The Happy Ghast is a friendly, tameable version of the classic Ghast – a large, floating creature from the Nether that shoots fireballs at players and makes eerie sounds. The regular one is a hostile mob that appears mainly in the Nether, especially in open biomes like the Soul Sand Valley. It keeps its distance, hovering in the air while attacking from afar. Defeating it can be challenging, but it may drop the valuable Ghast Tear, essential for brewing potions and crafting a Dried Ghast.
The Happy Ghast changes this hostile pattern and introduces an entirely new mechanic – the ability to revive a dried version and transform it into a young form called a Ghastling. Once it matures, the Ghastling becomes an adorable means of transportation for a group of players. This loyal, flying companion lets you travel across the world without the need for an Elytra.
Where to find Dried Ghast in Minecraft
Before you begin your search, you first need to reach the fiery dimension known as the Nether. This means building an obsidian portal at least five blocks tall and four blocks wide. Once you have created the frame, light it using flint and steel, and you’re ready to go.
Your destination is the Soul Sand Valley, a biome distinguished by its blue fog, vast fields of soul sand and soul soil, and the presence of nether fossils. These fossils are made of bone blocks and generate in various shapes, resembling fragments of ancient creatures. It is near these nether fossils that you can find rare, dried remains that can be brought back to life. Once you spot them, simply break the block with a pickaxe and take it with you back to the Overworld.
How to craft a Dried Ghast in Minecraft
If you’re unlucky and can’t find anything near nether fossils, don’t worry – you can craft a dried ghast yourself by combining 8 Ghast Tears and 1 Soul Sand in a crafting table. Unfortunately, this will still require a similar journey into the Nether and the defeat of several aggressive mobs that drop tears upon death. This method takes quite a bit of effort, as hunting Ghasts can be time-consuming. Bring a bow or crossbow so you can fight them from a distance.
How to Transform a Dried Ghast into a Happy Ghast
Once you’ve obtained the dried form, it’s time to bring it back to life and turn it into a friendly flying companion through a simple two-step process.
Submerge the Dried Ghast in water
Place the block in the Overworld, preferably in a safe and sheltered spot, as the small Ghastling will try to run away from you. The type of ground doesn’t matter, but make sure there’s some free space around it. Pour a bucket of water over it – without constant contact with water, it will not undergo the transformation. You can also place it in an aquarium or even in the ocean.
Over time, the block will begin to absorb the water and move through several hydration stages. First, its surface will darken slightly, losing its dusty appearance. Next, it will start to move gently and even smile, signaling that the transformation is nearly complete.
The whole process takes about 20 real-world minutes, after which a small, energetic Ghastling will pop out of the water.
Feed the Ghastling snowballs
When the small Ghastling pops out of the water, it won’t be ready to cooperate just yet – it will float in the air while keeping its distance from you. To turn it into a loyal travel companion and help it grow to full size, you’ll need to give it some attention.
The first step is taming it. In practice, this means feeding it snowballs until it reaches its adult form. Once its appearance changes into a larger, smiling version, it will be ready for you to equip it with a special harness and make use of its flying abilities as a means of transportation.
When your Ghastling has fully grown, the next step is to equip it with a harness. This special item allows you to ride and control it. You can craft the harness by combining 3 pieces of leather, 2 glass blocks, and 1 block of colored wool (the wool’s color determines the color of the harness).
Once it’s crafted, hold it in your hand and right–click on your Happy Ghast.
