What are the "essential" HP LEGO sets?

[RaincloudDustbin]

Diagon Alley is a starter pack of sorts, as it contains all 3 main protagonists plus two death eaters to add some action play ability. Also included is Hagrid- which is a pretty unique minifigure. The goblins and Olivander do not play a big part in the films but add a sense of business to a scene. the BIG con is of course the price but if you can afford it than you won't regret the result. The other options are in my opinion, are the Hogwarts Express as you get Malfoy and some key pieces like the invisibility cloak ( be it rubbish, but still ...) Also the train is a fun build and plays a large part in the movies. Also the Forbidden forest as you would claim the Voldemort figure plus another Harry ( I have an army of him :D ). I hope this proves useful in your quest to purchase the essential sets.

[Vindicare]

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.

I totally agree here. Diagon Alley is a great set, but nonessential to someone getting into HP.

I've done a figure list for the ones I think best(4841, 4842, 4867):

4841: Draco Malfoy, Luna Lovegood, Ron Weasely(casual), Ginny Weasely, Harry(casual),

4867: Lucius Malfoy, Dementor, Prof. Sprout, Prof. Lupin, Harry, Neville Longbottom, Greg Goyle

4842: Prof. McGonagall, Harry, Hermoine Granger, Prof. Dumbledore, Prof. Flitwick, Prof. Snape, Argus Filch/Mrs. Norris, Dementor x2, Voldemort

The only thing is you'll have to get Ron in uniform elsewhere. With these 3 sets, you get the main villain, main bully at school, 3 dementors, 4 Heads of House, Harrys betrowed, etc. Yes, I was bored.

[SoupOrFishOil]

I'd say that Hogwarts castle, its expansion pack, and the Hogwarts express would get you all the characters you'd need, except for Hagrid, so maybe add the Forbidden Forest to that.

While I agree with others that The Burrow and Diagaon Alley are great, they just aren't essential.

[Vindicare]

I'd say that Hogwarts castle, its expansion pack, and the Hogwarts express would get you all the characters you'd need, except for Hagrid, so maybe add the Forbidden Forest to that.

While I agree with others that The Burrow and Diagaon Alley are great, they just aren't essential.

Or go with 4738. That way you get your uniformed Ron as well. Plus, you get the hut, which is a pretty prominent structure in the HP universe.