The True North Bricks Harry Potter review marathon continues today with a look at Hogwarts Fluffy Encounter (76387). This constitutes the third set from the summer 2021 wave we have looked at. It follows the Harry Potter BrickHeadz and Hogwarts Polyjuice Potion Mistake. For a small set, Polyjuice Potion Mistake was a good one. Comparatviely, Fluffy Encounter features a little more of Hogwarts, but is it enough?
NOTE: The LEGO® Group provided this set for review. However, the provision of products does not guarantee a favorable review. I will use my usual rating system (click here for more information) and provide my honest opinion.
HOGWARTS FLUFFY ENCOUNTER SUMMARY
- NAME: Hogwarts Fluffy Encounter
- SET #: 76387
- THEME: Harry Potter
- COST: $49.99 CAD
- BRICK COUNT: 397
- MINIFIGURES: 4
- OF INTEREST: 1 buildable, 3-headed dog
- RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2021
HOGWARTS FLUFFY ENCOUNTER QUICK REVIEW
- VALUE: 80% (Good cost-per-brick, merely satisfactory build time.)
- BUILD: 60% (Boring design with very little detailing.)
- MINIFIGURES: 77% (Harry, Ron, and Hermione again?)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 60% (Kids might like it, but I did not.)
- OVERALL SCORE: 69%
HOGWARTS FLUFFY ENCOUNTER (76387)
VALUE: 80%
Fluffy Encounter costs $49.99 in Canada and comes with 397 pieces. The resulting cost-per-brick works out to $0.126. Currently, my average for the Harry Potter theme is $0.134 while for LEGO® sets in general it sits at $0.138. Consequently, you get a good number of bricks for the price with Fluffy Encounter. I rate the cost-per-brick at 84%.
This set occupied me for 54 minutes. At full price, that means a cost-per-minute of build time equal to $0.96. Comparatively, my average for the Harry Potter theme is $0.87 whereas for LEGO® sets in general it is $0.83. As such, the set does not offer a great amount of build time for the price. However, it is not terrible either. I rate the build time in this case at 75%. Averaging this with the cost-per-brick score gives an overall value rating of 80%.
BUILD: 60%
Compared to the detail in the Polyjuice Potion Mistake set, Fluffy Encounter falls short. The assembly includes a tower and a room. However, all of the interiors are sparse with the exception of the attic space in the tower. The main room has a trap door play feature. Additionally, there is a room with a magical harp, as well as another with the Devil’s Snare plant. As with the Polyjuice set, I fear this one is too boxy. That is the price to pay if you want all these small rooms modular and interchangeable. However, there just is not enough detail in this set. It is boring to build and boring to look at. The look also does not match the previous, larger Hogwarts sets. This one is reminiscent of the sets from a decade ago.
In addition to the building, you also assemble Fluffy. This is a three headed dog. Each head is a new molded piece. However, you build the body entirely from bricks. It is okay… but I have seen more impressive brick beasts. All things considered, Fluffy Encounter falls a little flat. Sadly, I do not like the design of this set. The modular nature is an interesting concept that may yet prove fun with other segments attached. However, that is all I can think of in the plus column here. I do not like the boxy look, or how it does not match with other recent Hogwarts sets. Additionally, the set has almost no detailing, and a mediocre brick-built beast. I rate the build score at 60%.
MINIFIGURES: 77%
Sadly, I am bored again. Polyjuice Potion Mistake came with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. So does this set. Additionally, the characters once again feature the stumpy, non-moving legs. At least the Polyjuice set mixed things up a little with alternate looks for the characters. However, I do not need two sets with almost identical character selection. The only difference here is that Fluffy Encounter includes a commemorative golden Hermione.
Each of these Minifigures includes a double-sided face, except for golden Hermione. They all have front and back torso printing though. However, accessories are a bit scant. The set includes a pot, a bone, a chicken leg, a gem, a transparent minifig head printed as a jar, and two wizard card tiles. I rate the character designs in this case at 77%.
ENTERTAINMENT: 60%
Fluffy Encounter is not a set I am planning to keep built. The brick selection is decent and will go to good use in MOCs. However, the set is just boring. I kept previous versions of Hogwarts on display for a time. Sadly, I will only keep this set built to see how it looks joined to the other new Hogwarts segments. I do not often have sets that I dislike this much. Kids might enjoy it more, especially in conjunction with other Hogwarts sets. Trap doors are always fun for play. However, Polyjuice Potion Mistake featured a better secret passage design, more detail, and the same characters for half the price. No LEGO® build is ever completely unentertaining. For that reason, I rate this build at 60%.
OVERALL SCORE: 69%
While Fluffy Encounter comes at a good value, that is where my praises end. The build feels uninspired. Additionally, the character selection is almost identical to Polyjuice Potion Mistake. Two lower cost sets should mix up the characters a little more. Compared to the Great Hall, Clock Tower, and Astronomy Tower, this section of Hogwarts just does not cut it in terms of detail. It also does not match those other sets in terms of roof coloring. Polyjuice Potion Mistake is a much nicer set for half the price. How do you feel about Hogwarts Fluffy Encounter (76387)? Feel free to comment below or reach out on social media.
Until next time,
-Tom
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