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The seasonal game drop for Minecraft has arrived — and it brings with it the first new weapon introduced into the game since the mace made its debut. The javelin is now available and it has the potential to change how you play Minecraft, particularly when you enjoy mayhem.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

The Mounts of Mayhem drop also incorporates a host of fresh elements and updates focused on riding animals in the game. That focus made the spear the natural choice for this release, as the development team had long felt it was the moment to introduce a new weapon.

"We knew initially that we aimed for a fresh armament that would add some more range, and we envisioned it for mounted combat," explained a senior product manager. "We tried out a few different ideas, but the lance was the one that both felt great when we tested our prototypes and also made sense for the intended purpose."

If you're asking yourself 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 combat move excellently designed for it.

"[Jousting on horses is a primary functions for the spear, and it's so much fun," the developer adds. "The spear has a dual attack system: You have the quick stab, where you pierce your enemy. But you also have a charge attack where you lower your spear and inflict greater injury [with] the more momentum you have. So [it’s] tailor-made for jousting on horses."

Sky-High Chaos and Underwater Adventures

The wild enjoyment isn't limited to there, though. If you're far enough into the game that you've been to The End, the developers have an truly outlandish idea. "If you are in the end-game, [spears are] ideal for equipping the wings and taking to the skies and unleashing absolute pandemonium," she suggests.

In other words: Sky jousting is now possible, and it needs to become an competitive event without delay.

Another significant inclusion in this fresh content is the Nautilus. This underwater creature, which is based on the seashells found in-game for years, can be domesticated and ridden for submarine exploration. Not only will it transport you through the water faster than swimming, it'll also maintain your oxygen levels, so there's no need to return to the surface for oxygen.

The remaining new features are largely things that want to kill you, as is the nature of Minecraft. As expected, there's also a undead nautilus popping up in the water, sometimes with a zombie villager on its back. If you manage to take care of the Drowned, though, you can claim the zombie Nautilus — or the standard version, for that matter — with a blowfish.

"We've pondered this problem periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it appeared to be the right time to also bring in something for the ocean depths," the lead elaborates. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a several proposals for aquatic rides that we wanted to test, but the Nautilus concept art looked impressive, and we have the tie-in to the Nautilus shell that was found within the game."

She also notes that there are actually a pair of variants of zombie Nautilus: standard and coral-infested undead mount. "[The variants] add variety to what you encounter underwater."

Desert Dangers and Long-Awaited Tweaks

Further inclusions include the Parched, biome-specific skeletons that can survive in the sun, which means there's no escape from them if you venture in that biome. Sometimes you'll see them on desiccated dromedaries, another fresh creature. These passive, zombified camels have an excellent design that sees their skeletal frame exposed. The applies equally to undead steeds, who have a comparable exposed-rib aesthetic and can sometimes be encountered after dark with a spear-carrying zombie on their back.

The last two things on the drop's list are refinements, including some much-anticipated adjustments to equestrian travel. Now, you can ford bodies of water while atop a horse. Additionally, high-tier barding is now craftable at the crafting table, so you can give your horse the top-tier safeguarding it is worthy of.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

Overall, the final game drop of the year is a pretty good one. The spear on its own — and the potential for chaos — would have seemed like a significant enhancement. Add in the Nautilus, and more things seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a little more dangerous.

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