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The winter content update for the block-building phenomenon has arrived — and it includes the first new weapon introduced into the game since the heavy club made its debut. The javelin is finally here and it has the potential to revolutionize your approach to Minecraft, particularly when you love chaos.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

The Mounts of Mayhem update also introduces a host of fresh elements and enhancements centered around riding animals in the game. That central theme made the spear the perfect fit for this release, as the development team had long felt it was time for a fresh combat tool.

"From the outset, we understood that we wanted a new weapon that would provide extended reach, and we designed it specifically for mounted combat," noted a senior product manager. "We prototyped a few different ideas, but the lance was the one that both played wonderfully when we tested our prototypes and also made sense for the use case."

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

"Mounted lance combat] is a major use cases for the spear, and it's a blast," the lead says. "The spear has a dual attack system: You have the quick stab, where you pierce 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] perfect for jousting on horses."

Sky-High Chaos and Underwater Adventures

The wild enjoyment isn't limited to there, though. If you're advanced sufficiently into the game that you've been to The End, the developers have an even more ridiculous idea. "If you are in the end-game, [spears are] ideal for equipping the elytra and taking to the skies and making some real mayhem," she hints.

In other words: Sky jousting is now a reality, and it should be made an Olympic sport right away.

Another major addition in this latest drop is the underwater mount. This underwater creature, which is based on the nautilus shells players have gathered for years, can be domesticated and mounted for submarine exploration. Not only will it carry you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also maintain your oxygen levels, so there's no requirement to come up for air for oxygen.

The other inclusions are mostly things that want to kill you, as is the way of Minecraft. As expected, there's also a rotting sea creature popping up in the water, frequently with a zombie villager on its back. If you manage to dispatch the Drowned, though, you can claim the undead mount — or the standard version, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've been thinking about this problem periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it appeared to be the right time to also introduce something for aquatic environments," the lead elaborates. "For the Nautilus specifically, we had a several proposals for sea mounts that we wanted to experiment with, but the Nautilus initial artwork 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: regular and coral zombie Nautilus. "[The variants] add variety to what you find underwater."

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Further inclusions include the sun-proof skeletons, biome-specific undead archers that can withstand the sun, which means there's no getting away from them if you find yourself in that biome. Sometimes you'll see them on zombified camels, another new mob. These passive, zombified camels have an notable look that sees their ribs poking out. The applies equally to zombie horses, who have a analogous exposed-rib aesthetic and can sometimes be found at night with a spear-carrying undead rider on their back.

The final pair of items on the drop's list are smaller gameplay updates, including some highly requested changes to riding horses. Now, you can cross waterways while riding a horse. Furthermore, high-tier barding is now obtainable at the workbench, so you can give your horse the ultimate protection it deserves.

A Spicy Send-Off for the Year

Overall, the year-end release of the year is a pretty good one. The spear alone — and the pandemonium it invites — would have constituted a considerable upgrade. Add in the Nautilus, and additional creatures trying to kill you, and Minecraft's definitely getting a bit spicier.

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