What are the "essential" HP LEGO sets?

[DaddyDeuce]

Hi all,

My kids are into LEGO now but haven't started watching the HP movies yet (oldest child is only 5). I have a feeling that when they do watch the series they will enjoy it very much. Seeing as how it looks like the entire licensed theme is being discontinued, I'd like to set aside some HP sets under the assumption that they will have a blast with them when they are older.

What would you say are the "essential" HP sets that have great play value? Not necessarily just the big sets, but the small ones that are fun builds and can lead to interactive play? What would you set aside if you were in the same position?

Thanks!

[xtremegoogler]

Well, I'm not a Harry Potter fan at all, but I bought The Burrow (4840), which has great playability, and recently the purple Knight Bus (4866). Even if your children won't like HP in the future, these sets can easily be modified to fit into City, or just be played with without any reference to Harry Potter.

Also the minifigs in these two sets are awesome!

[Lyichir]

Hi all,

My kids are into LEGO now but haven't started watching the HP movies yet (oldest child is only 5). I have a feeling that when they do watch the series they will enjoy it very much. Seeing as how it looks like the entire licensed theme is being discontinued, I'd like to set aside some HP sets under the assumption that they will have a blast with them when they are older.

What would you say are the "essential" HP sets that have great play value? Not necessarily just the big sets, but the small ones that are fun builds and can lead to interactive play? What would you set aside if you were in the same position?

Thanks!

First of all, I would recommend the more recent sets in contrast to the older ones. The newer ones, in my opinion, do a better job of capturing the impression given by the movies.

The first set I'd obviously recommend is 4842 Hogwarts Castle. Hogwarts is an integral location throughout the series, and as such will never lose importance as your kids progress through the movies. In addition, it has a great number of important characters, including Harry, Dumbledore, Hermione, Voldemort, and Snape.

As for other sets I'd recommend, the answer isn't so clear-cut. The Hogwarts Express could be an important purchase, seeing as it's one of the only sets to include Draco Malfoy (and the only one to include him in his school uniform). Also, like the Hogwarts Castle set, it can be used in scenes from many of the movies.

Other purchases may largely depend on where your kids are in the series. The Burrow is an amazing set, but without the context of the later films the antagonists will be unfamiliar. Diagon Alley is another good set, but the most important characters in it can be gotten in smaller sets like Hagrid's Hut and Freeing Dobby. It depends largely on how much you're willing to spend, and how individual scenes resonate with your kids. If they like the Quidditch scenes, for instance, you may have to get Quidditch Match.

I wouldn't consider many of the 2011 sets to be essential, as they largely feature supplementary scenes and previously-released characters. You'd be better off sticking to the 2010 line, which featured many iconic locations and characters. The exception, again, is Diagon Alley, which is an outstanding set that should be gotten if the price doesn't scare you off.

That's really the best advice I can give. Hope this helps!

[xtremegoogler]

Oh yeah, I forgot, I can also recommend the HP boardgame (Hogwarts). I've played that a lot with my nephews, who are 5 and 6 year old. It's an okay game, even if a lot of luck is involved. Comes with nine microfigs.

[B-Lister]

Burrow, Hagrid's Hut (any version.....though the first has a paper roof, it still has a lot of playability), and The Hogwarts Express.

With the train, I recommend the newest one. Great selection of characters, better accuracy (earlier versions did not include the Tender), and the Flying Ford Anglia.

[Oky]

I think it goes without saying that the large Hogwarts castle is the essential HP set as it is a nice representation of the iconic Wizarding School with nice play features and a lot of important characters. However, it doesn't include Ron sadly. If you need proof of that, you can read my review of the set.

If your kids are more into vehicles, then the Hogwarts Express is a good buy as it, too, has several important characters (including Ron!) and a lot of playability. If you want, you can add to that the Forbidden Forrest set so that you have Voldemort and Hagrid too, along with some scenery and Narcissa. Then your kids will have the most important characters, except for Hermione (who can easily be made out of other minifig parts), and can make a Hogwarts out of their own bricks.

