Ghasts are a long-standing hostile mob in Minecraft that you can encounter in the Nether. They stand out due to their unique shape and form and have likely already claimed the lives of many players. However, with the latest update 1.21.6 “Chase the Skies,” a new variant of the flying monster has been added. Unlike their counterparts, they are lovable and even very useful! Today, we take a closer look at the Ghast and explore how both sides of the species can be utilised in the game.
Understanding the Ghast: Origins and Characteristics
The Ghast has been in the game for a long time, having been introduced with Alpha 1.2 and the Halloween Update, along with the entire Nether. It is a flying mob and somewhat resembles an oversized, white jellyfish or a flying marshmallow with small tentacles. A monster that is definitely unique! They can spawn in only three of the five Nether biomes, but since they can fly, you’ll likely encounter them everywhere in the Nether. Its name probably comes from the English word “ghastly,” an old-fashioned term for “terrible” or “gruesome.”
The Ghast can also be quite nasty, as you never know where it might be hiding. Often, it sees you before you see it, and then it attacks you with its fireballs. These not only harm you but also set all the blocks around you on fire. Additionally, they can destroy your constructions if they are made of weak material. They can also extinguish a Nether portal, so you should always carry a flint and steel. Your best weapon against a Ghast is a bow and a good shot.
Surprises from the Nether: Ghast Loot and Easter Eggs
Ghasts drop gunpowder and ghast tears. The tears are necessary for some recipes, including brewing regeneration potions. A ghast tear is also needed to craft an end crystal and is also required for the new Happy Ghast – more on that in a moment!
A cool feature that gives you both a new achievement and an item is shooting a fireball back directly at the Ghast. This kills it instantly and awards you the “Return to Sender” achievement and, with the 1.21.6 update, a new music disc called “Tears”. You can also bring a regular Ghast to the Overworld, which is another achievement. The description even says that the Overworld is the true home of Ghasts … the new Happy Ghasts might explain this lore further.
A small but very amusing detail is the sounds of the Ghasts. The composer C418, who was responsible for much of the early music, explained in a Reddit interview that the sounds come from his sleeping cat. Definitely one of the strangest fun facts about Minecraft!
What Makes the Happy Ghast So Special?
With the 1.21.6 update, a new variant of the Ghast has been added, which is much less aggressive and potentially explains some aspects of the lore. This Happy Ghast is not directly at home in the Nether but feels much more comfortable in the Overworld! At the same time, it is a new mob that you can indirectly tame and use for your own purposes. Ghasts have long been one of the most popular monsters in the game, and now you can have your own Ghast as a “pet”!
Steps to Tame Your Own Happy Ghast
To obtain your own Happy Ghast, you must first find a dried-up Ghast. This is a small and shriveled version of the Ghast that couldn’t survive in the Nether. It was probably just too hot!
You can find such a dried-up Ghast in three ways:
In the Soul Sand Valley next to a Nether fossil
Through bartering with Piglins for gold (2.13% chance)
As a crafting recipe with eight ghast tears and one soul sand
You then need to refresh this dried-up Ghast with water. Place the Ghast in the Overworld and leave it in a water source for 20 minutes. Gradually, the little Ghast will be revitalised, and its face and colour will become much friendlier. Once it is refreshed, the dried-up Ghast transforms into a small Ghastling – probably the cutest mob in all of Minecraft! The baby Ghast also needs another 20 minutes to grow. You can speed up the process with snowballs.
Utilising the Happy Ghast: Construction Projects and Travel
The Happy Ghast is an extremely useful mob and gives you many opportunities to explore the elevations of your Minecraft world. Of course, you can primarily use it for flying. Craft a harness from leather, glass, and coloured wool for this purpose. There are all 16 different Minecraft colours available, allowing you to differentiate between multiple Ghasts. The harness acts like a massive saddle and gives the Happy Ghast a stylish pair of glasses! You can ride with up to three other players on the Ghast. Although it is not particularly fast, this travel method is unique.
If you dismount in mid-air, you can also use a Happy Ghast as a sort of platform. It will then remain stationary in the air and will only move again when you mount and steer it. This is especially practical for construction projects and a great addition to, for instance, bamboo scaffolding.
The last cool feature of the Happy Ghast is that you can transport various entities with it. It is particularly useful for long distances and much more convenient than travelling over land. You can transport chest boats or animals that fit into boats. But you can also tether large animals like camels, snufflers, or horses to the Ghast and transport them over long distances. To attach the leashed object to the Happy Ghast, sneak and click with the lead on the underside of the Ghast.
Conclusion: Continue Your Adventures in the Nether
If you’re venturing into the Nether, you’re unlikely to escape the Ghasts. We recommend facing these menacing spirits and trying to deflect their fireballs back at them. The new Happy Ghast, on the other hand, is much friendlier and can serve as both a means of transportation and a construction platform. Rent your own Minecraft server with us and sit with up to four players on the Happy Ghast to explore your world! It’s a lot of fun and a wonderful way to travel with multiple players simultaneously.
