The Latest Mayhem Mounts Drop Brings Forth a Stunningly Wild Fresh Weapon to the Game

The seasonal game drop for the block-building phenomenon has arrived — and it brings with it the first new weapon introduced into the game since the mace made its debut. The lance is finally here and it has the potential to change how you play Minecraft, particularly when you enjoy mayhem.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

The Mayhem Mounts update also adds a host of fresh elements and enhancements focused on riding animals in the game. That focus made the spear the ideal addition for this release, as the creators had long felt it was time for a new weapon.

"From the outset, we understood that we aimed for a new weapon that would add some more range, and we envisioned it for fighting from atop a creature," noted a lead developer. "We tried out a number of concepts, but the spear was the one that both handled superbly when we tested our prototypes and also was visually fitting for the intended purpose."

If you're wondering whether fighting from a saddle means you can joust against your companions on steeds, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an combat move excellently designed for it.

"[Jousting on horses is one of the biggest use cases for the spear, and it's incredibly enjoyable," the developer adds. "The spear has two attacks: You have the thrust, where you simply impale your enemy. But you also have a powerful lance where you couch your lance and deal more damage [with] the more momentum you have. So [it’s] perfect for mounted duels."

Sky-High Chaos and Underwater Adventures

The unruly pleasure doesn't have to stop there, though. If you're advanced sufficiently 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] ideal for equipping the wings and taking to the skies and unleashing absolute pandemonium," she teases.

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

Another significant inclusion in this new update is the underwater mount. This underwater creature, which is inspired by the nautilus shells players have gathered for years, can be tamed and ridden for deep-sea journeys. Not only will it carry you through the water more swiftly than swimming, it'll also preserve your breath meter, so there's no requirement to return to the surface for a breath.

The rest of the additions are largely things that seek your demise, as is the tradition of Minecraft. Naturally, there's also a undead nautilus spawning in the water, often with a zombie villager 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 blowfish.

"We've been thinking about this problem for some time, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it felt like the right time to also introduce something for aquatic environments," the developer explains. "For the Nautilus specifically, we had a few different ideas for underwater mounts that we wanted to test, but the Nautilus design sketches looked compelling, and we have the connection to the Nautilus shell that was already in the game."

She also adds that there are actually two distinct kinds of zombie Nautilus: standard and coral zombie Nautilus. "[The variants] give some flavor to what you encounter underwater."

Desert Dangers and Long-Awaited Tweaks

Other additions include the Parched, desert-exclusive undead archers that can withstand the sun, which means there's no getting away from them if you venture in that environment. Sometimes you'll see them on camel husks, another new mob. These passive, zombified camels have an notable look that sees their bones protruding. The applies equally to undead steeds, who have a similar rib-popping design and can sometimes be encountered after dark 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 highly requested tweaks to equestrian travel. Now, you can cross rivers and lakes while atop a horse. Furthermore, high-tier barding is now craftable at the crafting table, so you can provide your steed with the top-tier safeguarding it deserves.

A Spicy Send-Off for the Year

Overall, the final game drop of the year is a notable addition. The spear by itself — and the potential for chaos — would have seemed like a significant enhancement. Throw in the Nautilus, and more things seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a touch more chaotic.

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