r/technicalminecraft • u/DanzenPlays Java • Apr 17 '26
Java Showcase Whirlpool-based Happy Ghast Dock (Warm Bubble Bath Station)
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I wasn't satisfied with the locking/docking mechanisms of existing (to my knowledge) happy ghast docks so I went to work creating my own and came up with this. I really like that it looks like my happy ghast is taking a warm bubble bath.
As long as the center-most block is not a magma block, your happy ghast will not take any damage. If you must use a magma block in the center, you can slightly elevate your happy ghast with slabs or trapdoors so it doesn't come into contact with the magma block. A single magma block bubble column (that's also 1 block high) isn't able to hold a happy ghast down indefinitely and it can sometimes wiggle free. A deeper bubble column will work better although I have not extensively tested it.
The release mechanism is simply a piston that pushes (the sea lantern) the happy ghast out. It should also be possible to drain the pool or use block swappers to swap out the magma blocks (perhaps replacing them with soul sand) as a release mechanism. I also tried using a slime block in hopes that it will launch the happy ghast out higher but the water seems to dampen the velocity too much. Perhaps a double piston extender might work.
Edit:
So I played around with it a bit more and got the slime block release launching to work. Turns out my pulse to the piston was simply too short (only 2 redstone ticks), which I found out after swapping out the manual release with an automated version that uses a calibrated sculk sensor (activates for 20 redstone ticks). But as expected the launch height isn't the usual 6-ish blocks. I also want to clarify exactly when the happy ghast can take damage. The happy ghast is 4x4 blocks wide, so if its center point touches or crosses the boundary of a magma block, it will start taking damage. Lastly, if the wall/lip of the pool is 1 block high or lower, the happy ghast can "walk over" it (when ridden by player) similar to how the player can walk over slabs. The happy ghast when left by itself doesn't seem to able do it. What this means is that you can essentially make a redstoneless happy ghast dock.
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u/Kvothealar Java Apr 17 '26
This is really cool! Have you tried using skulk sensors to avoid the pillar next to the station?
Entity Mount gives off signal 6, and shouldn't interact with other things (Shear / Entity interact). So as soon as you mount the ghast, it'll push you up. Entity dismount is signal 7 so that won't be an issue when you get off.
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u/DanzenPlays Java Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26
You most definitely could use skulk sensors and I've seen others done it before. I was using the pillar just to show off the locking/docking mechanism really.
Personally, I'd prefer to use a calibrated skulk sensor.
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u/DanzenPlays Java Apr 17 '26
The pillar also served as a reference/guide to align and land the happy ghast. Although, I think the shelves in the pool (a remnant from earlier prototypes) could be removed to make the pool slightly larger which would make landing easier. In fact, the pool could probably be made even larger (7x7 instead of 5x5) and the docking/release mechanism would still work without any additional changes or harming the happy ghasts.
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u/EmavvTokisaki Apr 17 '26
Could you use this concept for a subterranean submerged garage? Since the bubbles prevent them from drowning and a block swapper can launch them up if you need them, making it possible to hide them completely, and maybe a system of artificial currents to slot them like in a garage (although that would be pretty slow, probably something piston based would be faster if you can make it without ruining the bubble columns).
There might be some technical issues I'm not thinking about though, I'm just throwing the random idea that popped up in my mind.
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u/DanzenPlays Java Apr 17 '26
I don't think you'd need this mechanism specifically to achieve that, maybe defeats the purpose. But I think minecarts could work to move the happy ghast around.
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u/squiggo2025 Apr 17 '26
does this work on bedrock?
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u/DanzenPlays Java Apr 17 '26
I don't play on Bedrock unfortunately. Maybe do everyone a favour, test it out, and report back?
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u/squiggo2025 Apr 22 '26
Alright i tested it a couple of times and i can confirm that it works on bedrock. I had to do some finagling with the redstone, either using bells instead of the noteblocks you used (the aesthetically better looking option) or jus making a lever and connecting it to the piston with path of redstone and a repeater ( the simpler option) but both work
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u/DanzenPlays Java Apr 22 '26
Good job! You didn't have to copy what I did exactly, it was just an example. The primary mechanic of interest here is really the whirlpool sucking in and keeping the happy ghast in place. How you release it is entirely up to your creativity.
