If you’ve been itching for a reason to return to your Minecraft world or start a brand-new adventure, the wait is over. The Minecraft Chase the Skies update is launching on June 17, 2025, and it's arguably one of the biggest updates we’ve seen in years.
From flying through the skies on your very own Happy Ghast to basking in next-gen visuals with Vibrant Visuals, Mojang’s latest game drop is all about height, light, and epic vibes. Let’s break down everything you need to know to prep for takeoff.
# What Is Minecraft Chase the Skies?
Minecraft Chase the Skies (officially Update 1.21.6) is the second major game drop of 2025, and it’s packed with features that take Minecraft players—literally—above and beyond.
At its core, the update brings:
• A new flying mob (Happy Ghast)
• A graphics overhaul (Vibrant Visuals)
• New multiplayer mechanics (Player Locator Bar)
• New items, sounds, and crafting recipes
Whether you're a builder, explorer, or redstone wizard, there's something here that'll make you look up and say, “Whoa.”
# How to Get the Happy Ghast (Your New Flying Mount)
The crown jewel of the chase the skies update in Minecraft is the Happy Ghast—a ridable, floaty, and slightly derpy ghost mob that lets you and your friends soar through the sky.
Here’s how to make one:
# 1. Head to the Nether
You'll need to find or craft a Dried Ghast block. These are:
• Found near fossil structures in Soul Sand Valley
• Occasionally obtained via Piglin bartering
Or crafted with:
• 8x Ghast Tears
• 1x Soul Sand
# 2. Rehydrate Your Ghast
Place your Dried Ghast in water. After a little while, it’ll transform into a Ghastling.
# 3. Feed It Snowballs
Yep, just toss snowballs at it. Keep feeding until it fully grows into a Happy Ghast.
# 4. Craft a Harness
Use:
• 2x Glass
• 3x Leather
• 2x Wool
Now saddle up and take to the skies—with room for up to 4 players per ghast!
# Player Locator Bar: No More Getting Lost in Multiplayer
Ever lost your friends 2 minutes after starting a co-op session? Same.
That’s where the Player Locator Bar comes in. It appears just above your XP bar and shows:
• Colored dots for nearby players
• Directional arrows for vertical elevation (above/below)
• Live updates as players move
Whether you're spelunking or sky-sailing, this feature keeps your squad tight-knit.
# Vibrant Visuals: Minecraft’s Biggest Glow-Up Yet
Exclusive (for now) to Bedrock Edition, the Vibrant Visuals setting transforms Minecraft's aesthetic from "charming cube game" to cinematic masterpiece.
# What It Adds:
• Dynamic lighting and shadows
• Water reflections
• Volumetric fog
• Shimmering leaf textures
• Realistic block shading
Don’t worry, it’s optional—and Java players will get it later in the year.
# Supported Devices at Launch:
• Xbox Series X|S
• PS5 / PS4
• Android & iOS
• PC (DX12 only)
Split-screen isn’t supported with Vibrant Visuals yet, so solo or online play is the way to go.
# New Crafting Options
Minecraft’s crafting system also got a nice boost. Here’s what’s new:
# 1. Craftable Saddles
No more dungeon crawling for saddles. You can now craft them with:
• 3x Leather
• 1x Iron Ingot
# 2. Simplified Leads
Previously required slimeballs? Now it’s just 4x String.
# 3. New Leashing Mechanics
• Chain mobs into caravans
• Leash boats to mobs (yep, Happy Ghast + Boat = flying hot air balloon)
• Use Shears to selectively detach leads from bundles
# New Music, New Moods
Ambience just got an upgrade. The Chase the Skies update in Minecraft adds:
• A new music disc dropped by hostile Ghasts
• Five new ambient tracks by Amos Roddy
- “Lilypad”
- “Fireflies”
- “O’s Piano”
- “Broken Clocks”
- “Tears”
Perfect for chill vibes while building your floating sky base.
# Quality-of-Life Improvements (That You’ll Actually Use)
# Better Mob Management
Leads now work on way more mobs—including boats. You can even lash a caravan of animals together and leash them under your Happy Ghast for wild airborne travel.
# Lodestone Crafting
Crafting lodestones is cheaper and faster now. Huge for players who rely on compasses or custom navigation.
# Enderman Tweaks
Endermen are a little less janky and behave more predictably—especially in the rain.
# Preparing for the Update
Here’s how to get ready before launch day:
Checklist:
- Farm Ghast Tears in the Nether
- Harvest Soul Sand
- Build a Snowball Farm using Snow Golems
- Gather Leather & String for saddles and leads
- Clear space in your base for a Ghast Station
- Update Minecraft to the latest version on June 17
# Is Chase the Skies Worth the Hype?
100% yes.
The Minecraft Chase the Skies update doesn't just add new content—it changes how you interact with the world around (and above) you. Between the Happy Ghast, eye-popping visuals, and co-op-friendly improvements, this update elevates the game—literally and metaphorically.
Whether you’re starting fresh or expanding your megabase, this is the perfect time to grab a Minecraft server from Shockbyte, invite your crew, and chart your course through the clouds.
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