Independent guide · Est. 2026 · Not affiliated with MinaLima or Warner Bros.
Harry Potter Defenders RPG Game:
the Defenders of Hogwarts Guide
Searching for the “Harry Potter Defenders RPG game”? You found it: Defenders of Hogwarts, a physical board game by MinaLima — the design studio behind the graphic props of the Harry Potter films — developed with designer David Waterman. This guide walks you from your first setup to endgame decisions, with links back to the official rulebook at every step.
Source: official rulebook, printed pp. 2–5 · PDF
01 · Identify the game
It is a board game, not a video game
The word “RPG” in search results is misleading. Defenders of Hogwarts is a tabletop game played on a castle map: one player commands the Dark Arts, and one to four others each run a Hogwarts house. You move pawns, play cards, collect items, and race the Dark Arts Path — a pressure clock that unlocks stronger Dark Arts effects as the game goes on.
Two sides
One Dark Arts player versus one to four House players (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff). Houses win individually, not as a team.
One Main Action per turn
Houses choose Explore, Learn or Replenish. Dark Arts chooses Explore or Replenish. Free Actions can add to, but never replace, your Main Action.
A pressure clock
The Dark Arts Path advances when houses Replenish, when events say so, or when the Dark Arts player collects a full set of House Markers.
02 · Win conditions
Two sides, two ways to win
House player
Collect two Defence Shields yourself by trading one Library Book, one Parchment Scroll and the third pictured item (a D.A. Coin or the Dark Detector) at a shield space. Two shields spread across different houses do not count.
Dark Arts player
Collect all three Progress Tokens and bring the required Dark Arts pawns to the location named by the Location Card — simultaneously. Reaching the end of the path alone wins nothing.
Source: official rulebook, printed pp. 5, 18–23 · Full win-condition FAQ →
03 · Choose your next chapter
What brings you to the table?
♟ Learn the game
Set up the castle, understand your turn structure, movement, items and the Replenish trade-off. Everything a first game needs.
♜ Plan your next move
Shield routes, Loyalty timing, token planning and how to pressure the Dark Arts player without paying path costs.
◈ Before you buy
Editions, the £75 UK retail reference price, shipping windows, languages and the official places to order or get support.
04 · Quick answers
The questions every new player asks
Is “harry potter defenders rpg game” an online RPG?
No. It is Defenders of Hogwarts, a physical tabletop board game by MinaLima. There is no browser or downloadable version — and none is needed.
Is it fully cooperative?
No. Houses defend the castle, but each house must personally collect two Defence Shields to win. House victories do not combine.
When should I Replenish?
Replenish repairs your hand and stands stunned pawns, but a House Replenish also advances the Dark Arts Path. Drawing from a Library Book, Bonus Space or Event does not. Weigh the trade-off in our strategy notes.
How much is it and where can I buy it?
£75 recommended UK retail (incl. VAT) for the base game; the original Kickstarter campaign ended July 23, 2026. See the buying guide for editions, shipping windows and support links.
Sources
Keep the originals within reach
This is an independent fan guide, checked October 12, 2026 against the publisher’s rulebook. Facts link back to official sources: