A life-size Minecraft Ghast has taken to the skies and it’s throwing fireballs. YouTuber Electo has captured the imagination of millions after unveiling a flying replica of the iconic in-game mob, complete with safe pyrotechnic fire effects. While fans have marveled at the stunt, safety experts and regulators have raised questions about the risks of drones and fire combined.
In the Minecraft universe, Ghasts are enormous, flying creatures from the fiery Nether world. Their otherworldly wails and blast-like assault of explosive fireballs make them one of the most feared game antagonists. Minecraft has gone on to sell over 300 million units worldwide to become one of the highest-selling games of all time and has inspired an unknown number of fan art pieces.
Electo, a popular technology and gaming YouTuber, set out to bring this digital menace into the real world.
“I wanted to create one of Minecraft’s most well-known mobs, but with interactive abilities that make it seem alive,”
He described. Out of this is a drone-powered replica called Gary the Ghast that is able to hover in midair and shoot little, contained fireballs.
The project took Electo approximately six months to complete, with multiple design iterations along the way.
“It wasn’t easy several prototypes crashed, and we had to rethink the materials for stability,”
He said. The Ghast’s main body is made from lightweight foam board, while cloth legs straighten mid-flight to stabilize the drone.
The fireball mechanism relies on theatrical flash paper and flash cotton, producing bursts of flame that disintegrate safely before reaching the ground.
“We wanted the fireballs to look like the in-game attacks but remain completely safe for demonstration,”
Electo emphasized. His brother Beppo, also a Minecraft YouTuber, participated in a staged mock battle, using props like shields and bows to “defend” against Gary’s attacks.
Electo’s video documents the painstaking development process, from failed prototypes to successful flights. The drone, hidden within Gary’s body, provides lift, while the cloth legs add aerodynamic stability. The fireball mechanism underwent several redesigns to ensure both effect and safety. The final video, running around 30 minutes, has since amassed millions of views on YouTube, showing viewers every stage of the build.
In the U.S., attaching pyrotechnic devices to drones is restricted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) without authorization. Outdoor tricks are synonymous with a risk of causing wildfires, even near dry grass or trees. Community reactions when posting on Reddit and TikTok included warning off copycats, emphasizing responsible experimentation.
A tweet from X.
Social media has erupted with a mix of awe, humor, and concern. YouTube commenters called Gary
“a real aerial assault drone,”
while others joked about Beppo’s mock defense. Platforms like X and TikTok amplified the video, sparking discussions about creativity, safety, and the limits of fan engineering.
Electo’s Ghast illustrates Minecraft’s wider impact on STEM and maker culture. The project is a hit with fans, more so following Mojang’s 2025 update, which added new variants of Ghast, such as rideable ones. Through combining game and engineering, Electo shows how virtual worlds may inspire innovation and creativity in the physical world.
