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The seasonal content update for the block-building phenomenon has landed — and it features the initial fresh armament introduced into the game since the heavy club made its debut. The spear is now available and it could very well alter your gameplay in Minecraft, especially if you love chaos.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mayhem Mounts update also adds several new features and enhancements centered around animal mounts in the game. That central theme made the spear the ideal addition for this release, as the creators had already known it was time for a fresh combat tool.

"From the outset, we understood that we aimed for a fresh armament that would provide extended reach, and we designed it specifically for mounted combat," stated a senior product manager. "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 curious whether fighting from a saddle means you can joust against your companions on steeds, the answer is a definite affirmative. In fact, there's even an combat move perfectly suited for it.

"[Jousting on horses is a major functions for the spear, and it's so much fun," the developer adds. "The spear has a dual attack system: You have the quick stab, where you simply impale your enemy. But you also have a powerful lance where you lower your spear and deal increased harm [with] the more pace you have. So [it’s] perfect for knightly combat."

Sky-High Chaos and Underwater Adventures

The unruly pleasure can extend beyond there, though. If you're far enough into the game that you've been to The End, the developers have an even more ridiculous idea. "If you are quite advanced, [spears are] perfect for strapping on the elytra and going out and unleashing absolute pandemonium," she hints.

In other words: Jousting in the clouds is now real, and it needs to become an competitive event right away.

Another major addition in this new update is the Nautilus. This sea-dwelling mob, which is modeled after the seashells players have gathered for years, can be tamed and ridden for submarine exploration. Not only will it transport you through the water faster than swimming, it'll also maintain your breath meter, so there's no need to return to the surface for a breath.

The remaining new features are mostly 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 manage to defeat the Drowned, though, you can befriend the zombie Nautilus — or the standard version, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've long considered this challenge on and off, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it seemed like the ideal opportunity to also bring in something for the ocean depths," the developer elaborates. "For the Nautilus specifically, we had a number of concepts for underwater mounts that we wanted to test, but the Nautilus concept art looked striking, 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 different types of undead nautilus: standard and coral zombie Nautilus. "[The variants] provide diversity to what you find underwater."

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Further inclusions include the sun-proof skeletons, desert-exclusive skeletons that can endure the sun, which means there's no getting away from them if you find yourself in that environment. Sometimes you'll see them on camel husks, another fresh creature. Camel husks have an excellent design that sees their skeletal frame exposed. The applies equally to zombie horses, who have a similar exposed-rib aesthetic and can sometimes be encountered after dark with a lance-wielding zombie on their back.

The remaining updates on the drop's list are smaller gameplay updates, including some highly requested tweaks to equestrian travel. Now, you can ford waterways while atop a horse. Also, high-tier barding is now available at the workbench, so you can provide your steed with the top-tier safeguarding it is worthy of.

A Spicy Send-Off for the Year

In summary, the year-end release of the year is a notable addition. The spear by itself — and the pandemonium it invites — would have felt like a considerable upgrade. Combine that with the Nautilus, and new threats trying to kill you, and Minecraft's definitely getting a bit spicier.

The Mounts of Mayhem update is live for all major editions of Minecraft.