LEGO SET 40611 - Alternate build | Year of the Dragon

May 5, 2025

Building your own LEGO MOCs from a single set is a fantastic way to stretch your creativity and get even more value from your bricks. With set 40611-1 Year of the Dragon, you have 213 pieces—rich in vibrant reds, golds, and dragon-themed elements—that lend themselves to an array of imaginative alternate builds. Below, we’ll explore some general strategies and inspirational ideas for transforming these parts into brand-new creations.

1. Embrace the Color Palette

The bold reds, bright yellows, and intricate printed pieces in Year of the Dragon invite you to think beyond dragons. Try:

Festive Lanterns: Stack round bricks and cheese slopes into a cluster of hanging lanterns, perfect for a mini-festival scene.
Mythical Beasts: Use the same curved slopes and claw elements to craft phoenixes, qilins, or stylized fish.

2. Repurpose Themed Elements

Those decorative dragon heads and horns aren’t limited to dragons alone:

Mechanical Contraptions: Incorporate horns and curved slopes as industrial piping or machine arms in a steampunk vignette.
Architectural Accents: Dragon head prints can become ornate roof ornaments on a miniature pagoda or temple.

3. Play with Scale and Function

Mix small and large motifs to create functional builds:

Micro Scenes: A tiny shrine or market stall using just a handful of bricks, highlighting that even a small selection of parts can tell a story.
Vehicle Conversions: Transform the dragon’s body pieces into whimsical scooters or hovercraft by adding wheels or transparent stands.

4. Combine with Everyday Techniques

Apply classic building techniques to give your MOCs stability and flair:

SNOT (Studs-Not-On-Top): Build sideways walls or curved shapes for sleek, organic silhouettes.
Cantilevered Cantilevers: Create overhangs and dynamic angles to simulate wings, awnings, or architectural roofs.

By thinking thematically—focusing on color, texture, and form rather than the original dragon design—you can unlock countless new models, from festive decorations to futuristic vehicles. Ready to see what the community has already imagined? Here are some standout alternate builds, each made solely from the parts in set 40611-1: