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The winter game drop for the block-building phenomenon has touched down — and it includes the first new weapon added to the game since the mace made its debut. The spear is finally here and it might just revolutionize your approach to Minecraft, particularly when you enjoy mayhem.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

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

"From the outset, we understood that we wanted a fresh armament that would increase combat distance, and we envisioned it for mounted combat," stated a lead developer. "We experimented with a number of concepts, but the spear was the one that both felt great when we ran our trials and also made sense for the use case."

If you're asking yourself whether mounted combat means you can joust against your companions on horseback, the answer is a definite affirmative. In fact, there's even an combat move excellently designed for it.

"[Jousting on horses is a primary functions for the spear, and it's a blast," the developer continues. "The spear has a pair of offensive moves: You have the quick stab, where you pierce your enemy. But you also have a sprinting strike where you couch your lance and deal greater injury [with] the more momentum you have. So [it’s] tailor-made for mounted duels."

Aerial Mayhem & Deep-Sea Exploration

The chaotic fun can extend beyond there, though. If you're deep enough into the game that you've visited The End, the developers have an delightfully absurd idea. "If you are in the end-game, [spears are] excellent for equipping the wings and taking to the skies and unleashing absolute pandemonium," she hints.

In other words: Sky jousting is now real, and it needs to become an competitive event immediately.

Another key feature in this new update is the Nautilus. This aquatic being, which is modeled after the nautilus shells players have gathered for years, can be tamed and ridden for deep-sea journeys. Not only will it transport you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also conserve your air supply, so there's no need to surface for fresh air.

The other inclusions are mostly things that are out to get you, as is the nature of Minecraft. Naturally, there's also a zombie Nautilus appearing in the water, frequently with a Drowned on its back. If you succeed in dispatch the Drowned, though, you can befriend the undead mount — or the regular one, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've long considered this issue for some time, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it seemed like the ideal opportunity to also introduce something for the ocean depths," the lead clarifies. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a number of concepts for aquatic rides that we wanted to test, but the Nautilus design sketches looked impressive, and we have the connection to the Nautilus shell that was found within the game."

She also notes that there are actually two different types of zombie Nautilus: standard and coral-infested undead mount. "[The variants] add variety to what you encounter underwater."

Desert Dangers and Long-Awaited Tweaks

Other additions include the sun-proof skeletons, biome-specific undead archers that can withstand the sun, which means there's no escape from them if you find yourself in that region. Sometimes you'll see them on desiccated dromedaries, another new mob. These passive, zombified camels have an excellent design that sees their ribs poking out. The same goes for undead steeds, who have a similar rib-popping design and can sometimes be found at night with a spear-carrying zombie on their back.

The final pair of items on the drop's list are minor quality-of-life improvements, including some highly requested tweaks to equestrian travel. Now, you can cross waterways while atop a horse. Also, netherite horse armor is now obtainable at the crafting table, so you can give your horse the top-tier safeguarding it is worthy of.

A Spicy Send-Off for the Year

Overall, the year-end release of the year is a notable addition. The spear alone — and the potential for chaos — would have seemed like a significant enhancement. Throw in the Nautilus, and new threats 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.