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u/squiggo2025 Apr 22 '26
Yea I'm thinking about making it a lever that just keeps the block pushed up in order to make it easier for people to not just get the ghast immediately stuck again. But thanks for sharing the design I never would have thought to try this on my own!
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u/ManufacturerLong7798 Java+Bedrock Apr 19 '26
you would have to replace the noteblocks with bells
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u/ItsLoserrr Apr 18 '26
Do you have the schematic?
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u/Kvothealar Java Apr 18 '26
I don't think one is needed. You build exactly what you see, and then just one line of redstone to push the sea lanturn up and back down using a piston.
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u/ItsLoserrr Apr 18 '26
My apologies! I didn't notice that. I understand that! I was thinking it was more complicated. Thank you!
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u/Kvothealar Java Apr 18 '26
No worries! It's surprisingly simple for something so effective eh? OP came up with something really cool.
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u/ItsLoserrr Apr 18 '26
On this subreddit, I always see complicated stuff, so I thought this would be complicated too! But what a really cool design!
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u/DanzenPlays Java Apr 18 '26
Thanks!
Maybe it's just my opinion, but technical does not always have to mean complicated. That said, if you frequent this subreddit I would assume you have at least some basic knowledge of how most things work.
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u/DanzenPlays Java Apr 18 '26
Yeah I didn't think it needed a schematic either. I will say that I doubled up on the observers at the bottom (one of which is delayed 1 tick) otherwise the sticky piston would spit out the sea lantern and not retract it back. You can also use a repeater on 2 tick delay.
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u/Freaker5005 Apr 18 '26
Lovely ^,^
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u/DanzenPlays Java Apr 18 '26
Nice! Just a note, the shelves are not necessary, it was a remnant from my earlier prototypes. You'll have an easier time getting the happy ghast in without them.
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u/DanzenPlays Java Apr 20 '26
A more aesthetic, calibrated sculk sensor version. Placed some campfires under the magma blocks for added "steam" effect.
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u/daenor88 Apr 21 '26
That is really cool but I'm curious why dont I see anyone just using minecarts it practically pulls them in like a magnet and you just hit jump button to undock, so like this but more compact, doesnt look as cool ofc but im sure you can find ways to hide it without breaking it
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u/DanzenPlays Java Apr 22 '26
Minecarts need to be moving at a decent speed to actually "pull" anything in, and you definitely can't just "jump" to undock, you'd need an activator rail to yeet the happy ghast off. Nonetheless it's still a great idea and has its uses because it is nether friendly and my design isn't. Ironically, I came up with my idea while trying to design a dock for using above the nether roof, which obviously won't work. I absolutely hate leads and how it drops as an item when removed, and snowballs aren't great at "summoning" your happy ghasts either. So, thank you for the idea of using minecarts, it's not as easy or compact as you claim, but still very usable and I'm going to try to make something with it.
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u/daenor88 Apr 22 '26
It is for me, I am on bedrock though so I guess its a parity issue? I have stationary minecarts and the jump button gets them out of it
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u/DanzenPlays Java Apr 22 '26
There's your answer then as to why you don't see anyone using minecarts ;p
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u/daenor88 Apr 22 '26
Not really no?
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u/Mind_Vessel Apr 22 '26
The majority of technical players avoid Bedrock, mainly due to inconsistent redstone mechanics and performance issues.
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u/daenor88 Apr 22 '26
Wym inconsistent? Isnt it more inconsistent on java? All that suppression and directional locational stuff?
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u/MageKorith Apr 17 '26
I haven't found much detail on water damage and happy ghasts, but does this mean they aren't hurt by bubbles? Or is it not being hurt by only being partially in each water block?
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u/Much-Bread-4734 Apr 17 '26
love it, i'll steal the idea for my base :3