How to Get Dried Ghast Block in Minecraft (July 2025 Guide)
Ready to soar through the Minecraft skies? I've spent hours exploring the Nether to master the art of finding dried ghast blocks, and I'm here to share everything you need to know about these grumpy-looking blocks that hold the key to one of Minecraft's most exciting features - the happy ghast mount!
Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or just starting your journey, getting dried ghast blocks in Minecraft 1.21.6 (Chase the Skies update) opens up incredible possibilities. Trust me, once you transform these sad little blocks into flying companions, you'll never look at transportation the same way again.
Table of Contents
Quick Overview: Dried Ghast Blocks
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Update | Chase the Skies (Summer Drop 2025) |
| Dimension | Found in the Nether |
| Uses | Creates ghastlings → happy ghasts |
| Methods | 3 ways to obtain |
| Rarity | 33.3% spawn chance near fossils |
| Bartering Chance | 2.13% from piglins |
How to Get Dried Ghast Block in Minecraft?
Finding dried ghast blocks might seem challenging at first, but I've discovered three reliable methods that'll have you collecting these precious blocks in no time. Each method has its own advantages, so let's dive into the details!
Method 1: Find Dried Ghast Blocks in Soul Sand Valley
The most adventurous way to obtain dried ghast blocks is by exploring the Soul Sand Valley biome in the Nether. Here's my step-by-step guide:
- Enter the Nether - Create a Nether portal using obsidian and flint & steel
- Locate Soul Sand Valley - Look for greyish-brown terrain made of soul sand and soul soil blocks
- Find Nether Fossils - Search for large white bone structures scattered throughout the valley
- Spot the Dried Ghasts - They appear as small, grey blocks with frowning faces poking out between bone blocks
- Collect Them - Simply break the blocks with your hand or any tool
Pro Tip: I always bring a shield when fossil hunting because skeletons love to spawn near these structures. The 33.3% spawn rate means you'll need to check multiple fossils, but the adventure is worth it!
Method 2: Craft Dried Ghast Blocks
Crafting is my favorite method when I have the resources. Here's what you'll need:
Materials Required:
- 8 Ghast Tears
- 1 Soul Sand Block
Crafting Recipe:
- Place a crafting table
- Put the soul sand block in the center slot
- Surround it with 8 ghast tears in all remaining slots
- Collect your dried ghast block!
Getting Ghast Tears: The tricky part is collecting ghast tears. You'll need to:
- Kill ghasts in the Nether (they drop 0-1 tears)
- Use a looting-enchanted sword to increase drop rates
- Be careful - ghast drops often fall into lava!
I recommend building platforms under ghasts before engaging them to catch their drops safely.
Method 3: Barter with Piglins
If you're feeling lucky, bartering with piglins offers a passive way to obtain dried ghast blocks:
- Gear Up - Wear at least one piece of gold armor (essential!)
- Find Piglins - They spawn throughout the Nether
- Throw Gold Ingots - Drop gold ingots near piglins
- Wait for Trade - They'll examine the gold and throw back a random item
- Hope for Luck - There's a 2.13% chance of getting a dried ghast block
Important: Never remove your gold armor around piglins, or they'll become hostile! I've learned this the hard way more times than I'd like to admit.
Understanding Dried Ghast Blocks
Dried ghast blocks are more than just sad-looking decorations. These unique blocks serve as the foundation for creating one of Minecraft's most exciting mobs - the happy ghast! Let me explain what makes them special:
Block Properties
- Hardness: 0 (instant break)
- Tool Required: None (hand works fine)
- Stackable: Yes (64)
- Renewable: Yes (through crafting/bartering)
- Blast Resistance: 0
Visual Stages
When waterlogged, dried ghast blocks go through four distinct visual stages:
- Stage 1: Default sad, frowning face
- Stage 2: Slightly less sad expression
- Stage 3: Almost happy appearance
- Stage 4: Ready to transform into ghastling!
Transforming Dried Ghast into Happy Ghast
Now for the exciting part - bringing your dried ghast to life! Here's my complete transformation guide:
Step 1: Waterlog the Block
- Return to the Overworld (or End dimension)
- Place the dried ghast block
- Pour water on it using a water bucket
- Ensure the block stays submerged
Tip: I like to create a small pool with fences to keep the water contained and my ghast safe during transformation.
Step 2: Wait for Hydration
- Duration: 20 minutes real-time
- Visual Changes: Watch the face gradually become happier
- Important: Don't break the block or remove water - it resets progress!
Step 3: Welcome Your Ghastling
After 20 minutes, your dried ghast transforms into an adorable ghastling! These baby ghasts:
- Follow players holding snowballs
- Make cute sounds
- Are completely passive
- Can't be ridden yet
Step 4: Grow into Happy Ghast
Feed your ghastling snowballs to speed growth:
- Natural Growth: Another 20 minutes
- With Snowballs: 10+ snowballs for instant growth
- Result: A full-sized happy ghast ready for adventures!
Using Happy Ghasts
Once you have a happy ghast, the real fun begins! Here's what you can do:
Crafting a Harness
To ride your happy ghast, craft a harness:
- 3 Leather
- 2 Glass blocks
- 1 Wool (any color)
The wool color determines your harness color - I love using purple for that royal look!
