Modular Hogwarts: 76398 Hogwarts Hospital Wing

The set in a Nutshell:

Name: 76398 Hogwarts Hospital Wing

Pieces: 510

Minifigures: 4

Original Price: $49.99 USD

Recommended Age: 8+

I think this set really solidified my change in opinion on the modular Hogwarts sets. To briefly recap, when the news of the modular Hogwarts sets first emerged, I wasn’t too keen on them because I liked the Hogwarts sets up until then (2018 – 2020). To save some money I decided that I would forego most of the modular sets as they didn’t seem to have that “it factor” for me. I completely understand that I am not the target market for these sets and that playability probably ranks higher for the target audience than how good a set looks on a shelf.

In any case, I picked up the 76386 Hogwarts: Polyjuice Potion Mistake set because I found it on sale for $16 USD. The set is one of my absolute favorites! The set is small but there is so much packed into it, including the cat mask for Hermione and then turning Harry and Ron into Crabbe and Goyle! Even at the retail price of $19.99 USD I think the set is a lot of value for the price.

The Polyjuice Potion Mistake almost convinced me purchase the 76389 Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets set. However, as that is a bit pricey, I decided to hold off (though I am very excited to connect the Polyjuice Potion Mistake set to the Chamber of Secrets set to have the sink line up properly with the Chamber of Secret and have the minifigures slide down). I instead purchased 76387 Hogwarts: Fluffy Encounter when I found it on sale for $32.00 USD and rumors began that it may retire at the end of 2022.

The Fluffy set is unfortunately very underwhelming. “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” movie really didn’t give LEGO much to work with, as I don’t think the room with Fluffy has a lot of decorative items. However, overall, the set feels empty, and the Devil’s Snare could have been a bit more dangerous looking. Fluffy is large enough that compared to the minifigures in the set, he looks very intimidating in size! In any case, as I didn’t enjoy the set all that much, I wasn’t sure what to make of the modular Hogwarts sets. Then I decided to pick up 76398 Hogwarts Hospital Wing just to figure out my feelings towards the modular sets, as at this point, I really loved one set and was underwhelmed by another.

I put the Hospital Wing together on a Sunday night after a mellow weekend. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” was running in the background and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed assembling this set.

From the outside, the completed set reminds me of an old fashion train station. Some LEGO enthusiasts have mentioned in their YouTube reviews that the set isn’t quite tall enough for the Clock Tower and I must agree – that’s probably why I am getting more of a train station vibe from it.

There is a total of 18 windows, and I just love the look of them! I didn’t even mind all the work of getting the lattice windows put together (typically my fingertips start to hurt). Lattice windows are one of my favorite architectural details in the Harry Potter sets. 75954 Hogwarts Great Hall is another one that makes much use of the windows, and I think the windows add a touch of warmth to the sets.

Overall, it was a quick and easy build. The instructional manual has a progress line, which is a nice addition for the 2022 instruction booklets. Harry Potter is along for the journey and tracking your progress!

This set, much like 76387 Hogwarts: Fluffy Encounter, is using the industrial looking grate flooring pieces. I don’t fully understand why these have been chosen but considering this type of flooring has appeared now in multiple sets – it must be a design choice that will stay. I would probably have chosen solid floor pieces, but this grate flooring is growing on me. The hospital wing itself comes with three beds, two nightstands with lamps and a chair. This is where the details add so much to the set, one nightstand (assuming the one right by Ron’s bed) has Skele-Gro on it. The container looks fantastic! Then the other nightstand has some flowers on it, which adds some color to the set. The large beam across the hospital wing can be removed, so the hospital wing can be fanned out into three sections. I don’t think a fanned-out hospital wing can be incorporated into the larger 76389 Chamber of Secrets set, however, it makes it easier to access the beds when playing with the set. On top of the hospital wing sits the clock tower. The design of it looks cool – being able to see the wheels working. To move the hands on the clock, you simply move the tallest roof tower. That I thought was a very creative way of incorporating the mechanism into the design of the set.

As for the modular aspect, the clock tower section, and the two roof pieces on the hospital wing can be removed. Technically if you only have this set, you can only rearrange the top pieces (two roof pieces and the clock tower). However, when rearranging the top pieces, any arrangement still makes sense as you are just rearranging the roof (when adjusting the modular pieces of Hogwarts: Fluffy Encounter you may end up having a rock formation besides a balcony on a first floor). As for the Hogwarts Hospital Wing set, I have to say that this is a great standalone set – it has great design features that make the whole set (from front and back) look great and I would imagine that it can also be a lot of fun to play with.

The minifigures are also a big draw to the set. For one it finally has a Madam Pomfrey minifigure, which I believe is a first in the LEGO Harry Potter sets. Harry, Hermione, and Ron’s minifigures show dirt and tears in their outfits. As you may remember this set is based on the “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” scene right after their ordeal in the Shrieking Shack where Sirius Black reveals himself, Professor Lupin turns into a werewolf and Peter Pettigrew escapes. Ron’s minifigure has one leg that is white, which is to represent a cast, I believe as Sirius Black does break his leg – hence the Skele-Gro for healing purposes. Hermione’s hand is also in bandages, however, that can be removed. The other necessity in this one is the Time-Turner that Hermione has. I believe it was printed onto the Hermione minifigure in previous sets (ex. 75947 Hagrid’s Hut: Buckbeak’s Rescue), in this set it is an actual LEGO piece that a minifigure can hold!

The set also comes with a hospital cart filled with important healing potions, a trunk, hospital room divider curtain, a chair, a grey owl, and a lantern. To top it all of there is also a box of Bertie Bott’s Beans to be found in the hospital wing – what else do you need to feel better?

Almost forgot to mention, the set also comes with two tile wizard cards. I think they are a neat idea; however, I am not sure if I am really collecting them. If you are looking to collect them all it may be more economically sensible to check sites such as BrickLink to purchase the missing cards directly rather than hoping to get those you need by purchasing more sets.

Between the three modular sets that I currently own this is a solid second on my list. I think that 76386 Hogwarts: Polyjuice Potion Mistake is of exceptional value at the sales price of $16.00 USD and great value at retail price of $19.99. The one thing against it is that it is just a room, so it doesn’t add much in height or width to 76389 Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets. 76387 Hogwarts: Fluffy Encounter just underwhelmed me a bit, even at the sales price of $32.00 USD I am not sure it is worth it. Maybe when combined with the larger set it looks better, but on its own it just looks a wee bit empty. The Hospital Wing set hits that middle ground. It has the detail that I am looking for, a great Madam Pomfrey minifigure and adds height and width to the Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets set. The one thing that was somewhat of a miss is the Clock Tower, it just doesn’t look as majestic as the 75948 Hogwarts Clock Tower, which brings me back to the idea that these sets are probably more designed for LEGO customers that want to play with the sets and for that I think the set it great, even as a standalone.

VERDICT: I would buy it again, maybe I would try to wait to get it on sale. However, overall, it is a fun build and I have a lot of hope for the other modular sets anticipated in the 2022 wave.

The Minifigures