[JackJonespaw]

I'd just recommend that cheapest Hogwarts you can get. If you get the newest version, be sure to pick up a set with Ron in it.

[Vindicare]

In addition to getting 4842, I'd add 4867 to both bulk up the castle and add some great and important(to the castle itself) figs. But, seeing as neither of these have Ron, I would also buy 4738, you get Hagrid in there as well. That would(more or less) take care of most of the key characters.

[K-Nut]

The new Hogwarts Castle with 4867 added on, and Diagon Alley too.

[DaddyDeuce]

Thanks all for the suggestions so far.

I should add that *I* haven't watched HP series myself so I personally don't know which characters are key.

I won't "reveal" the sets to them until they have seen the appropriate movies for context, so if I got The Burrow they won't see it until they understand it.

I'll mull over what you've shared so far, and try to map out which minifigs come which which sets.

Thanks!

[Artifex]

Don't forget to get them on the novels, too -- very good way to get the kids reading, I must add! :thumbup:

[fred67]

I wouldn't get any discontinued ones that people are asking an arm and a leg for, but frankly I'd suggest ALL of the latest release of sets.

They are all iconic.. Hogwarts - both the main castle and the extension, the train, Hagrid's hut, the Burrow, the Knight Bus, Quiddich...

Honestly, if they love the movies AND they love LEGO, they will really want them all. I know it's an expensive proposition. Short of getting them all (including Diagon Alley), I'd start with Hogwarts Castle AND Hogwarts (must have exploding bridge), then the train.

[CaptainBermuda]

Well I would say the hogwarts sets and the burrow. Those seem pretty essential...

[Oky]

I disagree about the Burrow. While it is certainly a nice set, it's not essential. It only appears in 4 or 5 of the movies/books and only for a short time. Also, the minifigs it includes are all just secondary characters, except for maybe Ginny and of course Harry, but he's in every set. I would get the Hogwarts Express set instead since it also includes Ginny along with Ron, Luna, and Malfoy, who are more important than Fenrir, Bellatrix, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Plus its a much more iconic and playable set.

I'll mull over what you've shared so far, and try to map out which minifigs come which which sets.

Basically just look for Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Voldemort, and maybe Draco Malfoy and Ginny. Those are the main ones, I think.

Don't forget to get them on the novels, too -- very good way to get the kids reading, I must add! :thumbup:

Very good point! I definitely agree!

[JackJonespaw]

Basically just look for Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Voldemort, and maybe Draco Malfoy and Ginny. Those are the main ones, I think.

Right. Then you can just get the Forbidden Forest and the 2010 Hogwarts Express and you're set.

[Oky]

Right. Then you can just get the Forbidden Forest and the 2010 Hogwarts Express and you're set.

Yes, minus Hermione. That's what I said.

[Ultron]

Well I remember when I was a kid my two favorite harry potter sets were definitely The Hogwarts Express, because it has a lot of playability, plus I liked trains, and the Hogwarts Castle itself because it too has a lot of playability and minifigs. I'd go with the newer versions though because they'd most likely be the cheapest and have the most accuracy and minifigs.

[Remus_Lupin]

The essential HP set has to be Hogwarts Castle - the most recent iteration should still be available (indeed this might be a good time to look, you might find it on clearance as the summer wave of LEGO arrives) and is a fantastic set. To augment the set you could pick up 4867 Hogwarts, which is a good accompaniment to it. After Hogwarts Castle I'd rank a Hogwarts Express as the next most essential, followed by Hagrid's Hut.

I'd also highly recommend picking up 10217 Diagon Alley - the biggest HP set, and an absolutely superb one at that. I think it's one that will hugely appreciate in value too - and if your kids want it you might come across silly prices for it in the after market.

[DaddyDeuce]

Thanks all so far.

I had no idea that the smaller Hogwarts set was an add-on to the larger Castle. I was completely overlooking it as a possible purchase as I assumed I would buy the castle as soon as I could find it on discount.

In looking over the sets and minifigs, I realize that *every* set has at least one exclusive minifigure. Clever of LEGO there. But if it boils down to just needing a few single minifigs there is always the secondary market.