Flying Mechanics
- Passengers: Up to 4 players can ride
- Control: First player controls direction
- Special Feature: Can stand on top like a solid block
- Speed: Slower than elytra but more stable
Tips for Efficient Dried Ghast Farming
After countless hours in the Nether, here are my best tips for maximizing your dried ghast collection:
Soul Sand Valley Navigation
- Mark Your Path - Use unique blocks to avoid getting lost
- Build Safe Zones - Create small shelters near fossil sites
- Light Management - Place torches to reduce hostile spawns
- Bring Fire Resistance - Potions save lives in the Nether!
Ghast Hunting Strategies
- Build Platforms - Create catching platforms under ghasts
- Use Bow & Arrow - Safer than melee combat
- Enchant Everything - Looting III is essential
- Team Up - Friends make ghast hunting easier and safer
Piglin Trading Optimization
- Gold Farm First - Build an efficient gold farm
- Multiple Piglins - Trade with several simultaneously
- AFK Trading - Set up automatic systems
- Patience Pays - The 2.13% chance means lots of trades
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I've made plenty of mistakes while hunting for dried ghast blocks. Learn from my errors:
- Breaking Hydrating Blocks - Always breaks progress, even at stage 3
- Removing Water Too Early - Patience is key during transformation
- No Gold Armor - Instant piglin aggression without it
- Ignoring Skeletons - They spawn frequently near fossils
- Forgetting Fire Resistance - Lava is everywhere in the Nether
Advanced Strategies
For experienced players looking to maximize efficiency:
Multi-Block Hydration
Create a hydration station:
- Build a large water pool
- Place multiple dried ghast blocks
- Transform several simultaneously
- Efficient for mass production!
Nether Hub Integration
Connect Soul Sand Valleys:
- Build safe tunnels between valleys
- Mark fossil locations
- Create storage rooms for supplies
- Establish respawn points
Trading Post Setup
Optimize piglin bartering:
- Build enclosed trading area
- Use hoppers for item collection
- Sort drops automatically
- AFK safely while trading
Platform-Specific Information
Java Edition
- Available in snapshot 25w03a and later
- Full feature parity with Bedrock
- Supports all obtaining methods
Bedrock Edition
- Requires "Drop 2 2025" experimental toggle
- Available in preview 1.21.80.25+
- Same mechanics as Java
Related Features in Chase the Skies
The dried ghast block is just one part of the amazing Chase the Skies update:
New Items & Features
- Craftable Saddles - Finally! 3 leather + 1 iron ingot
- Improved Leads - Chain mobs together, simpler recipe
- Player Locator Bar - Find friends easily in multiplayer
- "Tears" Music Disc - Dropped by ghasts
- Vibrant Visuals - Stunning graphics upgrade (Bedrock)
Creative Uses for Dried Ghast Blocks
Beyond creating happy ghasts, these blocks offer creative possibilities:
Decorative Ideas
- Sad Face Walls - Create emotion-themed builds
- Transformation Displays - Show all hydration stages
- Statue Bases - Unique pedestals
- Story Elements - Tell tales through block placement
Multiplayer Fun
- Ghast Races - Organize flying competitions
- Sky Tours - Give aerial tours of your world
- Transport Services - Create ghast taxi systems
- Photography - Capture stunning aerial screenshots
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare are dried ghast blocks in Soul Sand Valley?
Dried ghast blocks have a 33.3% chance to spawn near Nether fossils in Soul Sand Valley biomes. You'll typically need to check 3-4 fossils to find one.
Can I speed up the hydration process?
No, the 20-minute hydration timer cannot be accelerated. However, you can hydrate multiple blocks simultaneously to save time.
Do dried ghast blocks spawn in all Nether biomes?
No, they only spawn in Soul Sand Valley biomes specifically near Nether fossil structures. They won't appear in other Nether biomes.
What happens if I break a partially hydrated dried ghast?
Breaking a dried ghast at any hydration stage resets it completely back to stage 1. Always wait for full transformation!
Can baby ghastlings be bred?
No, happy ghasts and ghastlings cannot be bred. Each one must be grown from a dried ghast block.
Is there a limit to how many players can ride one happy ghast?
Yes, a maximum of 4 players can ride a single happy ghast using a harness. The first player controls movement.
Do I need special tools to mine dried ghast blocks?
No special tools required! Dried ghast blocks break instantly with any tool or even your bare hands.
Can dried ghast blocks be used in redstone contraptions?
While they don't have special redstone properties, you can use them decoratively in builds or as indicators in sorting systems.
Conclusion
Getting dried ghast blocks in Minecraft opens up an entirely new dimension of gameplay - literally! Whether you're exploring Soul Sand Valleys, crafting with hard-earned ghast tears, or trying your luck with piglin bartering, each method offers its own adventure.
I've found that combining all three methods yields the best results. Start by exploring the Nether for naturally spawning blocks, craft them when you have excess ghast tears, and keep piglins trading while you're busy with other tasks.
Remember, patience is key when transforming these sad blocks into soaring companions. The 20-minute wait might seem long, but trust me - your first flight on a happy ghast makes it all worthwhile!
Now grab your gold armor, stock up on fire resistance potions, and head to the Nether. Those dried ghast blocks won't collect themselves, and the skies of Minecraft are waiting for you to conquer them!
Happy hunting, and may your ghasts always be happy! Share your dried ghast adventures in the comments below - I'd love to hear about your experiences with these fascinating blocks in the Chase the Skies update.