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

The winter content update for the block-building phenomenon has touched down — and it brings with it the initial fresh armament introduced into the title since the mace made its debut. The spear is now available and it could very well change how you play Minecraft, especially if you love chaos.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

The Mayhem Mounts drop also incorporates several new features and updates related to animal mounts in the game. That focus made the spear the perfect fit for this update, as the development team had already known it was the moment to introduce a new weapon.

"We knew initially that we aimed for a new weapon that would increase combat distance, and we envisioned it for mounted combat," explained a senior product manager. "We experimented with a number of concepts, but the lance was the one that both handled superbly when we tested our prototypes and also made sense for the intended purpose."

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

"Mounted lance combat] is a primary functions for the spear, and it's incredibly enjoyable," the developer 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 momentum you have. So [it’s] tailor-made for jousting on horses."

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 visited The End, the developers have an delightfully absurd idea. "If you are quite advanced, [spears are] perfect for equipping the wings and flying forth and unleashing absolute pandemonium," she hints.

In other words: Sky jousting is now a reality, and it deserves to be an competitive event without delay.

Another major addition in this latest drop is the underwater mount. This sea-dwelling mob, which is based on the seashells found in-game for years, can be tamed and mounted for deep-sea journeys. Not only will it transport you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also maintain your oxygen levels, so there's no need to come up for air for fresh air.

The rest of the additions are largely things that are out to get you, as is the tradition of Minecraft. As expected, there's also a rotting sea creature popping up in the water, often with a Drowned on its back. If you succeed in defeat the Drowned, though, you can claim the zombie Nautilus — or the regular one, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've pondered this problem periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it seemed like the perfect moment to also introduce something for underwater," the lead clarifies. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a number of concepts for underwater mounts that we wanted to try out, 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 different types of zombie Nautilus: standard and coral zombie Nautilus. "[The variants] provide diversity to what you encounter underwater."

Desert Dangers and Long-Awaited Tweaks

Further inclusions include the sun-proof skeletons, biome-specific undead archers that can endure the sun, which means there's no getting away from them if you venture in that biome. Sometimes you'll see them on desiccated dromedaries, another new mob. 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 found at night with a lance-wielding undead rider on their back.

The remaining updates on the drop's list are smaller gameplay updates, including some much-anticipated adjustments to riding horses. Now, you can ford waterways while atop a horse. Also, high-tier barding is now obtainable at the workbench, so you can provide your steed with the ultimate protection it deserves.

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 constituted a considerable upgrade. Combine that with the Nautilus, and additional creatures seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a little more dangerous.

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