LEGO Minecraft 21274 The Warden Encounter review

LEGO Minecraft 21274 The Warden Encounter demonstrates deep knowledge of the source material for veteran gamers within a reasonably-priced package.

21274 The Warden Encounter has the most evidence of any set so far that the LEGO Minecraft designers play the game, showcasing thoughtful knowledge of techniques to battle Minecraft’s Warden, while providing much easier access to the unique creature than ever before. It’s a recipe for success, targeting hardcore Minecraft fans more than any other set in the theme.

21274 The Warden Encounter

Release: Jun 1, 2025

Retiring: Dec 31, 2026

Price: £17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99

Pieces: 238

Minifigures: 1

21274 The Warden Encounter may look simple, but there’s some serious depth to this low-price summer 2025 Minecraft set. The model consists of a cave segment with a hint of the Deep Dark biome, one exclusive player minifigure, one chicken, the rare Warden figure and some accessories. Featuring all of this with 238 pieces in a set costing only £17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 is a fantastic start, but experienced Minecraft fans can find even more to love in this set.

You can tell that the LEGO Minecraft designers play the game on which they’re basing the sets. 21274 The Warden Encounter not only boasts the boss-level creature in a more affordable package, but also showcases some of the more advanced techniques to survive an encounter with a Warden, instead of just wearing the most powerful armour and wielding an enchanted sword.

The cave portion of the model is nothing to write home about, but manages to mix in some colourful aspects such as foliage from Lush Caves as well as obsidian touching that enticing transparent orange plate of lava. It serves only as the battleground for a fearsome confrontation with the Warden though, and a showcase of some expert-level techniques to use when battling the foe.

From the wool scattered around the set to mask footsteps to the enchanted crossbow, hopefully enchanted with Multishot and Quick Charge, 21274 The Warden Encounter is packed with genuine techniques players frequently use to battle the Warden, even extending to the name of the set.

Aside from the challenge experience, there’s no real benefit to fighting a Warden, but dig deep enough, and you’ll surely encounter one. You need to be prepared when you do. That’s why 21274 The Warden Encounter is named as such, rather than something similar to 21246 The Deep Dark Battle. Players know that they’re going to summon these creatures unintentionally, and most players don’t battle the Warden; they try to survive it.

The presence of a chicken in an underground model might seem odd, but this is another technique used to distract Wardens. Chickens make sounds frequently, attracting the Warden (who is otherwise blind and finds foes via sound) and leading them away from a player who can flee or find a more advantageous position.

The set even references the latter, as the raised section of the cave can be knocked down, simulating the Warden’s ranged attack to knock down and damage players trying to stay out of melee range.

21274 The Warden Encounter’s price-per-piece ratio (£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 for 238 elements) is an incredibly strong start for this LEGO Minecraft set, already appealing to LEGO Minecraft fans and those only interested in the set’s parts alike. As mentioned, though, there are many techniques for seasoned LEGO Minecraft players to recognise in this set, further increasing its appeal to fans of the theme.

Unless you’ve already picked up 21246 The Deep Dark Battle before it retired, there are few reasons to miss out on 21274 The Warden Encounter. These reasons mostly relate to a complete disinterest in Minecraft (in which case, why are you reading this?) or stock shortages.

LEGO Minecraft Warden sets comparison

Comparing LEGO Minecraft’s only two sets with the Warden puts 21274 The Warden Encounter in an advantageous position over 2023’s 21246 The Deep Dark Battle. The 238-piece set is much smaller than the retired 584-piece model and only provides a small segment of the Deep Dark, but it includes the absolute essentials – Sculk blocks and the Warden – for a much cheaper price.

Anyone who picked up the previous set may feel a little bit of regret in hindsight, especially given this newer set has launched only six months after the last one retired. But that unfortunate timing for veteran Minecraft fans doesn’t take anything away from 21274 The Warden Encounter, which also reflects the Minecraft community’s reactions to the Warden two years later, rather than when they first encountered them, like in 21246 The Deep Dark Battle.

Instead of just charging into their lair with great gear, the community has learnt that they’ll encounter them easily underground anyway. They have adapted to avoid them or fight them tactically, masking their sounds and creating distractions. 21274 The Warden Encounter demonstrates how players have grown, in a sense.

Our honest opinion: 21274 The Warden Encounter is one of the most well-considered LEGO Minecraft sets to date, providing plenty of value in an affordable package that seasoned Minecraft players in particular will appreciate.

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

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