The Ghastling is a new Nether mob. These are the Ghast Youth, found in the lava oceans within pods of 3-5. Ghastlings like to "play" with one another; from a distance you may spot them chasing one another or shooting "mini-fireballs" in an attempt to act like a grown up. Unlike Ghasts, they are yet to have become sad.
When a Ghastling Pod sees you, they immediately begin to attack. If you are wandering the coastline, the Ghastlings jump and glide out of the lava, launching a barrage of mini fireballs. These are different than the regular Ghast Fire Charge- they release no explosion or fire, but automatically deal two hearts of damage (without armor) at normal difficulty. Ghastlings are able to launch them much faster than a regular Ghast can launch her fireballs.
Even worse, if by some chance you fall into the lava ocean the Ghastlings begin to swarm you, coming up close in large numbers and pounding you with head rams that drag you down to the bottom. You might have Fire Protection Armor, but that doesn't make invulnerable in hell.
Very rarely, you might spot a transformation. A Ghastling under the lava ocean grows up, and begin to levitate up to the top of the Nether. It then spins a while before turning into a regular Ghast. This is a rare occurrence, but it adds a lot of interest to the sterile Nether.
Mob Drops
Killing a Ghastling shouldn't be too challenging though. They only have 8 hearts, so two hits for a regular diamond sword and one hit for an enchanted. As stated before, their strength lies in numbers. Upon death, Ghastlings typically drop nothing aside some XP. But 10% of the time, they will drop an Enchanted Ghast Tear.
The Enchanted Tear shares textures with the regular Ghast Tear, only it is enchanted like a Notch Apple. This is because in lore, Ghasts only start crying once they hit adulthood, and you have managed to slay the young ghast just as it matures. Hence the very first tear it ever sheds will be quite magical.
You may be thinking- wait a minute. If the Ghastling lives in the lava, how will you obtain the drop from it? Well Enchanted Ghast Tear has a special property. It is, unlike any other Minecraft Item, able to survive lava. Dive down and grab it! Throw it in and pick it back up! Just don't throw it into the void. That one won't come back.
This magical property can be expanded upon. Wearing the Enchanted Ghast Tear in any one of your inventory slots will "protect" your entire inventory from lava. If you die, the Enchanted Ghast Tear is consumed but all your items will not be destroyed via lava. It does count non-lava deaths so be warned. This is especially useful when in the Nether, but it can also come in handy for regular mining in the event of a lava chasm. Overall, the Enchanted Ghast Tear will prove a instrumental tool for any later-game player with the bravery to challenge a herd of Ghastligns!
Of course there's always the problem of getting your stuff...
Interesting ecological take on ghasts… (I'd veiwed them as the souls of all the squid mercilessly slaughtered to provide for the education of villager children ie for ink sacs)
Some mechanical questions re:
"Wearing the Enchanted Ghast Tear in any one of your inventory slots will "protect"
your entire inventory from lava. If you die, the Enchanted Ghast Tear is
consumed but all your items will not be destroyed via lava. It does
count non-lava deaths so be warned."
By my reading dying in (or near) lava – but not from lava – would mean any items that fell into lava (with the exception of the enchanted tear) would be destroyed.
If one exits the lava, but then dies due to still being on fire, would this vbe counted as a 'lava death'?
How (mechanically) are the items protected? [Giving each item >5 minutes of the equivalant of fire resistance would seem easiest, items would despawn before the resistance expired and any residual resistance ought not constitute much of an advantage.]
Ghastling XP would seem nigh on unobtainable as it would nearly certainly be destroyed as it was created by the nearby lava. [Perhaps ghastling XP orbs are also lava-proof?]
Minor point: The illo shows the tentacles at the rear (rather than underneath) the ghastling body and the required metamorphisis is not metioned in the backstory.
While the proposal is interesting and well presented, I don't see a need to make the nether more dangerous, nor does adding more 'ecology' seem desirable… [A lifeless wasteland inhabited only by various undead seems more in keeping with my perception of what a 'Hell' dimension ought to be.]
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"Why does everything have to be so stoopid?" Harvey Pekar (from American Splendor)
WARNING: I have an extemely "grindy" playstyle; YMMV — if this doesn't seem fun to you, mine what you can from it & bin the rest.
I actually like some of this idea.. just a couple of things I would change slightly
"found in the lava oceans at about the same rarity as squids in the regular ocean."
