Review: 75966 Hogwarts Room of Requirement
Posted by CapnRex101,
The mysterious Room of Requirement is among Hogwarts School's most intriguing features and 75966 Hogwarts Room of Requirement appears equally interesting. The model is relatively small but captures excellent architectural details from Order of the Phoenix.
An impressive selection of exclusive minifigures is provided here as well, although I believe the unique Patronus elements might prove to be the highlight of this set. They complement Harry's stag Patronus which was introduced with 75945 Expecto Patronum during 2019 and their presence seems quite surprising in my view.
Minifigures
Many different Harry Potter minifigures have been produced and this version seems notably shabby, corresponding with his onscreen appearance while training Dumbledore's Army. The open jacket and dishevelled tie both look excellent and I like this double-sided head, showing cheerful and determined expressions. The hair piece appears accurate too.
Hermione Granger features the same Gryffindor tie and dark bluish grey jumper as Harry, although her uniform appears tidier. Despite resembling past minifigures, this component is unique and the reddish brown hair piece matches Hermione's hairstyle during scenes in the Room of Requirement. Unfortunately, her smiling face looks slightly awkward in my view, as though the mouth has been printed too low.
My favourite of these three minifigures is undoubtedly Luna Lovegood. This eccentric student from Ravenclaw rarely appears in LEGO sets and looks marvellous, featuring the same blonde hair piece as the earlier Collectable Minifigure. The sleeveless jumper is similarly attractive and Luna's Butterbeer cork necklace is printed on her torso, theoretically repelling Nargles! All three minifigures are equipped with their respective wands.
These accessories are needed for conjuring Patronuses and two such elements are therefore included. Trans-light blue plastic with glitter is employed to brilliant effect here, replicating their ethereal onscreen appearance. Hermione's otter and Luna's hare each feature lovely moulded detail and I hope these will become available in realistic colours, augmenting the menagerie of LEGO animals.
The final minifigure is particularly unusual, depicting the Death Eater Dummy which appears prominently during the film. This reddish brown figure exhibits notable accuracy to that source, featuring a carved Death Eater mask and authentic wooden detail on the torso. The gold target also looks superb and incorporates some realistic paint splatters.
Printing does not continue onto the lower half of the dummy, unfortunately. Nevertheless, I like how the wheels have been integrated and the black 2x2 hitch plate enables the figure to stand. The weakest aspect of this minifigure is probably its hood which seems too large in my opinion. The updated component introduced last year may have been more suitable here.
The Completed Model
Despite its cavernous appearance onscreen, the Room of Requirement is only represented by one wall in this set. However, this basic structure captures various essential features, including the beautiful fireplace and disorienting glass panels which appear during the movie. The model measures 19cm across and I think the decision to restrict its size was sensible since the Room of Requirement frequently changes shape and capacity.
Rows of dramatic structures hang from the ceiling inside the Room of Requirement, indicating that columns have been magically removed. These distinctive features are present here, albeit simplified when compared with the source material. Even so, I appreciate this inclusion and the trans-blue walls look reasonable, loosely replicating the original location.
The Room of Requirement generally remains concealed, only emerging when someone has particular need for it. The dark brown door is therefore situated behind a sliding wall that runs between 2x8 plates with sliding grooves. This function has been integrated nicely but covering the trans-blue 1x2x5 bricks would have improved the design further. Perhaps the Troll Tapestry mentioned outside the Room of Requirement during the book could have been included.
LEGO has released several sections of Hogwarts which can be connected using Technic pins and 75966 Hogwarts Room of Requirement accordingly includes Technic pin holes. However, these seem more useful for expanding the Room of Requirement than Hogwarts, particularly since the room constantly changes to reflect the needs of its occupants.
This fireplace appears appropriately ornate and resembles its onscreen counterpart, although the scale has been reduced. I like the trans-orange flames in the hearth and the sticker placed behind those flames looks excellent, featuring realistic shadows and brickwork. Furthermore, a pair of colourful Technic parts are hidden over the fireplace, activating another function.
The Ministry of Magic introduces numerous Educational Decrees during Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Four such decrees are displayed behind the fireplace, taking inspiration from the movie and displaying the same stylisation. I appreciate this accuracy and the decrees have been numbered correctly in relation to the film. However, these notices lack the peak that should appear above each proclamation which is disappointing.
Fred and George Weasley destroy the Educational Decree notices upon departing Hogwarts. Pressing the aforementioned Technic pieces, or the medium nougat flap that covers them, will therefore cause three notices to detach from the wall. The function is very simple and provides limited play value, although it does not detract from the appearance of this model.
A separate board displaying newspaper extracts and photographs is provided as well. Ideally, this would have been integrated with the model, perhaps occupying another wall opposite the fireplace. Nevertheless, this sticker includes some wonderful details from the movie, including Cedric Diggory's photograph above another which displays the original Order of the Phoenix. The characters shown include James and Lily Potter, Sirius Black, Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid and Frank and Alice Longbottom.
