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The seasonal content update for Minecraft has arrived — and it includes the first new weapon introduced into the title since the heavy club made its debut. The spear is finally here and it has the potential to change how you play Minecraft, particularly when you thrive on pandemonium.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mayhem Mounts update also introduces a host of fresh elements and updates centered around animal mounts in the game. That driving concept made the spear the ideal addition for this update, as the creators had long felt it was the moment to introduce a fresh combat tool.

"We knew initially that we desired a new weapon that would provide extended reach, and we wanted it to be mounted combat," stated a senior product manager. "We tried out a few different ideas, but the spear was the one that both handled superbly when we tested our prototypes and also looked good for the intended purpose."

If you're curious 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 excellently designed for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is a major use cases for the spear, and it's incredibly enjoyable," the lead continues. "The spear has two attacks: You have the quick stab, where you just stab your enemy. But you also have a charge attack where you lower your spear and inflict increased harm [with] the more speed and velocity you have. So [it’s] perfect for knightly combat."

Aerial Mayhem & Deep-Sea Exploration

The unruly pleasure isn't limited to there, though. If you're deep enough into the game that you've visited The End, the developers have an even more ridiculous idea. "If you are in the end-game, [spears are] excellent for strapping on the wings and going out and making some real mayhem," she hints.

In other words: Jousting in the clouds is now real, and it needs to become an Olympic sport without delay.

Another significant inclusion in this latest drop is the Nautilus. This underwater creature, which is modeled after the seashells players have gathered for years, can be tamed and ridden for underwater travel. Not only will it transport you through the water faster than swimming, it'll also maintain your oxygen levels, so there's no necessity to surface for oxygen.

The rest of the additions are primarily things that want to kill you, as is the nature of Minecraft. As expected, there's also a undead nautilus spawning in the water, sometimes with a Drowned on its back. If you manage to dispatch the Drowned, though, you can befriend the undead mount — or the standard version, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've long considered this problem for some time, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it appeared to be the ideal opportunity to also unveil something for underwater," the lead clarifies. "For the Nautilus specifically, we had a several proposals for underwater mounts that we wanted to test, but the Nautilus design sketches looked compelling, and we have the connection to the Nautilus shell that was already in the game."

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

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Additional features include the Parched, desert-exclusive undead archers that can endure the sun, which means there's no escape from them if you end up in that biome. Sometimes you'll see them on zombified camels, another new mob. Camel husks have an notable look that sees their skeletal frame exposed. The same goes for zombie horses, who have a analogous exposed-rib aesthetic and can sometimes be found at night with a lance-wielding zombie on their back.

The remaining updates on the drop's list are minor quality-of-life improvements, including some much-anticipated changes to equestrian travel. Now, you can cross waterways while atop a horse. Additionally, high-tier barding is now obtainable at the workbench, so you can give your horse the top-tier safeguarding it is worthy of.

A Spicy Send-Off for the Year

In summary, the year-end release of the year is a pretty good one. The spear alone — and the potential for chaos — would have constituted a major improvement. Add in the Nautilus, and additional creatures seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a bit spicier.

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