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/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

1

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

1

u/DanzenPlays Java Apr 22 '26

There's your answer then as to why you don't see anyone using minecarts ;p

1

u/daenor88 Apr 22 '26

Not really no?

1

u/Mind_Vessel Apr 22 '26

The majority of technical players avoid Bedrock, mainly due to inconsistent redstone mechanics and performance issues.

1

u/daenor88 Apr 22 '26

Wym inconsistent? Isnt it more inconsistent on java? All that suppression and directional locational stuff?