Mojang has announced a new major update for Minecraft titled “Mounts of Mayhem,” introducing the spear, the game’s first new weapon in some time and its first new tiered item since the hoe was added in 2010.
The spear introduces new gameplay possibilities, particularly jousting, allowing players to wield it on foot or while mounted on a horse. According to a developer video from Mojang, the spear can be used for slow, long-range jabs or stronger charge attacks that deal damage based on the player’s movement speed. When on horseback and at a gallop, the spear inflicts significant damage to enemies in the rider’s path.
The “Mounts of Mayhem” title also alludes to new threats, as Mounted Zombies will be equipped with spears and ride Zombie Horses, presenting a new challenge with similar mounted combat capabilities.
The spear will be available in several material tiers, including wooden, golden, stone, copper, iron, diamond, and Netherite versions. Mojang noted that while more advanced materials increase the spear’s durability, they are also heavier, making the spear’s attacks slower and requiring players to balance durability against attack speed.
The update expands mounted combat beyond horses, allowing players to engage in mounted combat underwater by taming the new aquatic mob, the Nautilus, and use the spear while airborne with Elytra wings.
Mojang has confirmed that players can expect to test the “Mounts of Mayhem” features soon, with a full public release planned for a later date. The game’s latest update, “The Copper Age,” was released today, adding friendly copper golems to the game.
