Minecraft's Mayhem Mounts Update Brings Forth a Stunningly Wild New Spear to the Game

The seasonal game drop for the block-building phenomenon has landed — and it includes the first new weapon added to the game since the mace made its debut. The spear is now available and it could very well change how you play Minecraft, especially if you love chaos.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

The Mayhem Mounts update also incorporates a host of fresh elements and enhancements focused on riding animals in the game. That focus made the spear the perfect fit for this update, as the creators had already known it was time for a fresh combat tool.

"From the outset, we understood that we desired a fresh armament that would provide extended reach, and we wanted it to be mounted combat," noted a lead developer. "We experimented with a number of concepts, but the spear was the one that both handled superbly when we ran our trials and also made sense for the intended purpose."

If you're asking yourself whether mounted combat means you can charge at your companions on steeds, the response is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an offensive action excellently designed for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is a primary functions for the spear, and it's incredibly enjoyable," the lead continues. "The spear has a dual attack system: You have the jab attack, where you pierce your enemy. But you also have a powerful lance where you lower your spear and deal more damage [with] the more pace you have. So [it’s] perfect for mounted duels."

Aerial Mayhem & Deep-Sea Exploration

The chaotic fun isn't limited to 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 quite advanced, [spears are] perfect for equipping the elytra and flying forth and creating genuine chaos," she hints.

In other words: Sky jousting is now real, and it deserves to be an Olympic sport right away.

Another key feature in this latest drop is the Nautilus. This underwater creature, which is modeled after the nautilus shells players have gathered for years, can be domesticated and mounted for submarine exploration. Not only will it move you through the water more swiftly than swimming, it'll also conserve your oxygen levels, so there's no requirement to surface for fresh air.

The other inclusions are primarily things that are out to get you, as is the nature of Minecraft. Naturally, there's also a rotting sea creature popping up in the water, frequently with a Drowned on its back. If you succeed in take care of the Drowned, though, you can claim the zombie Nautilus — or the standard version, for that matter — with a spiky fish.

"We've been thinking about this issue periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it appeared to be the right time to also unveil something for the ocean depths," the lead elaborates. "For the Nautilus specifically, we had a several proposals for underwater mounts that we wanted to try out, but the Nautilus initial artwork looked impressive, and we have the connection to the Nautilus shell that was pre-existing in the game."

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

Desert Dangers and Long-Awaited Tweaks

Further inclusions 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 desiccated dromedaries, another new mob. Camel husks have an notable look that sees their ribs poking out. The applies equally to zombie horses, who have a comparable rib-popping design and can sometimes be spawned in the darkness with a lance-wielding zombie on their back.

The final pair of items on the drop's list are smaller gameplay updates, including some much-anticipated adjustments to riding horses. Now, you can traverse waterways while riding a horse. Furthermore, high-tier barding is now obtainable at the workbench, so you can provide your steed with the ultimate protection it deserves.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

Overall, the final game drop of the year is a pretty good one. The spear by itself — and the potential for chaos — would have felt like a major improvement. Combine that with the Nautilus, and additional creatures seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a bit spicier.

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