Taking to the Skies with Dragon Mounts in Minecraft
Few moments in Minecraft feel as triumphant as defeating the Ender Dragon and claiming its egg. But for years, that egg sat as a mere trophy, devoid of real purpose. The Dragon Mounts mod changes everything, transforming that dormant block into a living, breathing companion you can raise, tame, and eventually ride through the skies. Whether you're soaring over vast biomes or charging into battle with a loyal drake at your side, this mod adds a layer of fantasy and adventure that fits perfectly into the vanilla world.
What Is Dragon Mounts?
Dragon Mounts is a classic mod that lets you hatch dragon eggs into eight distinct dragon breeds. Once nurtured from hatchling to adult, these dragons become your faithful allies—following you, protecting you from mobs, and serving as an epic flying mount. The mod originally captured the community's imagination by breathing life into the long-neglected dragon egg, and it has since evolved through multiple Minecraft versions. A sequel, Dragon Mounts 2, carries the torch forward, but the original remains a beloved staple for many players.
The core loop is simple: obtain a dragon egg, hatch it in the right environment, tame the young dragon with raw fish, and then saddle up for flight. Along the way, you'll manage your dragon's health, command its posture, and even tweak world settings to make eggs appear in dungeon chests. It's a full-fledged pet system wrapped in draconic majesty.
Getting Started: Hatching Your First Dragon
To begin, you need a dragon egg. The most straightforward method is defeating the Ender Dragon in the End, which drops the egg upon death. If you prefer a more exploration-focused approach, you can enable egg spawning in dungeon chests via the mod's configuration file (change B:eggsInChests=false to true in DragonMounts.cfg). Once you have the egg, find a suitable spot—ideally a secure, open area—place the egg block, and right-click it. The hatching process takes time, so be patient. A baby dragon will emerge, marking the start of your journey together.
Raising and Taming
A newly hatched dragon is small and vulnerable. To tame it, feed it raw fish. Once tamed, it will follow you like a loyal wolf and defend you against threats. You can command your dragon to lay down or stand up using a bone item—handy when you need it to stay put. As the dragon grows through its juvenile stage, it becomes larger and more capable. When it reaches adulthood, you can finally take to the air.
To ride your dragon, equip it with a saddle and then right-click the creature without holding any action item (like food or a bone). While mounted, control the dragon's movement with a Carrot on a Stick. Healing your dragon is straightforward: feed it raw fish, chicken, beef, or porkchop to restore four hearts, or rotten flesh for two hearts. Keeping a stack of fish handy is a smart move during long expeditions.
The Eight Dragon Breeds
One of the mod's biggest draws is its variety. You won't be stuck with a single purple dragon; instead, you can hatch eight unique types, each with its own aesthetic and, in some versions, subtle behavioral traits. The roster includes:
- Forest Dragon – earthy greens and natural camouflage
- Ice Dragon – frosty blues with a chilling presence
- Nether Dragon – fiery reds and blacks, evoking the Nether's heat
- Ghost Dragon – ethereal, semi-transparent form
- Aether Dragon – sky-themed, often with light, airy colors
- Fire Dragon – classic blazing orange and crimson
- Water Dragon – aquatic hues, perfect for coastal bases
- End Dragon – a nod to the original Ender Dragon, with dark, starry textures
The exact appearance can vary based on the mod version and texture pack, but each breed brings a distinct flavor to your stables. Collecting them all becomes a quest in itself, especially if you tweak the config to find eggs in chests.
Cheats and Advanced Commands
For players who want to skip the waiting game or experiment with dragon states, the mod includes two cheats (usable only when cheats are enabled in your world). The command /dragon state <State> lets you change the dragon you're looking at to any life stage: egg, hatchling, juvenile, or adult. This is perfect for testing or quickly maturing a dragon for a creative build. The /dragon tame command instantly claims the dragon you're targeting, removing the need for raw fish. These commands are handy tools for server admins or map makers who want to incorporate dragons into custom experiences.
Installing and Configuring Dragon Mounts
Like most mods, Dragon Mounts requires a compatible version of Minecraft Forge. You'll want to pair it with a recipe viewer such as Just Enough Items (for versions 1.8 to 1.12) or Not Enough Items (pre-1.8 and 1.8+) to easily browse crafting recipes and dragon-related items. If you're juggling multiple mods and want a seamless installation process, the foxygame.net launcher provides a convenient, modern platform where you can download Dragon Mounts directly from its menu—no manual file wrangling needed. It's a flexible solution that keeps your mods organized and up-to-date with minimal fuss.
The configuration file, DragonMounts.cfg, is your gateway to customizing the mod. Besides toggling eggs in chests, you can tweak other parameters to suit your playstyle. Simply open the file with a text editor and adjust the settings. After making changes, restart the game for them to take effect.
Community and Legacy
Dragon Mounts was developed by BarracudaATA, with contributions from a dedicated team including texture artists, testers, and porting specialists. The mod's journey spans from early Minecraft versions to 1.12, with community ports extending its life even further. A sequel, Dragon Mounts 2, reimagines the concept for newer versions, but the original continues to hold a special place in many modpacks. You can find discussions, texture packs, and support through the mod's official Discord community or watch showcase videos on BarracudaATA's YouTube channel. The mod's open-source nature means its legacy lives on through forks and updates, a testament to the enduring appeal of riding your very own dragon.
Why Dragon Mounts Remains a Must-Have Mod
In a sandbox defined by limitless creativity, Dragon Mounts delivers a focused, emotionally rewarding experience. It turns a symbolic trophy into a dynamic partner, giving you a reason to revisit the End or scour dungeons. The flight mechanics, while simple, offer a thrilling alternative to elytra or creative mode flying—especially when you're guiding a massive, fire-breathing beast over mountain ranges. The mod's compatibility with older Minecraft versions also makes it a cornerstone of nostalgic modpacks. Whether you're a veteran player reliving the golden age of modding or a newcomer discovering it through a curated launcher, Dragon Mounts captures the magic of bonding with a mythical creature in a blocky world. So grab that egg, stock up on fish, and prepare for a friendship that soars above the clouds.