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The seasonal game drop for the block-building phenomenon has arrived — and it includes the initial fresh armament added to the game since the mace made its debut. The javelin is finally here and it might just revolutionize your approach to Minecraft, especially if you enjoy mayhem.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mayhem Mounts drop also incorporates a host of fresh elements and updates centered around riding animals in the game. That driving concept made the spear the natural choice for this release, as the development team had long felt 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 fighting from atop a creature," stated a senior product manager. "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 fighting from a saddle means you can charge at your friends on horseback, the response is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an attack excellently designed for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is a primary functions for the spear, and it's a blast," the lead adds. "The spear has a pair of offensive moves: You have the quick stab, where you simply impale your enemy. But you also have a powerful lance where you couch your lance and inflict more damage [with] the more momentum you have. So [it’s] ideal for knightly combat."

Sky-High Chaos and Underwater Adventures

The unruly pleasure doesn't have to stop there, though. If you're advanced sufficiently into the game that you've explored The End, the developers have an truly outlandish idea. "If you are very late, [spears are] excellent for strapping on the wings and flying forth and making some real mayhem," she hints.

In other words: Jousting in the clouds is now real, and it needs to become an competitive event without delay.

Another key feature 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 mounted for deep-sea journeys. Not only will it move you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also maintain your breath meter, so there's no requirement to come up for air for fresh air.

The other inclusions are largely things that seek your demise, as is the tradition of Minecraft. Naturally, there's also a rotting sea creature popping up in the water, frequently with a Drowned on its back. If you manage to dispatch the Drowned, though, you can tame the zombie Nautilus — or the standard version, for that matter — with a blowfish.

"We've long considered this problem periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it felt like the ideal opportunity to also introduce something for aquatic environments," the lead elaborates. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a few different ideas for sea mounts that we wanted to test, but the Nautilus design sketches looked compelling, and we have the link to the Nautilus shell that was found within the game."

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

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Additional features include the sun-proof skeletons, desert-exclusive skeletons that can survive in the sun, which means there's no escape from them if you venture in that environment. Sometimes you'll see them on camel husks, another fresh creature. Camel husks have an notable look that sees their skeletal frame exposed. The applies equally to undead steeds, who have a comparable rib-popping design and can sometimes be encountered after dark with a lance-wielding undead rider on their back.

The final pair of items on the drop's list are smaller gameplay updates, including some long-overdue tweaks to riding horses. Now, you can cross bodies of water while mounted on a horse. Also, netherite horse armor is now available at the workbench, so you can provide your steed with the ultimate protection it deserves.

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 potential for chaos — would have felt like a major improvement. Combine that with the Nautilus, and new threats seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a bit spicier.

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