Overall
LEGO has produced some appealing smaller additions to the Harry Potter theme and 75966 Hogwarts Room of Requirement is an excellent example. This model is reasonably small but captures various significant details from the film and the functions have been integrated quite effectively. I am particularly pleased with the sliding wall to conceal the entrance.
The minifigure selection lacks any exclusive characters, beyond the Death Eater Dummy, so perhaps Padma or Parvati Patel may have been included. However, these three students are very important so I understand the decision to feature Harry, Hermione and Luna. Moreover, the new Patronus elements look fantastic and I think the price of £17.99 or $19.99 represents good value.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review represents an expression of my own opinions.
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23 comments on this article
It’s odd that this is designed to the modular Hogwarts standard, as its doesn’t seem to be designed to fit with previous or current Hogwarts sets. There’s no specified place for it in the instructions, and it looks awkward when connected.
Good value as with almost all the HP sets. Possibly a purchase
I'm personally very satisfied with this set. Nonetheless, I'll probably dismantle it and try to integrate it properly into to my Hogwarts layout.
Glad I’m not alone in being bothered by Hermione’s face. The reason it’s that way is because it’s designed to represent Kaya Scodelario from the POTC set and not Emma Watson. The biggest weakness of the new HP line is the reuses of minifigure heads for sure, really ruins a lot
Reminds me of the early sets from the HP theme, like 4705, 4712...
I'd definitely like to get this set, but I can't help but feel like the build itself is... lacking, for want of a better word. I suppose, honestly, there's not a lot that can be done with the Room of Requirement, since it's mostly just a big open room in the movie, but... I dunno.
As a background for the minifigures and patronuses, who are obviously meant to be the highlight of the set, it works well enough. But even so, it feels like it's missing *something*, not sure what. Maybe the build just feels a bit too simple? In light of that, I might wait for a small discount before looking to pick it up.
Highlights, for me, are definitely the new Luna minifigure and the patronuses ^^
So, when do we get the rest of the seventh floor of Hogwarts to attach this to? I can't put it up against my Great Hall set, that's completely the wrong part of the castle xD
All I want is a realistically-colored otter... ; )
Overall I really like the current design of the HP sets. However the design of this one does seem odd. If they were all designed to add up to Hogwarts in a Volton-style way, meaning a clear and planned out result, then all would be forgiven when it comes to individual sets and how they look.
Would be nice to see how it might be joined to the other recent Hogwarts sets. I'm sure that my son will find a way to do it.
Nice enough set for a reasonable price. Definitely on my list of sets I intend to add to my Hogwarts collection.
A hare and otter in real colours would be nice, but I'm still waiting for the stag patronus from 75945 to be produced in real deer colours - maybe this Christmas? I'm sure many of us would be snatching up 8 of them at least. Maybe some hares for next Easter?
@Sadorak4440 said:
"Very interesting.
We need the Patronus animals as real ones. "
I agree, more creatures LEGO, please.
Sirius and some short Order member are also in the picture. I think they didn't cover the blue panels on the outside so light would still come through them. I'm looking forwards to getting this!
@Mr__Thrawn said:
"It’s odd that this is designed to the modular Hogwarts standard, as its doesn’t seem to be designed to fit with previous or current Hogwarts sets. There’s no specified place for it in the instructions, and it looks awkward when connected."
I believe it's meant to allow moving the different sections around to create new room configurations.
I've just realised what I feel is missing here, and it's kind of obvious when i think about it:
A floor.
All we have here is a single section of wall. If they'd at least given it a filled-in rectangle of floor between the wall and the fireplace... preferably tiled, but with a few studs left exposed to position characters on, and with maybe another small feature or two to make it visually interesting. I feel like that would have made the difference between this feeling like 'a few minifigures and a backdrop' and an feeling like an actual scene that they're a part of.
Or, I dunno, maybe that's just me. But it would be nice to actually feel like the minifigures were able to meaningfully interact with the model, instead of it being simply a background to them.
Given the price of the Patronus elements, the overall price of the set is not bad. A floor would have been nice to help balance the wall on an uneven (or carpeted) floor. That and the regular door is a bit out of place here.
I really want he patronuses, but I'm not sure I can justify buying the whole set for them. Like, yesterday, I'd buy that set (and just resell Grawp and the figures) to keep the centaurs and the awesome tree, but I think that stretches the friendship a bit for this set?
I picked up the patronuses through B&P for maybe $2 total.
Fabulous review as always Cap. First day purchase for me. I'm modifying the rooms in the multiple sets I have of 4842 & 4867 to highlight significant small scenes from the films. I'm up to the Goblet of fire and Mad-eye's room. Can't wait to re-watch Order of the Phoenix for more inspiration. This little set will prove useful for multiple builds. It's a great lock down activity - thank you Lego for helping me maintain a healthy state of mind. Stay safe everyone.
After reading Rex's review, I'm more interested in getting this set. I originally only wanted the patronus animals but the sum of the set is quite good and a real good value when Target has a sale on Lego.
As others have mentioned, one big blind spot for LEGO is animals. Cats, dogs, otters, whatever. Give us animals and a segment of the population will toss aside all reason and purchase without pause.
otter!!!!!!!
otter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!