- I would like these to spawn in 'packs' of up to a maximum 3 or 4
- I would also like these to be able to also 'fly' out of the lava but only by a few blocks - maybe just leap out & hover for a few seconds before falling back into the lava
"if by some chance you fall into the lava ocean the Ghastlings begin to swarm you, coming up close in large numbers and pounding you with immature fire charges that drags you down to the bottom" - this is why I suggest group of 3-4... have too many in a group (I've seen groups of 8(ish) squids spawn in ocean) Having too many of these firing at you would give you no chance of survival.. a small group may give you a chance of getting out of the lava, while attacking them
- I would like it if they do swarm you BUT don't fire charges (they head butt you for maybe a 50% chance of giving 1/2 heart damage)
"Upon death, Ghastlings typically drop nothing aside some XP. But 10% of the time, they will drop an Enchanted Ghast Tear....You may be thinking- wait a minute. If the Ghastling lives in the lava, how will you obtain the drop from it?"
- I don't like the idea of an enchanted ghast tear, but the idea of it being fire resistance I do - so many ghasts I've killed & the ghast tear falls into lava & is lost
... here's a suggestion though - instead of it falling down in the lava, how about making it 'float' on top of the lava (like items do in water now) - [same goes for the XP].. Players could use either fire resistance & wade in to grab it or use fishing rods to hook these in
Interesting ecological take on ghasts… (I'd veiwed them as the souls of all the squid mercilessly slaughtered to provide for the education of villager children ie for ink sacs)
Some mechanical questions re:
By my reading dying in (or near) lava – but not from lava – would mean any items that fell into lava (with the exception of the enchanted tear) would be destroyed.
Any death will activate the spell. This eliminates the chance of you dying to a Pigmen and your items falling into some random fire. But it also means death by drowning will lead to the pointless use and loss of your Tear. For safekeeping I recommend you keep a Tear in a shulker box or your ender chest, and taking it out when in fiery situations.
How (mechanically) are the items protected? [Giving each item >5 minutes of the equivalant of fire resistance would seem easiest, items would despawn before the resistance expired and any residual resistance ought not constitute much of an advantage.]
It will count like regular items, only invulnerable to lava. This shouldn't be too difficult to program, only a simple boolean by the lava destruction of item method ensuring it isn't safe. You will still have 5 minutes to collect your items.
Ghastling XP would seem nigh on unobtainable as it would nearly certainly be destroyed as it was created by the nearby lava. [Perhaps ghastling XP orbs are also lava-proof?]
That is a good point, I was thinking of killing them near the surface (as they pop out) but under lava they'd be impossible. So yes. Maybe all XP should survive lava.
Minor point: The illo shows the tentacles at the rear (rather than underneath) the ghastling body and the required metamorphisis is not metioned in the backstory.
The Ghastlings use the tentacles like propellers to swim around. Like Tad-pools and Frogs, they gradually change from "gills" to "lungs". In reality it's likely a gradual shift that sees the tentacles slowly move to the bottom as the Ghastling grows in size, but adding more models sounds overly complex and "moddy". So it simply spins around like how a zombie likely adapts into a drowned over time.
While the proposal is interesting and well presented, I don't see a need to make the nether more dangerous, nor does adding more 'ecology' seem desirable… [A lifeless wasteland inhabited only by various undead seems more in keeping with my perception of what a 'Hell' dimension ought to be.]
The Nether is a very barren place. Perhaps that supports the "lifeless" vibe, but it doesn't come across as good gameplay. Zombie Pigmen barely interact with the player and Magma Cubes are rare. Ghasts are the only real threat or interaction you have besides the Forts. I do see your concern regarding the ecological aspect, however, I think Ghastlings would serve to both populate the lava ocean and add a tiny bit of backstory (while not giving away too much; for example the dead Squids could start out in the lava oceans and then further evolve into proper Ghasts).
I actually like some of this idea.. just a couple of things I would change slightly
"found in the lava oceans at about the same rarity as squids in the regular ocean."
- I would like these to spawn in 'packs' of up to a maximum 3 or 4
- I would also like these to be able to also 'fly' out of the lava but only by a few blocks - maybe just leap out & hover for a few seconds before falling back into the lava
Those are two very good ideas! Both fit the suggestion well. I will add them.
- I would like it if they do swarm you BUT don't fire charges (they head butt you for maybe a 50% chance of giving 1/2 heart damage)
Hmmm, well I suppose that might make more sense under lava. But when you are minding your own business on the Nether Coastline and they pop out for a surprise they have to be ranged. Perhaps they have two attacks- one for when you are above the lava, and another below?
