Youmko's - MOC-164496 Lion Knights’ Harbor

 

Set Review: MOC-164496 Lion Knights’ Harbor (Youmko)

Designer: lux.bricks
Retailer: Youmko
Piece Count: ~3093
Theme: Castle / Medieval Harbor
Build Time: ~12 hours (experienced pace)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Price: ~$55 USD (varies)

  

Overview

Right off the boat and into the harbor—MOC-164496 Lion Knights’ Harbor is a modular-style medieval build that expands the Lion Knights universe with a much-needed coastal outpost. Designed by lux.bricks, this is a gorgeous companion piece that can stand alone or pair beautifully with LEGO’s 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle. It's a three-story fortified structure built on water, featuring a stone harbor, timber-framed walls, and orange gabled rooftops—classic Castle DNA.

This MOC brings more than just looks. It's cleverly layered with functional interiors, hinged wall sections, and modular roof assemblies that come off clean. If you like castle scenes with purpose (a dock, a warehouse, even a sleepy tavern loft), you're in the right port.

The Build

The set is broken into logical stages, progressing from a rock-solid dock foundation to its peaked rooftops. It’s more technique-heavy than it looks, with some surprisingly clever uses of SNOT (Studs Not On Top) and hinge construction—especially in the way the front-facing harbor wall opens out like a book to reveal the interior. There’s something satisfyingly mechanical about it, almost like unfolding a medieval pop-up scene.

The ground level starts with dark bluish grey stonework and plank tiling that feels weathered and real. From there, you ascend into a vertical structure that feels alive: part fortress, part merchant outpost. The internal rooms are modular in the classic sense. Roofs and floors lift off cleanly, and the rear wall swings wide to expose:

• A harbor office with scrolls, crates, and a map desk
• A second-floor sleeping loft with fireplace
• A well-stocked weapon rack and armory
• A cozy library/study tucked into the upper room

Everything’s built with care. No filler here.

Brick Quality & Fit

Youmko sources bricks from reliable suppliers (typically XINGBAO or GoBricks equivalents), and it shows—color consistency is excellent and structural integrity is high. That said, clutch power can be on the firm side. Some pieces took more pressure than expected to snap together, especially plates and tiles layered in succession.

No printed elements or minifigs are included. This is a brick-only build, with instructions provided printed manual. It’s fully compatible with your own Castle minifigs and accessories.

Instructions & Issues

While the build is rewarding, the instructions were the weakest link in the experience. In my case, an entire floor layout was missing—the steps skipped forward significantly, and I had to rely on guesswork and reference images from other sources to complete that section.

There were also a few misprints, which I expect Youmko will resolve over time, and the print quality of the instructions themselves could be improved—the image resolution sometimes made it hard to interpret part orientation or color shading.

It didn’t break the experience, but it did slow it down, and smoother instructions would’ve made the overall process far more enjoyable.

Playability

Despite the instruction hiccups, once assembled, this set is a joy to interact with. The hinged walls, modular floors, and small but meaningful interior touches give it serious play/display flexibility. You can stage trade deals, guard patrols, or even a nighttime raid.

There’s no boat or ship included, but the dock begs for expansion or the addition of a small sailboat. It’s a harbor, after all.

Display Presence

On display, this is a standout. The orange rooflines pop against the muted stone, and the vertical stacking gives it weight without overwhelming shelf space. It complements LEGO’s 10305 Castle like a sidecar—visually matched, but functionally different.

It fits nicely into a medieval layout, fantasy setting, or city outskirts with minimal fuss. Works both as a backdrop piece and a playable centerpiece.

Pros

✅ Beautifully compact medieval harbor build
✅ Great structural tricks and hinged walls
✅ Rich, playable interiors
✅ High-quality bricks and solid clutch
✅ Excellent value for the part count ✅Value for money

Cons

❌ No minifigs or printed parts
❌ Shipping can take time (expect 2–4 weeks total)
❌ Instructions had misprints and missing sections
❌ Manual resolution and formatting could be improved
❌ No boat included—DIY expansion required

Final Thoughts

Lion Knights’ Harbor is a charming, layered build that checks a lot of boxes: smart design, impressive display value, and incredible part-for-price ratio. It’s not perfect—the instructions need cleanup and clarity—but what’s here is worth the patience. Once built, it’s a sturdy and striking medieval harbor that expands any Castle world with functionality and flair.

Just know that the journey through the instructions may include some detours. 

Final Score: 8/10

A fantastic medieval MOC for the price. If Youmko tightens up the instructions, this could easily be a 9. As it stands? Still highly recommended for Castle fans wanting to dock something special.

I really enjoyed this build - I really hope I get to review more of their sets. 

Visit youmko online - https://www.youmko.com/?DIST=Q0ZPH18%3D 

Lions Knights here - https://www.youmko.com/products/studio-moc-164496-lion-knights-harbor?DIST=Q0ZPH18%3D 

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