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The winter game drop for Minecraft has arrived — and it brings with it the first new weapon introduced into the title since the mace made its debut. The javelin is now available and it might just change how you play Minecraft, particularly when you enjoy mayhem.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

The Mounts of Mayhem drop also introduces several new features and enhancements focused on riding animals in the game. That focus made the spear the perfect fit for this release, as the creators had long felt it was time for a new weapon.

"We knew initially that we aimed for a new weapon that would provide extended reach, and we envisioned it for mounted combat," stated a senior product manager. "We prototyped a few different ideas, but the spear was the one that both felt great 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 friends on steeds, the answer is a definite affirmative. In fact, there's even an offensive action excellently designed for it.

"[Jousting on horses is a primary use cases for the spear, and it's so much fun," the developer adds. "The spear has a dual attack system: You have the thrust, where you pierce your enemy. But you also have a charge attack where you couch your lance and deal greater injury [with] the more pace you have. So [it’s] ideal for mounted duels."

Aerial Mayhem & Deep-Sea Exploration

The chaotic fun isn't limited to there, though. If you're far enough into the game that you've been to The End, the developers have an delightfully absurd idea. "If you are very late, [spears are] excellent for equipping the wings and taking to the skies and creating genuine chaos," she suggests.

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

Another key feature in this fresh content is the Nautilus. This underwater creature, which is modeled after the seashells found in-game for years, can be domesticated and ridden for underwater travel. Not only will it move you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also maintain your oxygen levels, so there's no requirement to come up for air for oxygen.

The other inclusions are primarily things that seek your demise, as is the nature of Minecraft. Naturally, there's also a rotting sea creature appearing in the water, frequently with a zombie villager on its back. If you are able to take care of the Drowned, though, you can claim the undead mount — or the standard version, for that matter — with a blowfish.

"We've been thinking about this issue periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it appeared to be the perfect moment to also bring in something for underwater," the developer clarifies. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a several proposals for underwater mounts that we wanted to test, but the Nautilus concept art looked impressive, and we have the connection to the Nautilus shell that was found within the game."

She also notes that there are actually two distinct kinds of zombie Nautilus: regular and coral-infested undead mount. "[The variants] provide diversity to what you discover underwater."

Desert Dangers and Long-Awaited Tweaks

Further inclusions include the sun-proof skeletons, biome-specific 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 zombified camels, another new mob. These passive, zombified camels have an notable look that sees their skeletal frame exposed. The same goes for zombie horses, who have a analogous exposed-rib aesthetic and can sometimes be found at night with a spear-carrying undead rider on their back.

The final pair of items on the drop's list are refinements, including some long-overdue changes to equestrian travel. Now, you can traverse waterways while atop a horse. Also, netherite horse armor is now craftable at the crafting table, so you can give your horse the ultimate protection it is worthy of.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

Overall, the last content update of the year is a pretty good one. The spear on its own — and the mayhem it enables — would have constituted a considerable upgrade. Combine that with the Nautilus, and additional creatures trying to kill you, and Minecraft's definitely getting a little more dangerous.

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