As Minecraft enthusiasts eagerly anticipate each of the game's twice-annual updates, the upcoming second drop of 2025 promises to be particularly remarkable. This update is set to introduce the happy ghast, a delightful twist on the notorious ghasts known for their fiery aggression. Unlike their hostile counterparts that bombard players with fireballs across the Nether, the happy ghast is a friendly entity that seeks companionship rather than conflict.
The happy ghast comes in various forms, and players will have the opportunity to influence its evolution throughout their gaming experience. One of the standout features of the happy ghast is its ability to grant players the opportunity to fly around the overworld. While seasoned players who have explored The End may find this less advantageous due to their access to elytra wings, new players will appreciate the fact that they can begin their journey to acquiring a happy ghast in the Nether—well before they reach The End. This grants them a taste of flight much earlier in their adventure.
Another exciting aspect of the happy ghast is its capacity to carry up to four players at once, making group explorations more enjoyable and accessible. However, acquiring a proper pilotable happy ghast is not without its challenges. Players must engage in a series of steps to bring their own ghost plane to life.
The journey begins in the Nether, where players must locate the dried ghast block. This unique block resembles a tiny, shriveled ghast and serves as the dehydrated form of the ghast. Once mined, players can transport this block back to the overworld, where the hydration process initiates.
To begin the transformation, players must fully submerge the dried ghast block in water. Whether you choose to place it in an existing body of water or create a dedicated happy ghast hydration pool is entirely up to you. Patience is key, as it takes approximately 20 real-world minutes for the dehydrated ghast to evolve into a happy ghastling. During testing at Mojang's studio in Sweden, we observed that the timing may vary. Players should also note that if multiple dried ghast blocks are placed at once, the order of their evolution is unpredictable.
As the hydration process unfolds, players will witness a transformation; the ghast's unhappy face will gradually shift into a smile, culminating in the birth of the happy ghastling. This adorable miniature version of the happy ghast cannot fly but represents the first step towards obtaining the full-sized version. To expedite growth, players can feed the ghastling snowballs, enhancing its evolution speed.
Once the happy ghastling matures into a full happy ghast, there is one final step before taking to the skies: crafting a harness. This essential item requires players to gather glass, leather, and wool blocks. A variety of saddle variants are available based on the color of wool used in crafting, and the happy ghast's harness is notably more visually appealing than any previous saddles in the game.
To embark on your aerial adventure, simply attach yourself to the happy ghast as you would with a horse, and you're ready to soar. With up to four players able to ride simultaneously, the user at the front controls the direction. While the speed may not match that of elytra, the experience is scenic and conserves rocket resources.
The primary utility of the happy ghast lies in its ability to facilitate construction in the sky. Once players ascend to their desired height, they can disengage from the harness and stand directly on top of the ghast, effectively using it as a platform for building. This makes the happy ghast an invaluable tool for creating elevated structures.
Additionally, players can incorporate happy ghasts into parkour courses. Not only can these creatures be leashed to prevent wandering, but they can also be mounted on minecarts, transforming them into moving platforms that serve as stepping stones for creative gameplay. The possibilities are vast, and as players continue to explore this new feature, countless innovative uses for the happy ghast will undoubtedly emerge.
While there is currently no official release date for the second game drop of 2025, the anticipation continues to build. Alongside the introduction of the happy ghast, this update will also feature the player locator bar, enabling players to easily track their friends within the realm. As excitement grows, gamers everywhere are eager to explore the enchanting world that awaits.
