These variants of Ron Weasley will be appearing in sets 4378 and 4841, Hagrids Hut and Hogwart's Express, respectively. Ron is sporting his school uniform at Hagrids and a more casual attire while waiting for the train. It is rumored that the more casual version of Ron will also be appearing in set 10217, Diagon Alley.
Minifigure Parts and Accessories
In both sets, Ron is composed of four parts: hair piece, head, torso, and legs.
We will first look at the Ron that comes with Hagrid's Hut. The hair piece (part 87991) is different and fairly new to the LEGO Universe, only appearing on a LEGO Club Max minifigure (gen029) and The Skater from the Collecible Minifigure series (col006). This will be a new color for this part, dark orange.
This head features a smirking print and freckles on one side (shown). The head is dual-sided with a 'panicked' expression on the other side.
The torso is dark gray with dark gray arms and light flesh hands. The print is the same as those sported by Harry and Hermione in the Hagrid's Hut set and differ from previous versions with a similar look. The tie pattern has changed in the direction of the stripes and taking on a more 'disheveled' appearance. The Gryffindor field of arms has been added to the lower left-hand side.
The legs and hips are basic black with no print.
This head features a smirking print and freckles on one side (shown). The head is dual-sided with a 'panicked' expression on the other side.
The torso is red with dark red arms and light flesh hands. The torso print simulates a plaid, v-neck sweater over a t-shirt.
The legs and hips are reddish brown with no print.
The accessory that comes with both figures is a brown 4L bar (part 30374) subbing for Ron's wand. In the Hogwart's Express set there appears to be a white rat (part 40234) acting as "Scabbers", Ron's pet. But we all know who he turned out to be...
Army Building Potential
I would mark both figures as having ABP's of "low". Some builders may seek out the new Gryffindor sweater for MOCs that might feature more than the main cast of characters. If so then set 4736, Dobby's Release, would appear to be the best price point to get it.
The new hair piece in the Hogwart's Express set might be desired due to its relative rarity, but again not in multiples.
Big Draw
Aside from an opportunity to get a minifigure Ron if you missed out on early sets, the torso prints and skater hair piece appear to be the potential draws here; the sweater print for reasons mentioned above and the jacket print for signature figures. Finally, the hair for its relative rarity and new color for the existing part.
(Pictures via FBTB Flickr stream and BrickLink)
