Minecraft lets you mess around with mobs in all sorts of ways, from fighting creepers to taming wolves. One cool trick is riding almost any mob using commands—not just the usual horses or pigs! Want to roll around on a zombie or fly with a ghast? This guide breaks down how to do it using the /ride command (Minecraft 1.20 and up) or an older method for more control or earlier versions.

Using the /ride Command (Minecraft 1.20+)

How To Use Ride Command In Minecraft

The /ride command, added in Minecraft 1.20, makes it super simple to stick one entity on top of another. It works for most mobs, even ones that aren’t normally rideable.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Turn on Cheats:You need to be an operator or have cheats enabled. In single-player, flip on cheats when starting your world or use the "Open to LAN" trick. In multiplayer, you’ll need admin rights.
  2. Open the Chat:Hit T (or your platform’s chat key) to type commands.
  3. Run the /ride Command:The format is: 
    /ride <rider> mount <vehicle>
    • <rider>: The one riding, like @p for the closest player or @e[type=skeleton,limit=1] for a specific mob.
    • <vehicle>: The mob being ridden, like @e[type=sheep,limit=1].

    Example: To hop on a nearby sheep:

    /ride @p mount @e[type=sheep,limit=1,sort=nearest]
  4. Get Off:To stop riding: 
    /ride @p dismount

Example Scenarios

  • Ride a Zombie: For some undead fun: 
    /ride @p mount @e[type=zombie,limit=1,sort=nearest]

    Watch out—zombies still attack!

  • Ride a Blaze: For a fiery float: 
    /ride @p mount @e[type=blaze,limit=1,sort=nearest]
  • Mob on Mob: Stick a villager on a cow: 
    /ride @e[type=villager,limit=1] mount @e[type=cow,limit=1,sort=nearest]

Notes

  • Compatibility: Most mobs work, but big bosses like the ender dragon or wither might act weird.
  • Distance: Make sure the rider and mob are close, or use coordinates like @e[type=sheep,x=50,y=64,z=50,limit=1].
  • Game Mode: Creative mode is best for testing to avoid getting wrecked by fall damage or angry mobs.

Alternative Method: Using Passengers (Pre-1.20 or More Control)

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If you’re on an older version or want to get fancy, you can use the Passengers NBT tag to stack entities. It’s trickier but lets you do some wild stuff.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Summon a Mob with a Rider:Use /summon to spawn a mob with another on top.

    Example: Spawn a skeleton on a wolf:

    /summon wolf ~ ~ ~ {Passengers:[{id:skeleton}]}

    This puts a skeleton on a wolf at your spot (~ ~ ~).

  2. Player Riding a Mob:Getting a player to ride is tough and can glitch out in older versions. It’s better to use /ride in 1.20+. But if you’re stuck:
    • Summon a mob and tag it: 
      /summon pig ~ ~ ~ {Tags:["mount"]}
    • Then, it’s tricky to add a player as a passenger because it often breaks. Stick to /ride for players or upgrade your game.
  3. Example for Mob Stacking:Make a cow ride a llama: 
    /summon llama ~ ~ ~ {Passengers:[{id:cow}]}

Challenges

  • It’s Complicated: The Passengers method needs exact commands and can mess up easily.
  • Player Issues: Players as passengers can crash the game in older versions. Use /ride if possible.
  • Weird Mob Behavior: Some mobs, like endermen or ghasts, don’t play nice as mounts.

Tips for Success

  1. Smart Selectors:Use @e[type=<mob>,distance=..5,limit=1,sort=nearest] to grab a mob within 5 blocks.

    Example: Ride a close pig:

    /ride @p mount @e[type=pig,distance=..5,limit=1,sort=nearest]
  2. Stick to Creative:Creative mode keeps you safe from damage or mob attacks while testing.
  3. Try Fun Combos:Put a zombie on a llama or a skeleton on a polar bear. Most mobs work, but they move differently.

    Example: Skeleton on a polar bear:

    /ride @e[type=skeleton,limit=1] mount @e[type=polar_bear,limit=1,sort=nearest]
  4. Check Your Version:/ride is for 1.20+. Older versions need Passengers, but it’s glitchier. Check your version on the main menu or with /version.
  5. Watch Out for Hostile Mobs:Riding creepers or withers is doable but dangerous. Creepers explode, and withers wreck everything.

    Example: Riding a wither (good luck):

    /ride @p mount @e[type=wither,limit=1,sort=nearest]

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • “Target not found”: Check that the mob and rider are nearby. Try distance=..10 to search farther.
  • Mob Won’t Move Right: Most mobs aren’t steerable like horses unless they’re built for it (e.g., pigs with saddles).
  • Multiplayer Problems: Make sure you’re an operator. In single-player, enable cheats with "Open to LAN."
  • Crashes in Old Versions: Passengers can break the game, especially for players. Update to 1.20+ for /ride.

Conclusion

Riding any mob in Minecraft with commands is a fun way to spice up your game. The /ride command in 1.20+ makes it a breeze to hop on a sheep, blaze, or even a shulker. For older versions, Passengers works but takes more effort and can glitch. Try creative mode to play around safely, and double-check your commands to avoid errors. Whether you’re stacking a villager on a cow or cruising on a zombie, have fun experimenting!