Right now I'm thinking at least the train and the castle are "essential", and I'm trying to pick and choose my way through the others.

What about 4736 Freeing Dobby or 4865 Forbidden Forest? Neither set looks like it has a ton of play value, and I could always get a Narcissa and Dobby on the secondary market if needed (and assuming I get Voldemort and Hagrid somewhere else).

[Algernon]

Definitely the new Diagon Alley - it's the only Harry Potter set I own, and even as a diehard Harry Potter fan, it completely satisfies my collection. You get Harry, Ron, Hermione and Hagrid all in their most recent designs, and three exclusive figures (the Weasley twins and Olivander) as well as two Goblins and two death eaters. It's a fantastic display piece, and tons of detail that Harry Potter fans will appreciate (such as a printed brick of the Daily Prophet). I didn't feel the need to buy any of the other Harry Potter sets after picking this beast. It's still my favorite in my entire LEGO collection.

That said, it is more aduilt-oriented, since it's more of a display piece than anything else. Plus, it's expensive (though well worth it). Happy hunting!

[Clone OPatra]

The Hogwarts Castle is by far the most 'essential' set to someone getting into Harry Potter. It has all of the most important adults, as well as the primary villain, Harry, and Hermione. I personally do not care for vehicles, but the Hogwarts Express play a key recurring part int he books and films, and it comes with the rest of the most important characters not included in the Castle (besides for Hagrid, alas).

Besides for these, it is hard to say what else is essential. The Burrow is my personal favorite set from the entire LEGO Harry Potter theme, but it is not totally key for somebody getting into Harry Potter. The smaller $50 Hogwarts set might be the third-most essential set because it will help beef up the Castle even more, and it includes some other important characters (namely, Lucius and Neville).

Diagon Alley I do not find to be essential. It is beautifully designed and certainly plays a roll in the story, but it's an expensive set and doesn't come with any truly key components or figures that would not be attained in the larger Castle and Hogwarts Express.

[Mr_Malfoy]

I would have to say all of the sets from the 2010-2011 waves except for the Knight Bus.

[Brickmamba]

Definitely the new Diagon Alley - it's the only Harry Potter set I own, and even as a diehard Harry Potter fan, it completely satisfies my collection. You get Harry, Ron, Hermione and Hagrid all in their most recent designs, and three exclusive figures (the Weasley twins and Olivander) as well as two Goblins and two death eaters. It's a fantastic display piece, and tons of detail that Harry Potter fans will appreciate (such as a printed brick of the Daily Prophet). I didn't feel the need to buy any of the other Harry Potter sets after picking this beast. It's still my favorite in my entire LEGO collection.

That said, it is more aduilt-oriented, since it's more of a display piece than anything else. Plus, it's expensive (though well worth it). Happy hunting!

Same here, DA is a great set, this and Forbidden Forest are the only HP sets I have

[Gryphon Ink]

To balance out Oky's vote against the Burrow, I'll throw in a vote for it. I think it's one of the most beautiful sets in any theme in the last couple of years and a classic Harry Potter location, but it also serves the essential purpose of giving people a place to live that isn't Hogwarts, which adds considerable depth to the Harry Potter universe. Throw in an assortment of fan favorite characters that aren't available in any other set, not to mention a pig, and you've got what I'd call a classic Lego set.

Hogwarts Castle, the Burrow, and Hagrid's Hut would, in my opinion, be the essential sets out of what's currently not too hard to find at exorbitant prices. If you have the extra cash, Diagon Alley completes your HP world. I can't remember if you get a Voldemort from any of those sets, though.

[Vindicare]

Thanks all for the suggestions so far.

I should add that *I* haven't watched HP series myself so I personally don't know which characters are key.

I won't "reveal" the sets to them until they have seen the appropriate movies for context, so if I got The Burrow they won't see it until they understand it.

I'll mull over what you've shared so far, and try to map out which minifigs come which which sets.

Thanks!

For main characters, 4842 Hogwarts Castle and 4841 Hogwarts Express will get you the trio and a few other key characters/secondary characters.