🔗 Share this article

The winter content update for Minecraft has arrived — and it features the first new weapon added to the game since the heavy club made its debut. The spear is now available and it could very well change how you play Minecraft, particularly when you thrive on pandemonium.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mayhem Mounts update also introduces a host of fresh elements and updates related to riding animals in the game. That central theme made the spear the natural choice for this release, as the development team had already known it was time for a fresh combat tool.

"We knew initially that we desired a fresh armament that would increase combat distance, and we designed it specifically for fighting from atop a creature," stated a senior product manager. "We tried out a number of concepts, but the spear was the one that both felt great when we tested our prototypes and also made sense for the intended purpose."

If you're wondering whether mounted combat means you can tilt at your friends on horseback, the response is a definite affirmative. In fact, there's even an offensive action perfectly suited for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is a major functions for the spear, and it's so much fun," the developer continues. "The spear has a pair of offensive moves: You have the thrust, where you pierce your enemy. But you also have a powerful lance where you lower your spear and deal more damage [with] the more momentum you have. So [it’s] perfect for jousting on horses."

Sky-High Chaos and Underwater Adventures

The unruly pleasure can extend beyond there, though. If you're advanced sufficiently into the game that you've explored The End, the developers have an even more ridiculous idea. "If you are in the end-game, [spears are] perfect for strapping on the wings and taking to the skies and creating genuine chaos," she teases.

In other words: Sky jousting is now a reality, and it deserves to be an Olympic sport immediately.

Another major addition in this fresh content is the Nautilus. This underwater creature, which is based on the seashells found in-game for years, can be tamed and ridden for deep-sea journeys. Not only will it move you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also preserve your breath meter, so there's no requirement to come up for air for oxygen.

The other inclusions are primarily things that want to kill you, as is the way of Minecraft. As expected, there's also a rotting sea creature spawning in the water, sometimes with a Drowned on its back. If you succeed in defeat the Drowned, though, you can claim the undead mount — or the regular one, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've been thinking about this challenge periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it seemed like the right time to also introduce something for aquatic environments," the lead explains. "For the Nautilus specifically, we had a few different ideas for aquatic rides that we wanted to try out, but the Nautilus initial artwork looked compelling, and we have the connection to the Nautilus shell that was found within the game."

She also points out that there are actually a pair of variants of zombie Nautilus: standard and coral zombie Nautilus. "[The variants] give some flavor to what you discover underwater."

Desert Dangers and Long-Awaited Tweaks

Other additions include the Parched, desert-exclusive skeletons that can withstand the sun, which means there's no getting away from them if you end up in that region. Sometimes you'll see them on desiccated dromedaries, another fresh creature. These passive, zombified camels have an notable look that sees their skeletal frame exposed. The same goes for undead steeds, who have a analogous exposed-rib aesthetic and can sometimes be found at night with a lance-wielding undead rider on their back.

The last two things on the drop's list are smaller gameplay updates, including some long-overdue changes to equestrian travel. Now, you can traverse bodies of water while mounted on a horse. Additionally, netherite horse armor is now obtainable at the crafting table, so you can provide your steed with the best defense it is worthy of.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

All told, the year-end release of the year is a solid offering. The spear on its own — and the pandemonium it invites — would have constituted a significant enhancement. Throw in the Nautilus, and new threats trying to kill you, and Minecraft's definitely getting a bit spicier.

The Mayhem Mounts update is live for all major editions of Minecraft.