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The seasonal content update for the block-building phenomenon has touched down — and it features the first new weapon introduced into the game since the heavy club made its debut. The lance is finally here and it might just alter your gameplay in Minecraft, especially if you enjoy mayhem.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mayhem Mounts drop also introduces several new features and enhancements related to riding animals in the game. That driving concept made the spear the natural choice for this release, as the development team had already known it was the moment to introduce a new weapon.

"We knew initially that we wanted a new weapon that would add some more range, and we envisioned it for mounted combat," noted a lead developer. "We experimented with a few different ideas, but the spear was the one that both felt great when we ran our trials and also made sense for the use case."

If you're wondering whether fighting from a saddle means you can joust against your allies on horseback, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an attack perfectly suited for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is one of the biggest use cases for the spear, and it's so much fun," the developer adds. "The spear has two attacks: You have the jab attack, where you simply impale your enemy. But you also have a powerful lance where you couch your lance and deal greater injury [with] the more speed and velocity you have. So [it’s] tailor-made for mounted duels."

Aerial Mayhem & Deep-Sea Exploration

The unruly pleasure can extend beyond there, though. If you're advanced sufficiently into the game that you've visited The End, the developers have an even more ridiculous idea. "If you are very late, [spears are] excellent for equipping the wings and taking to the skies and creating genuine chaos," she teases.

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

Another major addition in this fresh content is the Nautilus. This sea-dwelling mob, which is modeled after the seashells we've all been collecting for years, can be domesticated and mounted for submarine exploration. Not only will it carry you through the water faster than swimming, it'll also preserve your oxygen levels, so there's no necessity to come up for air for a breath.

The rest of the additions are largely things that seek your demise, as is the nature of Minecraft. Naturally, there's also a undead nautilus popping up in the water, sometimes with a zombie villager on its back. If you are able to take care of the Drowned, though, you can tame the zombie Nautilus — or the regular one, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've been thinking about this issue for some time, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it appeared to be the perfect moment to also unveil something for aquatic environments," the developer clarifies. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a few different ideas for aquatic rides that we wanted to test, but the Nautilus initial artwork looked compelling, and we have the connection to the Nautilus shell that was found within the game."

She also points out that there are actually two different types of undead nautilus: regular and coral zombie Nautilus. "[The variants] provide diversity to what you discover underwater."

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Further inclusions include the Parched, biome-specific undead archers that can endure the sun, which means there's no refuge from them if you end up in that region. Sometimes you'll see them on desiccated dromedaries, another new mob. These passive, zombified camels have an excellent design that sees their bones protruding. The same goes for undead steeds, who have a analogous rib-popping design and can sometimes be spawned in the darkness with a spear-carrying zombie on their back.

The remaining updates on the drop's list are smaller gameplay updates, including some long-overdue adjustments to riding horses. Now, you can traverse bodies of water while atop a horse. Additionally, netherite horse armor is now craftable at the workbench, so you can provide your steed with the ultimate protection it is worthy of.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

Overall, the final game drop of the year is a solid offering. The spear by itself — and the mayhem it enables — would have constituted a considerable upgrade. 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.