Mojang has exciting news for Minecraft enthusiasts: two new variants of ghasts are en route to the game. Until now, players have only encountered one type of ghast in the ominous Nether realm. However, during the recent Minecraft Live 2025 event, the developers unveiled two fresh additions to this iconic mob: the ghastling and the happy ghast. These new variants promise to introduce fun and diversity to ghast behavior and appearance.
Below, we delve into the specifics of these forthcoming ghast variants as Minecraft prepares for its next major update.
Introducing the New Ghast Variants in Minecraft
The Ghastling
The ghastling is the first of the new variants that players will encounter in the upcoming game update. This entity begins its life as a block located in the Soul Sand Valley of the Nether, especially near Nether fossils. The block, known as dried ghast, resembles a small, frowning ghast.
To transform this dried ghast into a ghastling, players must submerge it in water for several days. Unlike its more sorrowful counterpart, the ghastling is designed to look adorable, sporting a cheerful smile and expressive raised eyebrows. Its sounds will also be more endearing, contributing to a calmer atmosphere compared to the traditional Nether ghast.
The ghastlings will follow players around and can consume snowballs to aid in their growth into full-sized ghasts. This grown variant will be called the happy ghast.
The Happy Ghast
Moving on to the happy ghast, this variant signifies a stark contrast in personality and behavior from the traditional Nether ghast. True to its name, the happy ghast flaunts a peaceful smile and presents itself as a passive entity.
Upon growing ghastlings into happy ghasts, players will notice that these creatures spawn as tamed mobs. This makes them docile, allowing them to accompany players across the Minecraft world. Their primary role is to enhance exploration in the Overworld by providing flight to players.
To ride a happy ghast, Mojang will introduce a unique saddle known as the harness, which can be crafted using three pieces of leather, two glass blocks, and one wool block. The image above illustrates a happy ghast with a harness, capable of carrying up to four players at once, making exploration more interactive and enjoyable.
Stay tuned for further updates as these exciting new features are set to enrich your Minecraft experience!