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The seasonal content update for Minecraft has arrived — and it includes the initial fresh armament introduced into the game since the heavy club made its debut. The javelin is finally here and it might just alter your gameplay in Minecraft, especially if you love chaos.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mounts of Mayhem update also adds a host of fresh elements and enhancements related to animal mounts in the game. That driving concept made the spear the natural choice for this update, as the creators had long felt it was time for a fresh combat tool.

"We knew initially that we desired a fresh armament that would add some more range, and we wanted it to be fighting from atop a creature," stated a senior product manager. "We prototyped 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 mounted combat means you can joust against your friends on horseback, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an combat move ideally crafted for it.

"[Jousting on horses is one of the biggest use cases for the spear, and it's a blast," the developer says. "The spear has two attacks: You have the thrust, where you just stab your enemy. But you also have a charge attack where you couch your lance and inflict greater injury [with] the more speed and velocity you have. So [it’s] tailor-made for jousting on horses."

Sky-High Chaos and Underwater Adventures

The wild enjoyment isn't limited to there, though. If you're far enough into the game that you've explored The End, the developers have an delightfully absurd idea. "If you are in the end-game, [spears are] excellent for equipping the elytra and flying forth and unleashing absolute pandemonium," she hints.

In other words: Aerial lance combat is now possible, and it needs to become an Olympic sport immediately.

Another major addition in this fresh content is the Nautilus. This underwater creature, which is inspired by the seashells found in-game for years, can be domesticated and ridden for deep-sea journeys. Not only will it carry you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also preserve your air supply, so there's no requirement to come up for air for oxygen.

The rest of the additions are mostly things that want to kill you, as is the way of Minecraft. Unsurprisingly, there's also a undead nautilus spawning in the water, often with a zombie villager on its back. If you are able to dispatch the Drowned, though, you can claim the undead mount — or the standard version, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've long considered this challenge for some time, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it appeared to be the ideal opportunity to also introduce something for aquatic environments," the lead explains. "For the Nautilus specifically, we had a several proposals for aquatic rides that we wanted to test, but the Nautilus concept art looked compelling, and we have the tie-in to the Nautilus shell that was pre-existing in the game."

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

Desert Dangers and Long-Awaited Tweaks

Other additions include the sun-proof skeletons, biome-specific skeletons that can endure the sun, which means there's no refuge from them if you find yourself in that environment. Sometimes you'll see them on desiccated dromedaries, another fresh creature. These passive, zombified camels have an striking appearance that sees their bones protruding. The same goes for undead steeds, who have a similar exposed-rib aesthetic and can sometimes be spawned in the darkness 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 cross rivers and lakes while mounted on a horse. Additionally, netherite horse armor is now craftable at the workbench, so you can provide your steed with the ultimate protection it deserves.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

Overall, the final game drop of the year is a notable addition. The spear alone — and the mayhem it enables — would have felt like a considerable upgrade. Throw in the Nautilus, and new threats trying to kill you, and Minecraft's definitely getting a bit spicier.

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