Defenders of Hogwarts Board Game Guide
Learn the rules in 5 minutes, set the table for 2–5 players, read what hands-on reviewers say, and know exactly where you can still buy it.
Learn it in 30 seconds
Six official step animations. Tap a card to jump to that step in the guide.
- Players
- 2–5
- Ages
- 13+
- Playtime
- 90+ minBGG users: 180 min →
- Mode
- 1 vs Many
Source: rulebook p.3-5; BGG #471198 (community playtime)
What is Defenders of Hogwarts?
A deck-building race for 2–5 players, designed by MinaLima. One Dark Arts player openly faces 1–4 House players. It is not hidden-role and not co-op: the houses race each other, and the first to complete 2 Defence Shields wins alone.
Everyone starts with the same simple deck, then drafts stronger cards as they explore Hogwarts. The Dark Arts player hunts House pawns across the board and pushes their own track toward the end of the path.
Source: rulebook p.11-13, p.17-19; rulebook p.3-5; BGG #471198 (community playtime)
How each side wins
The houses
First house to complete 2 Defence Shields wins alone. Each shield needs:
- 1 Library Book card
- 1 Parchment Scroll
- the Dark Detector or a D.A. Coin, whichever the shield space shows
The Dark Arts
Collect the white, orange and red progress tokens in order, then get enough pawns onto the location drawn: 3, 2 or 1 depending on how late it is drawn. Every House Replenish pushes the Dark Arts marker forward.
Check what you still need to win →
Source: rulebook p.11-13, p.17-19; rulebook p.22-23
Set up by player count
Pick your total player count for a printable checklist. Dark Arts pawns scale with the number of House players: 4 / 5 / 6 / 7.
- 2 players · 4 Dark Arts pawns
- 3 players · 5 Dark Arts pawns
- 4 players · 6 Dark Arts pawns
- 5 players · 7 Dark Arts pawns
Source: rulebook p.6-9
What reviewers say
One Board Family, hands-on (Sep 10): New Potter fans will love it; experienced gamers may find it light.
- Complexity 2.5/5
- Length 3/5
- Replay 2.5/5
- BGG 4.9/10 · 139 votes
The BGG score includes review-bombing noise; read with care. Full review roundup →
Sources: One Board Family review, 2026-09-10; BoardGameGeek #471198, checked 2026-10-11
Where to get it
- Late pledgeOpen until Oct 31, from $79. The Art Print is gone, and late orders are not guaranteed first-wave shipping. Late pledge status →
- Limited autumn release Online, selected retailers, House of MinaLima and the Harry Potter Shop.
- Spring 2027 retail Global, multi-language. Every option compared →
Shipping, VAT and duties are covered in our price guide.
Source: Hive late pledge page (checked 2026-10-11); deadline per campaign terms as quoted by competitor sites. Verify via checkout before launch.
Timeline
- Kickstarter ends at $1,718,956
- First-wave backer shipping + limited autumn release
- Second wave: Collector's Box ships
- Global multi-language retail
Source: Kickstarter campaign and updates · checked 2026-10-11
FAQ
Is Defenders of Hogwarts co-op or hidden-role?
Neither. One Dark Arts player openly plays against 1–4 House players, and the houses race each other: the first house to complete 2 Defence Shields wins alone. Source: rulebook p.9, p.23
How many players does it take, and how long is a game?
2–5 players aged 13+. The box says 90+ minutes; BGG users log around 180 minutes. Source: rulebook p.3; BGG #471198
What do I need to build a Defence Shield?
A Library Book card, a Parchment Scroll, and either the Dark Detector or a D.A. Coin, depending on which the shield space shows. Hand all three in when your pawn lands on a Defence Shield Space. Source: rulebook p.11-13, p.17-19
Can I still late pledge?
Yes, until October 31, 2026, from $79 per campaign terms. The Kickstarter-exclusive Art Print is gone, and late orders are not guaranteed to ship in the first wave. Source: Hive late pledge page, checked 2026-10-11; KS Update #18
When will it be in shops?
A limited autumn 2026 release comes first, then global multi-language retail in spring 2027. Source: KS Updates
Latest updates
- Late pledges still open; checkout closes Oct 31 per campaign termsHive late pledge page, checked 2026-10-11
- Backer surveys closed: late surveys not guaranteed first-wave shippingKS Update #18
- One Board Family publishes a hands-on reviewOne Board Family, 2026-09-10