validated changes.
🕳️ Mole
Handles controlled deployment, archiving, and file normalization.
🦝 Raccoon
Creates collection-wide summaries and ownership reports.
🦡 Ferret
Produces valuation reports and shows the value gained from completed batches.
🦉 Owl
Assists with physical verification of binders and stored cards.
Recent Updates
- Added foil-entry guidance for single foil cards.
- Added recommended 500-entry batch guidance.
- Added support for Collection Builder CSV exports in the adapter.
- Added large-set handling for very large MTG sets.
- Added additional sets discovered during real collection testing.
- Added direct contact through the Hoardkeeper mailbox.
Updates are added as I find missing sets, test new workflows, and process real cards.
FAQ
Why set codes and collector numbers?
Magic cards have many printings, promos, alternate arts, and reprints. Set code plus collector number gives the tools a much better chance of identifying the correct card.
Why not just scan cards?
Scanning can be useful, but I often spent too much time verifying scanner results. Hoardkeeper favors slower, validated entry over fast guessing.
What is PLST and why is it annoying?
Cards from The List are especially tricky because they often keep the original card’s set symbol and collector number, with only a small planeswalker symbol near the lower-left corner to identify them.
In short: check carefully. Also: Grrr WOTC.
What if a set is missing?
Email the Hoardkeeper with the set code, set name, and an example card. Missing set reports help improve the tools for everyone.
Can you value my collection?
The valuation tools are not public yet. If you export a CSV or JSON from the Collection Builder, you can contact me and I may be able to run a valuation report while those tools are being prepared.
Contact the Hoardkeeper
Found a missing set? Have a question? Need a valuation report from an exported file?
hoardkeeper@realmofthecrystals.com
- Set code
- Set name
- Example card name
- Collector number, if available