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The seasonal game drop for the block-building phenomenon has arrived — and it includes the first new weapon introduced into the game since the heavy club made its debut. The javelin is finally here and it could very well revolutionize your approach to Minecraft, especially if you enjoy mayhem.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mounts of Mayhem update also adds a host of fresh elements and updates related to riding animals in the game. That focus made the spear the natural choice for this release, as the development team had long felt it was the moment to introduce a new weapon.

"From the outset, we understood that we wanted a fresh armament that would provide extended reach, and we wanted it to be mounted combat," noted a lead developer. "We prototyped a few different ideas, but the lance was the one that both played wonderfully when we tested our prototypes and also looked good for the use case."

If you're curious whether mounted combat means you can charge at your allies 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 functions for the spear, and it's a blast," the developer continues. "The spear has a pair of offensive moves: You have the quick stab, where you pierce your enemy. But you also have a sprinting strike where you couch your lance and deal increased harm [with] the more momentum you have. So [it’s] perfect for jousting on horses."

Aerial Mayhem & Deep-Sea Exploration

The unruly pleasure doesn't have to stop there, though. If you're deep enough into the game that you've explored The End, the developers have an even more ridiculous idea. "If you are quite advanced, [spears are] excellent for strapping on the elytra and going out and making some real mayhem," she hints.

In other words: Sky jousting is now possible, and it deserves to be 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 we've all been collecting for years, can be tamed and ridden for underwater travel. Not only will it transport you through the water more swiftly than swimming, it'll also maintain your air supply, so there's no necessity to surface for fresh air.

The other inclusions are primarily things that are out to get you, as is the tradition of Minecraft. Naturally, there's also a zombie Nautilus appearing in the water, often with a Drowned on its back. If you succeed in take care of the Drowned, though, you can tame the zombie Nautilus — or the standard version, for that matter — with a blowfish.

"We've pondered this challenge periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it felt like the right time to also bring in something for underwater," the lead elaborates. "For the Nautilus specifically, we had a few different ideas for sea mounts that we wanted to experiment with, but the Nautilus initial artwork looked striking, and we have the link to the Nautilus shell that was pre-existing in the game."

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

Desert Dangers and Long-Awaited Tweaks

Additional features include the Parched, desert-exclusive skeletons that can endure the sun, which means there's no escape from them if you find yourself in that region. Sometimes you'll see them on zombified camels, another new mob. Camel husks have an notable look that sees their bones protruding. The same goes for undead steeds, who have a similar rib-popping design 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 smaller gameplay updates, including some much-anticipated tweaks to riding horses. Now, you can cross waterways while mounted on a horse. Also, netherite horse armor is now craftable at the workbench, so you can give your horse the best defense it is worthy of.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

Overall, the final game drop of the year is a notable addition. The spear by itself — and the pandemonium it invites — would have felt like a major improvement. Add in the Nautilus, and more things trying to kill you, and Minecraft's definitely getting a little more dangerous.

The Mayhem Mounts content drop is available for all major editions of Minecraft.