... here's a suggestion though - instead of it falling down in the lava, how about making it 'float' on top of the lava (like items do in water now) - [same goes for the XP].. Players could use either fire resistance & wade in to grab it or use fishing rods to hook these i
Another good idea. Floating to the top would be more reasonable.
Responses in orange.
I like the idea and especially love having items invunerable to lava, but these baby ghasts are a little too different from their parents to be related to them. However, I like how they are orientated so they look like tadpoles to make them unique.
Contradictions
Would this magical item be useful in hardcore?
Why would a happy ghast drop a tear? (I would suggest a different item altogether as stated before)
I like the idea and especially love having items invunerable to lava, but these baby ghasts are a little too different from their parents to be related to them. However, I like how they are orientated so they look like tadpoles to make them unique.
Contradictions
Would this magical item be useful in hardcore?
Why would a happy ghast drop a tear? (I would suggest a different item altogether as stated before)
I’m afraid the orange replies didn’t work...
1. This item wouldn’t have much value in hardcore, however I would argue that mode is more a “special” difficulty like peaceful, unlike easy/normal/hard. Peaceful’s progression is completely messed up, but we don’t expect mojang to spend lots of time coding in alternatives because it’s not the “main” game. Same for hardcore, only some helpful features won’t work. You can still use the ghast tear for brewing.
2. The Tear is special because it is the first one the ghastling sheds. Within lore, you have managed to slay it just as it drops it’s very first tear, which mature it. Sorta like catching it in puberty.
1. I don't like having enchanted items because to imo enchantments should belong on weapons, armor, and tools as modifiers. This is why I'm against the enchanted golden apple.
2. What if the ghast tear worked similiarly to the totem of undying. (After thinking for a while, I no longer support my own suggestion)
1. I don't like having enchanted items because to imo enchantments should belong on weapons, armor, and tools as modifiers. This is why I'm against the enchanted golden apple.
2. What if the ghast tear worked similiarly to the totem of undying. (After thinking for a while, I no longer support my own suggestion)
When I was writing this suggestion, I originally had the Ghastling's drop be the Totem of Inferno. It would function the exact same except be a totem instead of enchanted ghast tear.
But I realized it wouldn't make much sense for a Villager-item to be found in the Nether. The alternative was for it to drop a useless Enchanted Ghast Tear that would be used to craft the Totem from Villages. I went with that for a while before realizing crafting the totem was just a pointless step, might as well jump to the chase and make the enchanted tear the powerful one.
Interesting ecological take on ghasts… (I'd veiwed them as the souls of all the squid mercilessly slaughtered to provide for the education of villager children ie for ink sacs)
Some mechanical questions re:
your entire inventory from lava. If you die, the Enchanted Ghast Tear is
consumed but all your items will not be destroyed via lava. It does
count non-lava deaths so be warned."
By my reading dying in (or near) lava – but not from lava – would mean any items that fell into lava (with the exception of the enchanted tear) would be destroyed.
If one exits the lava, but then dies due to still being on fire, would this vbe counted as a 'lava death'?
How (mechanically) are the items protected? [Giving each item >5 minutes of the equivalant of fire resistance would seem easiest, items would despawn before the resistance expired and any residual resistance ought not constitute much of an advantage.]
Ghastling XP would seem nigh on unobtainable as it would nearly certainly be destroyed as it was created by the nearby lava. [Perhaps ghastling XP orbs are also lava-proof?]
Minor point: The illo shows the tentacles at the rear (rather than underneath) the ghastling body and the required metamorphisis is not metioned in the backstory.
While the proposal is interesting and well presented, I don't see a need to make the nether more dangerous, nor does adding more 'ecology' seem desirable… [A lifeless wasteland inhabited only by various undead seems more in keeping with my perception of what a 'Hell' dimension ought to be.]
I actually like some of this idea.. just a couple of things I would change slightly
"found in the lava oceans at about the same rarity as squids in the regular ocean."
