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The seasonal game drop for the block-building phenomenon has landed — and it includes the initial fresh armament added to the game since the mace made its debut. The lance is now available and it could very well change how you play Minecraft, particularly when you thrive on pandemonium.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

The Mayhem Mounts update also incorporates several new features and enhancements related to animal mounts in the game. That driving concept made the spear the natural choice for this release, as the creators had already known it was time for a new weapon.

"We knew initially that we wanted a new weapon that would increase combat distance, and we wanted it to be mounted combat," explained a senior product manager. "We tried out a number of concepts, but the spear was the one that both handled superbly when we tested our prototypes and also made sense for the intended purpose."

If you're curious whether mounted combat means you can charge at your friends on steeds, the answer is a definite affirmative. In fact, there's even an attack perfectly suited for it.

"[Jousting on horses is a major use cases for the spear, and it's so much fun," the lead adds. "The spear has a pair of offensive moves: You have the thrust, where you just stab your enemy. But you also have a sprinting strike where you lower your spear and deal increased harm [with] the more pace you have. So [it’s] tailor-made for mounted duels."

Aerial Mayhem & Deep-Sea Exploration

The wild enjoyment isn't limited to there, though. If you're deep enough into the game that you've explored The End, the developers have an truly outlandish idea. "If you are quite advanced, [spears are] excellent for strapping on the wings and going out and making some real mayhem," she teases.

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

Another key feature in this latest drop is the underwater mount. This aquatic being, which is based on the seashells found in-game for years, can be domesticated and mounted for submarine exploration. Not only will it transport you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also maintain your air supply, so there's no necessity to surface for oxygen.

The remaining new features are mostly things that are out to get you, as is the nature of Minecraft. Unsurprisingly, there's also a rotting sea creature popping up in the water, often with a zombie villager on its back. If you manage to defeat the Drowned, though, you can claim the undead mount — or the standard version, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've pondered this issue on and off, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it felt like the ideal opportunity to also unveil something for the ocean depths," the lead clarifies. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a few different ideas for aquatic rides that we wanted to try out, but the Nautilus initial artwork looked striking, and we have the link to the Nautilus shell that was pre-existing in the game."

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

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Further inclusions include the sun-proof skeletons, desert-exclusive undead archers that can withstand the sun, which means there's no escape from them if you end up in that region. Sometimes you'll see them on camel husks, another new mob. Camel husks have an striking appearance that sees their bones protruding. The applies equally to zombie horses, who have a comparable exposed-rib aesthetic 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 refinements, including some long-overdue changes to equestrian travel. Now, you can cross rivers and lakes while riding a horse. Additionally, netherite horse armor is now craftable at the crafting table, so you can give your horse the top-tier safeguarding it is worthy of.

A Spicy Send-Off for the Year

Overall, the year-end release of the year is a notable addition. The spear by itself — and the potential for chaos — would have felt like a significant enhancement. Throw in the Nautilus, and additional creatures seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a little more dangerous.

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