Fulfilment is underway. Wave 1 parcels are being packed and dispatched from October; Wave 2 follows in late November; the Collector's Box ships in March 2027. Answers below are based on MinaLima's Kickstarter updates of 15 October, 22 October and 23 October, and on the Hive pledge page. We are a fan site, not MinaLima: for questions about your own order, contact MinaLima.
When will it arrive?
When will my Defenders of Hogwarts arrive?
It depends on your shipping wave. Wave 1 is being dispatched from October 2026. Wave 2 is planned for late November 2026. Delivery time after dispatch depends on your country and courier, so use the tracking link in your shipping email for the exact date.
Which shipping wave am I in?
If you completed your Hive survey and paid shipping and taxes before the cutoff in mid-October, you are in Wave 1. If you completed it after the cutoff, you are in Wave 2 (late November). Orders after that go into a later wave: MinaLima's update of 15 October says January, while the Hive page lists March 2027. See the shipping waves table.
I am in Wave 1 but have no shipping email yet. Is something wrong?
Probably not. MinaLima wrote on 22 October that thousands of packages are being processed and each fulfilment centre is sending them out as fast as it can. The tracking email arrives when your parcel is dispatched. Check your spam folder and the email address you used on Kickstarter and Hive.
Why were the Kickstarter exclusives late?
A typhoon disrupted production and freight in the region where they were made, MinaLima said on 15 October. The exclusives arrived at the fulfilment centres by 22 October, and MinaLima still expected Wave 1 to begin in October.
I backed The Collector. Why did only part of my order arrive?
The Collector's Box ships separately, estimated for March 2027: metal player pawns, the Dumbledore's Army upgrade, the luxury token bag and the signed artist's portfolio. The game and the Guardian extras come first. Collector add-ons bought separately also follow in March.
Surveys, refunds and changes
I never finished my Hive survey. Can I still get my game?
Yes. MinaLima's 22 October update says unfinished surveys can still be completed: submit your details and pay shipping and taxes in Hive, and your pledge ships in Wave 2.
Can I still get a refund?
No. MinaLima locked the pledge manager on 15 October and said no further refunds can be issued after that.
Can I change my address or add-ons now?
The pledge manager is locked, so you can no longer change your order there yourself. If your address has changed, message MinaLima through the Kickstarter campaign page as soon as possible, before your parcel is dispatched. We have not seen an official promise that late changes are possible.
Can I still order the game?
The Hive page still shows pledge buttons, but any new order ships in a later wave, not Wave 1, and the Kickstarter art print is no longer included. Shops get the game in 2027. Details on where to buy.
Delivery, customs and gifts
Will I have to pay customs or VAT on delivery?
In most cases no. Shipping, VAT, GST, US state taxes and import duties were calculated from your address and paid in the Hive pledge manager. If a courier still asks for fees, compare them with your Hive receipt before paying and contact MinaLima if they do not match.
Will the parcel give away a gift?
Backers asked MinaLima exactly this. On 23 October MinaLima posted photos of the outer packaging used for UK, EU and US orders. Look at the photos in that Kickstarter update to judge for yourself before the parcel reaches the person you are surprising.
My box arrived damaged or something is missing. What now?
Go through our component checklist to see exactly what is missing. Take photos of the outer box, the damage and the shipping label, then contact MinaLima through the Kickstarter campaign page with your backer number. As of 24 October MinaLima has not published a separate replacement form; we will add it here if they do.
While you wait
What can I do before the box arrives?
Learn the rules so your first game starts quickly: read how to play or watch the official video, then keep the setup checklist open for your first game night.
When can I buy it in a shop?
MinaLima promised a limited release through House of MinaLima stores and Harry Potter Shops in autumn 2026, then the English edition in game shops in 2027. Neither had started when we checked on 24 October. The release tracker has every date.