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The seasonal content update for the block-building phenomenon has touched down — and it features the initial fresh armament introduced into the title since the heavy club made its debut. The lance is finally here and it has the potential to alter your gameplay in Minecraft, especially if you thrive on pandemonium.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

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

"We knew initially that we aimed for a fresh armament that would add some more range, and we envisioned it for mounted combat," stated a senior product manager. "We experimented with a few different ideas, but the spear 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 tilt at your allies on steeds, the response is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an offensive action excellently designed for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is one of the biggest use cases for the spear, and it's incredibly enjoyable," the developer says. "The spear has a pair of offensive moves: You have the thrust, where you simply impale your enemy. But you also have a powerful lance where you lower your spear and inflict increased harm [with] the more pace you have. So [it’s] perfect for mounted duels."

Sky-High Chaos and Underwater Adventures

The unruly pleasure can extend beyond there, though. If you're far enough into the game that you've explored 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 flying forth and creating genuine chaos," she suggests.

In other words: Aerial lance combat is now possible, and it should be made an competitive event right away.

Another significant inclusion in this latest drop is the underwater mount. This sea-dwelling mob, which is inspired by the nautilus shells players have gathered 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 air supply, so there's no requirement to return to the surface for oxygen.

The rest of the additions are mostly things that seek your demise, as is the nature of Minecraft. Unsurprisingly, there's also a undead nautilus appearing in the water, frequently with a Drowned on its back. If you are able to take care of 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 issue for some time, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it seemed like the right time to also unveil something for aquatic environments," the lead clarifies. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a few different ideas for aquatic rides that we wanted to experiment with, but the Nautilus concept art looked impressive, and we have the link to the Nautilus shell that was found within the game."

She also adds that there are actually a pair of variants of zombie Nautilus: regular 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 undead archers that can survive in the sun, which means there's no refuge from them if you end up in that region. Sometimes you'll see them on camel husks, another fresh creature. These passive, zombified camels have an striking appearance that sees their ribs poking out. The applies equally to zombie horses, who have a comparable exposed-rib aesthetic and can sometimes be encountered after dark with a lance-wielding undead rider on their back.

The last two things on the drop's list are smaller gameplay updates, including some highly requested changes to equestrian travel. Now, you can cross waterways while atop a horse. Furthermore, netherite horse armor is now obtainable at the crafting table, so you can give your horse the ultimate protection it deserves.

A Spicy Send-Off for the Year

Overall, the last content update of the year is a notable addition. The spear on its own — and the pandemonium it invites — would have seemed like a significant enhancement. Combine that with the Nautilus, and more things seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a touch more chaotic.

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