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The winter content update for the block-building phenomenon has touched down — and it includes the initial fresh armament introduced into the game since the heavy club made its debut. The javelin is finally here and it has the potential to alter your gameplay in Minecraft, especially if you love chaos.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

The Mounts of Mayhem drop also incorporates several new features and enhancements focused on animal mounts in the game. That central theme made the spear the perfect fit for this release, as the creators had long felt it was the moment to introduce a fresh combat tool.

"We knew initially that we aimed for a fresh armament that would add some more range, and we designed it specifically for mounted combat," stated a senior product manager. "We prototyped a number of concepts, but the spear was the one that both played wonderfully when we tested our prototypes and also made sense for the use case."

If you're wondering whether fighting from a saddle means you can charge at your allies on steeds, the response is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an offensive action ideally crafted for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is a major use cases for the spear, and it's incredibly enjoyable," the lead continues. "The spear has two attacks: You have the jab attack, where you pierce your enemy. But you also have a charge attack where you lower your spear and inflict more damage [with] the more pace you have. So [it’s] tailor-made for knightly combat."

Aerial Mayhem & Deep-Sea Exploration

The chaotic fun doesn't have to stop there, though. If you're far enough into the game that you've visited The End, the developers have an even more ridiculous idea. "If you are very late, [spears are] ideal for strapping on the elytra and flying forth and making some real mayhem," she teases.

In other words: Aerial lance combat is now real, and it should be made an Olympic sport immediately.

Another significant inclusion in this latest drop is the underwater mount. This sea-dwelling mob, which is modeled after the nautilus shells players have gathered for years, can be tamed and ridden for underwater travel. Not only will it move you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also preserve your air supply, so there's no requirement to surface for oxygen.

The remaining new features are primarily things that are out to get you, as is the tradition of Minecraft. Naturally, there's also a zombie Nautilus popping up in the water, often with a zombie villager on its back. If you manage to take care of the Drowned, though, you can claim the zombie Nautilus — or the standard version, for that matter — with a blowfish.

"We've long considered this challenge on and off, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it seemed like the ideal opportunity to also unveil something for underwater," the developer clarifies. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a number of concepts for underwater mounts that we wanted to experiment with, but the Nautilus concept art looked compelling, and we have the link to the Nautilus shell that was pre-existing in the game."

She also notes that there are actually two distinct kinds of zombie Nautilus: regular and coral zombie Nautilus. "[The variants] add variety to what you encounter underwater."

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Other additions include the sun-proof skeletons, biome-specific skeletons that can endure the sun, which means there's no escape from them if you end up in that region. Sometimes you'll see them on camel husks, another fresh creature. These passive, zombified camels have an excellent design that sees their skeletal frame exposed. The applies equally to zombie horses, who have a comparable rib-popping design and can sometimes be encountered after dark with a spear-carrying undead rider on their back.

The remaining updates on the drop's list are refinements, including some long-overdue changes to equestrian travel. Now, you can cross rivers and lakes while mounted on a horse. Also, high-tier barding is now available at the crafting table, so you can provide your steed with the ultimate protection it is worthy of.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

In summary, the year-end release of the year is a solid offering. The spear by itself — and the mayhem it enables — would have constituted a significant enhancement. Add in the Nautilus, and new threats seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a little more dangerous.

The Mounts of Mayhem content drop is out now for Java and Bedrock editions of Minecraft.