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The seasonal content update for Minecraft has touched down — and it features the initial fresh armament added to the title since the heavy club made its debut. The spear is now available and it might just change how you play Minecraft, especially if you thrive on pandemonium.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mounts of Mayhem drop also adds several new features and enhancements centered around riding animals in the game. That driving concept made the spear the ideal addition for this update, as the creators had already known it was time for a fresh combat tool.

"We knew initially that we aimed for a new weapon that would add some more range, and we designed it specifically for fighting from atop a creature," explained a lead developer. "We prototyped a few different ideas, but the lance was the one that both handled superbly when we tested our prototypes and also made sense for the intended purpose."

If you're curious whether mounted combat means you can charge at your friends on steeds, the answer is a definite affirmative. In fact, there's even an combat move perfectly suited for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is one of the biggest applications for the spear, and it's a blast," the lead continues. "The spear has two attacks: You have the thrust, where you pierce your enemy. But you also have a powerful lance where you lower your spear and inflict more damage [with] the more pace you have. So [it’s] perfect for knightly combat."

Aerial Mayhem & Deep-Sea Exploration

The unruly pleasure doesn't have to stop there, though. If you're advanced sufficiently into the game that you've been to The End, the developers have an truly outlandish idea. "If you are very late, [spears are] ideal for strapping on the elytra and flying forth and creating genuine chaos," she hints.

In other words: Aerial lance combat is now real, and it needs to become 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 we've all been collecting for years, can be domesticated and mounted for submarine exploration. Not only will it transport you through the water faster than swimming, it'll also preserve your oxygen levels, so there's no requirement to surface for a breath.

The other inclusions are primarily things that seek your demise, as is the nature of Minecraft. As expected, there's also a zombie Nautilus appearing in the water, often with a Drowned on its back. If you are able to take care of the Drowned, though, you can tame the undead mount — or the standard version, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've been thinking about this problem for some time, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it felt like the ideal opportunity to also unveil something for the ocean depths," the lead clarifies. "For the Nautilus specifically, we had a number of concepts for aquatic rides that we wanted to try out, but the Nautilus concept art looked impressive, and we have the connection to the Nautilus shell that was pre-existing in the game."

She also notes that there are actually a pair of variants of undead nautilus: standard and coral zombie Nautilus. "[The variants] add variety to what you encounter underwater."

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Other additions include the sun-proof skeletons, biome-specific skeletons that can withstand the sun, which means there's no refuge from them if you end up in that environment. Sometimes you'll see them on camel husks, another new mob. Camel husks have an notable look that sees their skeletal frame exposed. The applies equally to undead steeds, who have a similar exposed-rib aesthetic and can sometimes be spawned in the darkness 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 long-overdue changes to equestrian travel. Now, you can ford rivers and lakes while riding a horse. Additionally, netherite horse armor is now craftable at the workbench, so you can give your horse the top-tier safeguarding it deserves.

A Spicy Send-Off for the Year

Overall, the final game drop of the year is a notable addition. The spear on its own — and the mayhem it enables — would have constituted a major improvement. Combine that with the Nautilus, and more things seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a bit spicier.

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