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The seasonal content update for Minecraft has arrived — and it brings with it the initial fresh armament added to the title since the mace made its debut. The javelin is finally here and it could very well revolutionize your approach to Minecraft, especially if you thrive on pandemonium.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

The Mounts of Mayhem update also introduces several new features and updates related to riding animals in the game. That central theme made the spear the natural choice for this release, as the development team had long felt it was the moment to introduce a new weapon.

"From the outset, we understood that we desired a fresh armament that would provide extended reach, and we envisioned it for fighting from atop a creature," explained a lead developer. "We experimented with a few different ideas, but the spear was the one that both played wonderfully when we ran our trials and also was visually fitting for the intended purpose."

If you're asking yourself whether fighting from a saddle means you can tilt at your companions on horseback, the response is a definite affirmative. In fact, there's even an attack excellently designed for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is one of the biggest applications for the spear, and it's so much fun," the developer adds. "The spear has a pair of offensive moves: You have the quick stab, where you just stab your enemy. But you also have a sprinting strike where you couch your lance and inflict increased harm [with] the more pace you have. So [it’s] tailor-made for knightly combat."

Sky-High Chaos and Underwater Adventures

The chaotic fun isn't limited to there, though. If you're deep enough into the game that you've visited The End, the developers have an truly outlandish idea. "If you are very late, [spears are] ideal for strapping on the wings and flying forth and making some real mayhem," she teases.

In other words: Jousting in the clouds is now possible, and it needs to become an Olympic sport immediately.

Another key feature in this latest drop is the Nautilus. This aquatic being, which is modeled after the seashells we've all been collecting for years, can be tamed and mounted for submarine exploration. Not only will it carry you through the water faster than swimming, it'll also preserve your breath meter, so there's no necessity to surface for fresh air.

The other inclusions are mostly things that seek your demise, as is the way of Minecraft. Unsurprisingly, there's also a rotting sea creature appearing in the water, often with a zombie villager on its back. If you are able to take care of the Drowned, though, you can claim the zombie Nautilus — or the standard version, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've been thinking about this challenge on and off, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it appeared to be the right time to also bring in something for underwater," the developer explains. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a few different ideas for sea mounts that we wanted to experiment with, but the Nautilus design sketches looked striking, and we have the connection to the Nautilus shell that was pre-existing in the game."

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

Desert Dangers and Long-Awaited Tweaks

Other additions 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 environment. Sometimes you'll see them on desiccated dromedaries, another new mob. Camel husks have an notable look that sees their skeletal frame exposed. The applies equally to zombie horses, who have a analogous rib-popping design and can sometimes be encountered after dark with a spear-carrying undead rider on their back.

The last two things on the drop's list are smaller gameplay updates, including some highly requested changes to riding horses. Now, you can traverse waterways while atop a horse. Also, high-tier barding is now obtainable at the crafting table, so you can give your horse the best defense it deserves.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

In summary, the last content update of the year is a solid offering. The spear on its own — and the potential for chaos — would have felt like a significant enhancement. Combine that with the Nautilus, and additional creatures seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a touch more chaotic.

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