The Latest Mayhem Mounts Drop Introduces a Beautifully Chaotic Fresh Weapon to Your World

The seasonal content update for Minecraft has arrived — and it features the initial fresh armament introduced into the game since the mace made its debut. The lance is finally here and it could very well revolutionize your approach to Minecraft, especially if you enjoy mayhem.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mayhem Mounts update also incorporates several new features and enhancements related to animal mounts in the game. That central theme made the spear the perfect fit for this release, as the development team had already known it was time for a fresh combat tool.

"We knew initially that we wanted a new weapon that would provide extended reach, and we wanted it to be mounted combat," explained a lead developer. "We experimented with a few different ideas, but the spear was the one that both played wonderfully when we tested our prototypes and also looked good for the intended purpose."

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

"[Jousting on horses is a primary applications for the spear, and it's so much fun," the developer says. "The spear has a dual attack system: You have the jab attack, where you just stab your enemy. But you also have a powerful lance where you couch your lance and deal increased harm [with] the more speed and velocity you have. So [it’s] tailor-made for jousting on horses."

Sky-High Chaos and Underwater Adventures

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 quite advanced, [spears are] excellent for strapping on the elytra and flying forth and unleashing absolute pandemonium," she suggests.

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

Another significant inclusion in this new update is the underwater mount. This underwater creature, which is based on the nautilus shells found in-game for years, can be domesticated and ridden for submarine exploration. Not only will it move you through the water faster than swimming, it'll also conserve your oxygen levels, so there's no requirement to return to the surface for fresh air.

The remaining new features are primarily things that seek your demise, as is the way of Minecraft. As expected, there's also a undead nautilus spawning in the water, frequently with a Drowned on its back. If you are able to take care of the Drowned, though, you can claim the zombie Nautilus — or the regular one, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've pondered this challenge periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it appeared to be the ideal opportunity to also unveil something for underwater," the lead elaborates. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a number of concepts for underwater mounts that we wanted to try out, but the Nautilus design sketches looked compelling, and we have the connection to the Nautilus shell that was pre-existing in the game."

She also points out that there are actually two distinct kinds of undead nautilus: regular and coral zombie Nautilus. "[The variants] provide diversity to what you encounter underwater."

Desert Dangers and Long-Awaited Tweaks

Additional features include the sun-proof skeletons, biome-specific undead archers that can survive in the sun, which means there's no escape 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 excellent design that sees their ribs poking out. The applies equally to undead steeds, who have a analogous rib-popping design and can sometimes be spawned in the darkness with a spear-carrying zombie on their back.

The last two things on the drop's list are refinements, including some much-anticipated changes to riding horses. Now, you can ford bodies of water while atop a horse. Also, high-tier barding 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

All told, the last content update of the year is a notable addition. The spear by itself — and the mayhem it enables — would have seemed like 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 available for all major editions of Minecraft.