- I would like these to spawn in 'packs' of up to a maximum 3 or 4
- I would also like these to be able to also 'fly' out of the lava but only by a few blocks - maybe just leap out & hover for a few seconds before falling back into the lava
"if by some chance you fall into the lava ocean the Ghastlings begin to swarm you, coming up close in large numbers and pounding you with immature fire charges that drags you down to the bottom"
- this is why I suggest group of 3-4... have too many in a group (I've seen groups of 8(ish) squids spawn in ocean) Having too many of these firing at you would give you no chance of survival.. a small group may give you a chance of getting out of the lava, while attacking them
- I would like it if they do swarm you BUT don't fire charges (they head butt you for maybe a 50% chance of giving 1/2 heart damage)
"Upon death, Ghastlings typically drop nothing aside some XP. But 10% of the time, they will drop an Enchanted Ghast Tear....You may be thinking- wait a minute. If the Ghastling lives in the lava, how will you obtain the drop from it?"
- I don't like the idea of an enchanted ghast tear, but the idea of it being fire resistance I do - so many ghasts I've killed & the ghast tear falls into lava & is lost
... here's a suggestion though - instead of it falling down in the lava, how about making it 'float' on top of the lava (like items do in water now) - [same goes for the XP].. Players could use either fire resistance & wade in to grab it or use fishing rods to hook these in
Any death will activate the spell. This eliminates the chance of you dying to a Pigmen and your items falling into some random fire. But it also means death by drowning will lead to the pointless use and loss of your Tear. For safekeeping I recommend you keep a Tear in a shulker box or your ender chest, and taking it out when in fiery situations.
It will count like regular items, only invulnerable to lava. This shouldn't be too difficult to program, only a simple boolean by the lava destruction of item method ensuring it isn't safe. You will still have 5 minutes to collect your items.
That is a good point, I was thinking of killing them near the surface (as they pop out) but under lava they'd be impossible. So yes. Maybe all XP should survive lava.
The Ghastlings use the tentacles like propellers to swim around. Like Tad-pools and Frogs, they gradually change from "gills" to "lungs". In reality it's likely a gradual shift that sees the tentacles slowly move to the bottom as the Ghastling grows in size, but adding more models sounds overly complex and "moddy". So it simply spins around like how a zombie likely adapts into a drowned over time.
The Nether is a very barren place. Perhaps that supports the "lifeless" vibe, but it doesn't come across as good gameplay. Zombie Pigmen barely interact with the player and Magma Cubes are rare. Ghasts are the only real threat or interaction you have besides the Forts. I do see your concern regarding the ecological aspect, however, I think Ghastlings would serve to both populate the lava ocean and add a tiny bit of backstory (while not giving away too much; for example the dead Squids could start out in the lava oceans and then further evolve into proper Ghasts).
Those are two very good ideas! Both fit the suggestion well. I will add them.
Hmmm, well I suppose that might make more sense under lava. But when you are minding your own business on the Nether Coastline and they pop out for a surprise they have to be ranged. Perhaps they have two attacks- one for when you are above the lava, and another below?
Another good idea. Floating to the top would be more reasonable.
Full Support mostly because they're sooooooo cute
My suggestions: Enhancements - Throwable Fire Charges - On Phantoms and Elytra. Also check out The Minecraftian Language. This signature is not here to waste your space.
I like the idea and especially love having items invunerable to lava, but these baby ghasts are a little too different from their parents to be related to them. However, I like how they are orientated so they look like tadpoles to make them unique.
Contradictions
I’m afraid the orange replies didn’t work...
1. This item wouldn’t have much value in hardcore, however I would argue that mode is more a “special” difficulty like peaceful, unlike easy/normal/hard. Peaceful’s progression is completely messed up, but we don’t expect mojang to spend lots of time coding in alternatives because it’s not the “main” game. Same for hardcore, only some helpful features won’t work. You can still use the ghast tear for brewing.
2. The Tear is special because it is the first one the ghastling sheds. Within lore, you have managed to slay it just as it drops it’s very first tear, which mature it. Sorta like catching it in puberty.
My responses in orange were
1. I don't like having enchanted items because to imo enchantments should belong on weapons, armor, and tools as modifiers. This is why I'm against the enchanted golden apple.
2. What if the ghast tear worked similiarly to the totem of undying. (After thinking for a while, I no longer support my own suggestion)
When I was writing this suggestion, I originally had the Ghastling's drop be the Totem of Inferno. It would function the exact same except be a totem instead of enchanted ghast tear.
But I realized it wouldn't make much sense for a Villager-item to be found in the Nether. The alternative was for it to drop a useless Enchanted Ghast Tear that would be used to craft the Totem from Villages. I went with that for a while before realizing crafting the totem was just a pointless step, might as well jump to the chase and make the enchanted tear the powerful one.