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The winter game drop for the block-building phenomenon has landed — and it includes the first new weapon introduced into the title since the mace made its debut. The lance is now available and it might just change how you play Minecraft, particularly when you thrive on pandemonium.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mayhem Mounts drop also incorporates several new features and updates centered around riding animals in the game. That driving concept made the spear the ideal addition for this release, as the creators had long felt it was time for a new weapon.

"We knew initially that we aimed for a fresh armament that would provide extended reach, and we wanted it to be mounted combat," noted a lead developer. "We experimented with a few different ideas, but the spear was the one that both felt great when we ran our trials and also looked good for the use case."

If you're asking yourself whether fighting from a saddle means you can charge at your companions on steeds, the response is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an attack perfectly suited for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is one of the biggest applications for the spear, and it's incredibly enjoyable," the developer says. "The spear has a dual attack system: You have the jab attack, where you just stab your enemy. But you also have a charge attack where you couch your lance and get increased harm [with] the more pace you have. So [it’s] perfect for mounted duels."

Aerial Mayhem & Deep-Sea Exploration

The chaotic fun can extend beyond 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 very late, [spears are] ideal for strapping on the wings and going out and making some real mayhem," she suggests.

In other words: Sky jousting is now possible, and it deserves to be an Olympic sport without delay.

Another major addition in this latest drop is the Nautilus. This underwater creature, which is based on the nautilus shells found in-game for years, can be tamed and ridden for deep-sea journeys. Not only will it carry you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also conserve your breath meter, so there's no need to come up for air for oxygen.

The remaining new features are primarily things that seek your demise, as is the tradition of Minecraft. Naturally, there's also a undead nautilus popping up in the water, often with a Drowned on its back. If you manage to defeat the Drowned, though, you can claim the undead mount — or the standard version, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've long considered this problem periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it seemed like the perfect moment to also introduce something for the ocean depths," the developer elaborates. "For the Nautilus specifically, we had a number of concepts for aquatic rides that we wanted to test, but the Nautilus concept art looked impressive, and we have the link to the Nautilus shell that was already in the game."

She also notes that there are actually two distinct kinds of zombie Nautilus: regular and coral zombie Nautilus. "[The variants] give some flavor to what you discover underwater."

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Further inclusions include the sun-proof skeletons, biome-specific skeletons that can survive in the sun, which means there's no escape from them if you find yourself in that biome. Sometimes you'll see them on desiccated dromedaries, another new mob. Camel husks have an excellent design that sees their skeletal frame exposed. The applies equally to undead steeds, who have a analogous rib-popping design and can sometimes be encountered after dark with a lance-wielding undead rider on their back.

The final pair of items on the drop's list are minor quality-of-life improvements, including some much-anticipated adjustments to equestrian travel. Now, you can ford bodies of water while mounted on a horse. Additionally, high-tier barding is now craftable at the workbench, so you can provide your steed with the top-tier safeguarding it is worthy of.

A Spicy Send-Off for the Year

Overall, the last content update of the year is a notable addition. The spear alone — and the pandemonium it invites — would have constituted a significant enhancement. Throw in the Nautilus, and more things seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a bit spicier.

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