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The seasonal game drop for the block-building phenomenon has arrived — and it brings with it the first new weapon added to the title since the mace made its debut. The spear is now available and it might just alter your gameplay in Minecraft, especially if you enjoy mayhem.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mayhem Mounts update also adds a host of fresh elements and updates focused on riding animals in the game. That focus made the spear the ideal addition for this update, as the development team had already known it was time for a new weapon.

"We knew initially that we wanted a fresh armament that would provide extended reach, and we designed it specifically for fighting from atop a creature," noted a lead developer. "We prototyped a number of concepts, but the spear was the one that both played wonderfully when we tested our prototypes and also was visually fitting for the intended purpose."

If you're asking yourself whether fighting from a saddle means you can joust against your friends on steeds, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an combat move excellently designed for it.

"[Jousting on horses is a major applications for the spear, and it's so much fun," the developer continues. "The spear has two attacks: You have the quick stab, where you just stab your enemy. But you also have a charge attack where you couch your lance and inflict increased harm [with] the more pace you have. So [it’s] perfect for knightly combat."

Sky-High Chaos and Underwater Adventures

The chaotic fun isn't limited to there, though. If you're deep enough into the game that you've been to The End, the developers have an delightfully absurd idea. "If you are very late, [spears are] perfect for equipping the elytra and going out and making some real mayhem," she hints.

In other words: Sky jousting is now a reality, and it should be made an Olympic sport without delay.

Another significant inclusion in this fresh content is the Nautilus. This sea-dwelling mob, which is based on the nautilus shells players have gathered for years, can be domesticated and mounted for underwater travel. Not only will it carry you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also conserve your air supply, so there's no requirement to surface for oxygen.

The other inclusions are primarily things that want to kill you, as is the nature of Minecraft. Unsurprisingly, there's also a undead nautilus popping up in the water, often with a zombie villager on its back. If you are able to defeat the Drowned, though, you can befriend the zombie Nautilus — or the standard version, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've pondered this challenge on and off, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it appeared to be the ideal opportunity to also introduce something for the ocean depths," the lead elaborates. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a several proposals for sea mounts that we wanted to test, 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 points out that there are actually two distinct kinds of undead nautilus: regular and coral-infested undead mount. "[The variants] provide diversity to what you discover underwater."

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Other additions include the sun-proof skeletons, biome-specific undead archers that can withstand the sun, which means there's no refuge from them if you find yourself in that environment. Sometimes you'll see them on desiccated dromedaries, another fresh creature. These passive, zombified camels have an excellent design that sees their bones protruding. The applies equally to zombie horses, who have a analogous rib-popping design and can sometimes be found at night with a lance-wielding undead rider on their back.

The final pair of items on the drop's list are minor quality-of-life improvements, including some much-anticipated changes to riding horses. Now, you can traverse waterways while mounted on a horse. Additionally, netherite horse armor is now craftable at the crafting table, so you can provide your steed with the ultimate protection it is worthy of.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

Overall, the year-end release of the year is a pretty good one. The spear by itself — and the mayhem it enables — would have felt like a significant enhancement. Add in the Nautilus, and more things seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a little more dangerous.

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