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The seasonal game drop for the block-building phenomenon has landed — and it features the first new weapon introduced into the game since the mace made its debut. The spear is now available and it could very well revolutionize your approach to Minecraft, especially if you thrive on pandemonium.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mounts of Mayhem update also introduces several new features and updates focused on animal mounts in the game. That driving concept made the spear the perfect fit for this release, as the development team had long felt it was the moment to introduce a fresh combat tool.

"From the outset, we understood that we aimed for a fresh armament that would increase combat distance, and we envisioned it for fighting from atop a creature," stated a senior product manager. "We prototyped a number of concepts, but the spear was the one that both handled superbly when we tested our prototypes and also looked good for the intended purpose."

If you're asking yourself whether fighting from a saddle means you can tilt at your companions on horseback, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an attack perfectly suited for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is a major use cases for the spear, and it's a blast," the lead continues. "The spear has two attacks: You have the jab attack, where you simply impale your enemy. But you also have a powerful lance where you couch your lance and get increased harm [with] the more speed and velocity you have. So [it’s] ideal for mounted duels."

Aerial Mayhem & Deep-Sea Exploration

The unruly pleasure 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 delightfully absurd idea. "If you are very late, [spears are] excellent for equipping the wings and taking to the skies and making some real mayhem," she teases.

In other words: Jousting in the clouds is now a reality, and it should be made an Olympic sport immediately.

Another key feature in this fresh content is the Nautilus. This underwater creature, which is inspired by the seashells found in-game for years, can be domesticated and ridden for submarine exploration. Not only will it carry you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also preserve your breath meter, so there's no need to return to the surface for oxygen.

The other inclusions are largely things that seek your demise, as is the nature of Minecraft. Naturally, there's also a undead nautilus appearing in the water, frequently with a Drowned on its back. If you are able to take care of the Drowned, though, you can tame the zombie Nautilus — or the regular one, for that matter — with a spiky fish.

"We've pondered this problem periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it felt like the right time to also bring in something for underwater," the developer elaborates. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a number of concepts for sea mounts that we wanted to test, but the Nautilus design sketches looked striking, and we have the connection to the Nautilus shell that was found within the game."

She also adds that there are actually a pair of variants of undead nautilus: regular and coral-infested undead mount. "[The variants] add variety to what you find underwater."

Desert Dangers and Long-Awaited Tweaks

Additional features include the Parched, biome-specific undead archers that can withstand the sun, which means there's no refuge from them if you find yourself in that biome. Sometimes you'll see them on zombified camels, another fresh creature. Camel husks have an notable look that sees their ribs poking out. The applies equally to zombie horses, who have a similar rib-popping design and can sometimes be encountered after dark with a lance-wielding undead rider on their back.

The last two things on the drop's list are smaller gameplay updates, including some much-anticipated tweaks to equestrian travel. Now, you can cross waterways while riding a horse. Furthermore, netherite horse armor is now obtainable at the workbench, so you can provide your steed with the best defense it deserves.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

Overall, the final game drop of the year is a solid offering. The spear alone — and the mayhem it enables — would have felt like a significant enhancement. Throw in the Nautilus, and additional creatures trying to kill you, 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.