Minecraft's Mounts of Mayhem Update Introduces a Stunningly Wild New Spear to Your World

The winter game drop for Minecraft has arrived — and it features the initial fresh armament added to the game since the mace made its debut. The spear is now available and it might just alter your gameplay in Minecraft, particularly when you enjoy mayhem.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

The Mayhem Mounts update also incorporates several new features and enhancements focused on riding animals in the game. That driving concept made the spear the ideal addition for this release, as the development team had long felt it was time for a new weapon.

"We knew initially that we wanted a new weapon that would provide extended reach, and we envisioned it for mounted combat," stated a lead developer. "We prototyped a few different ideas, but the spear was the one that both played wonderfully when we ran our trials and also made sense for the use case."

If you're asking yourself whether mounted combat means you can charge at your companions on horseback, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an offensive action perfectly suited for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is a major functions for the spear, and it's so much fun," the lead continues. "The spear has a pair of offensive moves: You have the thrust, where you simply impale your enemy. But you also have a charge attack where you lower your spear and inflict greater injury [with] the more speed and velocity you have. So [it’s] ideal for knightly combat."

Aerial Mayhem & Deep-Sea Exploration

The wild enjoyment doesn't have to stop there, though. If you're deep enough into the game that you've visited The End, the developers have an truly outlandish idea. "If you are in the end-game, [spears are] perfect for strapping on the wings and going out and making some real mayhem," she teases.

In other words: Sky jousting is now a reality, and it deserves to be an competitive event right away.

Another key feature in this fresh content is the underwater mount. This aquatic being, which is modeled after the nautilus shells we've all been collecting for years, can be tamed and mounted for underwater travel. Not only will it transport you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also preserve your air supply, so there's no necessity to return to the surface for fresh air.

The remaining new features are mostly things that are out to get you, as is the way of Minecraft. As expected, there's also a zombie Nautilus spawning in the water, frequently with a zombie villager on its back. If you manage to dispatch the Drowned, though, you can befriend the zombie Nautilus — or the standard version, for that matter — with a spiky fish.

"We've been thinking about this problem for some time, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it appeared to be the perfect moment to also introduce something for underwater," the lead explains. "For the Nautilus specifically, we had a few different ideas for sea mounts that we wanted to try out, 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 different types of undead nautilus: standard and coral-infested undead mount. "[The variants] give some flavor to what you encounter underwater."

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Further inclusions include the sun-proof skeletons, desert-exclusive undead archers that can survive in the sun, which means there's no refuge from them if you find yourself in that biome. Sometimes you'll see them on desiccated dromedaries, another new mob. These passive, zombified camels have an excellent design that sees their bones protruding. The same goes for undead steeds, who have a similar rib-popping design and can sometimes be found at night with a spear-carrying zombie on their back.

The final pair of items on the drop's list are smaller gameplay updates, including some highly requested changes to equestrian travel. Now, you can ford waterways while mounted on a horse. Also, netherite horse armor is now obtainable at the workbench, so you can provide your steed with the ultimate protection it is worthy of.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

All told, the final game drop of the year is a solid offering. The spear alone — and the mayhem it enables — would have seemed like a major improvement. Throw in the Nautilus, and new threats seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a touch more chaotic.

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