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The winter game drop for the block-building phenomenon has touched down — and it brings with it the initial fresh armament added to the title since the mace made its debut. The lance is now available and it could very well change how you play Minecraft, especially if you thrive on pandemonium.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mayhem Mounts update also adds a host of fresh elements and updates centered around animal mounts in the game. That focus made the spear the natural choice for this update, as the development team had already known it was time for a fresh combat tool.

"From the outset, we understood that we aimed for a fresh armament that would add some more range, and we wanted it to be fighting from atop a creature," explained a senior product manager. "We prototyped a number of concepts, but the spear was the one that both played wonderfully when we ran our trials and also was visually fitting for the use case."

If you're asking yourself whether mounted combat means you can joust against your allies on horseback, the answer is a definite affirmative. In fact, there's even an attack perfectly suited for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is a major functions for the spear, and it's incredibly enjoyable," 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 sprinting strike where you couch your lance and get greater injury [with] the more speed and velocity you have. So [it’s] ideal for mounted duels."

Sky-High Chaos and Underwater Adventures

The unruly pleasure can extend beyond there, though. If you're far enough into the game that you've been to The End, the developers have an even more ridiculous idea. "If you are very late, [spears are] ideal for equipping the wings and flying forth and creating genuine chaos," she teases.

In other words: Aerial lance combat is now a reality, and it deserves to be an Olympic sport right away.

Another major addition in this new update is the underwater mount. This underwater creature, which is based on the nautilus shells found in-game for years, can be tamed and mounted for deep-sea journeys. Not only will it move you through the water more swiftly than swimming, it'll also preserve your breath meter, so there's no need to come up for air for a breath.

The other inclusions are mostly things that are out to get you, as is the tradition of Minecraft. Naturally, there's also a zombie Nautilus spawning in the water, often with a Drowned on its back. If you are able to dispatch the Drowned, though, you can tame the zombie Nautilus — or the regular one, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've long considered this challenge periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it appeared to be the ideal opportunity to also introduce something for underwater," the lead explains. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a few different ideas for sea mounts that we wanted to try out, but the Nautilus design sketches looked compelling, and we have the connection to the Nautilus shell that was found within the game."

She also adds that there are actually two different types of undead nautilus: standard and coral zombie Nautilus. "[The variants] add variety to what you discover underwater."

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Additional features include the Parched, biome-specific undead archers that can endure the sun, which means there's no getting away from them if you find yourself in that environment. Sometimes you'll see them on camel husks, another fresh creature. These passive, zombified camels have an notable look that sees their bones protruding. The same goes for zombie horses, who have a comparable exposed-rib aesthetic and can sometimes be found at night with a spear-carrying undead rider on their back.

The remaining updates on the drop's list are smaller gameplay updates, including some long-overdue changes to equestrian travel. Now, you can ford rivers and lakes while riding a horse. Furthermore, netherite horse armor is now craftable at the crafting table, so you can provide your steed with the ultimate protection it deserves.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

Overall, the last content update of the year is a solid offering. The spear on its own — and the pandemonium it invites — would have seemed like a considerable upgrade. Throw in the Nautilus, and additional creatures trying to kill you, and Minecraft's definitely getting a touch more chaotic.

The Mounts of Mayhem content drop is out now for Java and Bedrock editions of Minecraft.