Mojang has announced a new major update for Minecraft titled “Mounts of Mayhem,” which will be headlined by the introduction of the spear. This addition represents the first new weapon added to the game in some time. It is also the first new tiered item, which can be crafted in progressively more durable variants, to be integrated into the game since the hoe was added in 2010.
The spear introduces new gameplay possibilities, particularly jousting. Players will have the ability to wield the weapon both on foot and while mounted on a horse. According to a developer video from Mojang detailing the new mechanics, the spear can be used for slow, long-range jabs. Alternatively, it can be used for stronger charge attacks, which deal damage based on the player’s movement speed. When a player is on horseback and at a gallop, the spear is capable of inflicting significant damage to any enemy positioned in the rider’s path.
The “Mounts of Mayhem” title also alludes to new threats players will face. It will not only be players who have access to spears; Mounted Zombies will also be equipped with them. These specific enemies will also now be found riding Zombie Horses, presenting a new challenge with similar mounted combat capabilities.
The spear will be available in several material tiers. Players can craft or upgrade the weapon to create wooden, golden, stone, copper, iron, diamond, and Netherite versions. Mojang detailed an important trade-off with these tiers: while using more advanced materials will increase the item’s durability, these materials are also heavier. This added weight makes the spear’s attacks slower, requiring players to balance durability against attack speed.
The update expands mounted combat beyond just horses. Players will be able to engage in mounted combat underwater by taming the new aquatic mob, the Nautilus. The spear can also be used while a player is airborne, soaring through the skies using Elytra wings.
Mojang has confirmed a timeline for the update’s release. Players can expect to begin testing the features from “Mounts of Mayhem” in the near future, with the company stating it will be available “soon.” The full, public release is planned for a later date. For now, Minecraft players can access the game’s latest update, “The Copper Age,” which was released today and adds friendly copper golems to the game.
